The sun., 1891-01-11
ERIC BRIGH9EYES.
Rv H. RIDER HAGGARD.
CHAPTER III.


,.xuxp sApE ERIC TO HIS YuLn rEAsr.
v,v,t vss supper time. ana men sat at meat
In. ,bs women waited upon them. But al
~ r.nt TO and fro. sweet to see. Gudruda
s.d ~ .,ss for Eric alone. and Swanhild watched
.h.r botb Supper helng over. people gath
.-.d .round tho hearth. and. having finished
s.r ..ryoe Gudruda came and sat BY Eric, 80
.h., hsr sleeve might touch his arm. They
.nots no word, but thers they sat and were
h.nnv svanhild saw and bit her Lip. Now
sha vas seated BY Asmund and Born hts son.
I'm sooth. foster father" she said. yonder
ej; pretty nsir."
"rhst cannot be gainsaysd." auoth Asmund.
.Ons may ride many days to 500 such another
man A Eric Brighteyes, and no such maid a.
gudruda flowers between Middalhof and Lon =.
don town, unless 1t be thou. Swanhild. Well.
an her mother said that it should be. aud with
ont doubt she was iore.ighted At her death"
Way. n.me me not with Gudruda. foster
father; am but gray Roose By thy white
avan. But these shall bs we'll we'd and that
will bs good match for Eric"
Let not thy tongue run on so fast" said
Asmund sharply. who told thee that Erio
should have Gudruda 2"
None told me. but In truth. having eyes and
sars. grew sure Of It. Look at them now !:
surely lovers wear such face"
Now It chanced that Gudruda had rested her
chin on her hand and was gazing into Erio's
eyes beneath the shadow Of her hair.
"Msthinks my sister will look higher than 70
wed q simple bomber. though hs be large as
Two other men," said Bj0rn with sneer. Now
Bjorn vas' Jealous Of Erics strength and
beauty and loved him not.
Trust nothing that thou seest and little
that thou nearest. girl" said Asmund. raising
himself from thought; SO shall thy Euesses
bs good Eric. come hither and tell US how
thou dldst chance on Gudruda In tho snow"
Twas not so III seated but that could bear
TO stay" grumbled Eric beneath his breath /:
but Gudruda said Go"
80 hs went and told his talst but not all Of It,
for hswas minded to ask Gudruds In marriage
on tho morrow. though his heart prophesied
no luck 10 the matter. aud therefore hs was not
ovsrswlft with it.
In this thing thou hast done me and mine
good service" said Asmund coldly. searching
Eric's face with his blue eyes. II had boon Ill
II my fair daughter had perishsd In tho snow.
for. know this: would set her high In mar
rags. for her honor and tho honor Of my house.
and So had some rich and noble man lost great
Joy. But take thou this gift in memory OF the
deed and Gudruds's husband shall give thee
another such upon tho day he makes her wife, u
and he drew gold ring on his arm.
Now Eric's knees trembled as he heard. and
lis heart grew faint as though with fear. But
lie spoke fair and straight:
Thy gift had been better without thy words.
ring giver: but beg thee take 1t back. for
have done nothing to win 1t, though perhaps
the time shall ooms when I ask thee for .
richer
ny gifts have never been put away" said
Asmund. growing angry
This wealthy bonder holds the good gold OF
little worth. 1t is foolish to take ash to the
sea- my father" snsersd Bjorn.
Nay. Biorn. not so" Eric answered; but. as
thou sayest. am but Q bonder. and stnoe my
father, Thorgrimur Iron-Toe. died things have
not gone over we'll on Ran River. But at tho
least am Q Tree man. and will take no gifts
that cannot repay worth for worth. There
fore will not have the ring"
As thou wilt" said Asmund. Pride 10 .
good horse IL thou ridest wisely" and he thrust
tho ring ba, upon his arm.
Now people 20 to rest but 6wsnhild seeks
hHr mother. and tells her all that has befsllen
her. nor docs Groa fall to listen.
Now will make . plan." she says, "for
these things have chsnced we'll. and Asmund
Is In ripe humor. Eric shall come no more 10
Aiddshof till Gudruds Is gone hence led By
Ospakar Blscktooth."
And II Eric como not hero. how shall 500
his bonny face ? for. mother, Am fain OF the
sight Of It,"
That Is thy matter, thou lovesick fool
Know this that il Eric comes hither and gets
speech with Gudrucn there Is an end OF thy
hopes; for fair as thou art. she is too fair for
'noe. and strong as thou Art, In Q way she is
700 strong Thou hast heard how these two
io'o' And such q 1--we mocks at tho will OF
iS'nerA Eric will win his desire or die be-
meath the swords ofAsmund and Bj6rn, II suoh
men can prevail against his might Nay. tho
won Eric must be fenced from tho lamb till he
kro's hungry Then let him search tho fold
ana make spoil of thee. for when tho best 10
gone 10 Will desire tho good"
90 90 IT. mother. As / sat crouchsd behind
ouoiuda In the snow at Coldback. was half
m'naed to ~ her love words with this knife.
'osnould have been free Of her"
Ay and last in the doom ring. thou Wild
Inc gods help this Eric. II thou winnsst
. u.n. nay choose thy time, and. II thou must
sHke, STRIKE secretly and home. Remember.
fo .nat cunning is mightier than siren 9Th.
ul Ma' lies pierce !u.ther than swords and that
1encrsit wins where honesty must fail. Now
VIII 70 Asmund, and he shall bs an angry
"an before Tomorrow comes"
iasn Groa went to tho shut bed whore As
huhd inc Priest slept He was sitting on tho
0ea AND asked her why she came,
4, for love OF thee. Asmund. and thy house.
Mouen thou dost treat mo Ill. who hast profit.
aso deeply by me and my ior esixht. Say
op oos' wit thou that this daughter OF thine,
oudruda the Fair should be the light May OF
'oaaer lonR.leggeL yeomsn3"
Ihat 10 not In my mind" said Asmund.
sloSing his beard.
90 knowest thou that this very day your
sS,' sSs endruds sat on Erics Ian in the snow,
a's ayt no 'ondle her to his hearts conteut?"
NAe enough 1t was for warmth. Men
s,ssm .,1 not on love In the hour OF death. Who
N, 'sld sSA'hild who Was behind. and hid hsrself
w. 'aane and therefore she held that those
nv must soon be wed! All. thou art foolish
s' sN,s As"und. Young blood makes light Of
s,sH.Nh. aNh. Art thou blind. or dost thou not
Al ns.,.e WISE two turn to each other as birds
,ho, ~. 80. Nigh do worse" said Asmund. "for
tb., As proper pair and 1t is in my mind
s,s s.en wa born for each"
.aeh al GOES we'll. Still. IL is pity TO see
su maid cast like rotton bait unon IN.