The sun., 1891-01-11

With time mon change their temper. On.
less mistake. this Ospakar wills above all to
have Gudruda In marriage. for. now that
everything is his, this alone is left for him to
ask-the fairest woman in Iceland as house.
| wife. Bethink thee. with Ospakar for son in
law, who Is there that can stand against thee p
am not SO sure Of this matter, nor do
altogether trust thee. Groa. or = truth II
seems to mo that thou hast some stake upon
the race. This Ospakar Is evil and hideous.
1t were shame to give Gudruda over to him
whom she looks elsewhere. Knowest thou that
1swore to love and cherish her. and how runs
this with my oath2 II Eric be not overrich.
yet be is Of good birth and kin. and, moreover.
man OF mon. II he take her good will come"
1t is like thee. Asmund, ever to mistrust
those who spend their days in plotting for thy
veal, Do AZ thou wilt let Eric take this white
treasure OF thine-for whom earls would give
thelr state-to live to rue It But say this:
II he have thy leave to roam here with his
dove the matter will soon grow, for these two
sicken each to each. and young blood 10 hot
and unnpt at waiting. and II 10 not always
snow time. So betroth her or let him 60.
And now have said"
Thy tongue runs too fast Tho man is all
improved and will try him. To- morrow I
will warn him from my door; then things shall
60 as they are fated. And now peace. for
weary Of thy talk. and. moreover. 1t Is false:
for one thing thou lackest-a little honesty to
season all thy craft What fec hath Ospakar
paid thee. marvel. Thou at least hadst never
refused tho gold ring to night for thou wouldst
do much for gold"
And moro for love. and most Of all for
hate" she said. and laughed aloud: nor did
they speak moro on this matter that night.
Now. carly In the morning. Asmund rose.
u-l-
BY the centre hearth. saying he would talk
with him without. and Eric followed him to the
back Of the hall.
Say. now. Eric" hs said. whom they stood
in the gray light without the house. who was
1t taught thee that kisses keep out tho cold on
snowy days."
Now Eric redeemed to his yellow hair. but he
answered. Who was 1t that told thee. lord.
that tried this medicine9"
The snow hides much, but there arc eyes
that can pierce the snow. Nay, moro. thou vast
seen. and there's an end. Now know this-I like
thee we'll, but Gudruda 10 not for thee: she is
far above thee. who art but deedless bonder." ="
Then love to little end" said Eric: Il long
for one thing only. and that is Gudruda. 1t
was in my mind to ask her In marriage OF thee
this very day"
Then. lad. thou hast thy answer before
thou askest- Be sure OF ono thing: but once
again ind thee alone with Gudruda, 1t Is my
axe shall kiss thee and not her lips"
THAT may yet be put to the proof lord"
| said Eric. and turned to seek his horse. when
suddenly Gudruda came and stood between
them. ami his heart leapt at the sight Of her.
"Hearken. Gudruda." he said This is
thy fathers word. that We speak together no
more"
Then 1t is an Ill rede for u.s." said Gudruda.
| laying her hand upon her breast
"Reds good or iii. so 1t surely Is, girl" an
swered Asmund. mo moro shalt thou 20
a-kissing in the snow or In the howera''
Now seem to hear svanAid.s voice." she
said. we'll. suoh things have happened to
better folk. and . fathers wish 10 to q maid
what the wind is to the grass. Still. tho sun L.
behind the cloud and will shine again some
day. Till then. Eric. fare thee we'll"
1t Is not thy Will lord" said Eric. that
come to thy Yule feast - thou hast biddsn
me these ten years gone"
Now Asmund grew wrath. and pointed with
his hand toward the great Golden Falls that
thunder down the mountain. named stonsfell
that Is behind Middalhoi. and there are no
greater falls In Iceland.
"A man may take two roads. Erio from Cold
back to Middalhof. one by tho bride path over
Coldback and tho other down Golden Falls:
but I never know man to choose this last
Now. I bid thee to my feast by the path over
Golden Falls: and. II thou CONTEST that way.
this promise thee: II thou livest will greet
thee well. and II find thee dead In the great
pool will bind on thy hell Shoes and lay thee
to earth nelehborly fashion. But II thou comest
hy any other path. then my thrslls shall cut
thee down at my door," And he stroked his
beard and laughed.
Now Asmund spoke thus mookingly because
he did not hold 1t possible that any man should
try the path OF the Golden Falls.
Eric smiled and said: hold thee to thy
word: perchance l shall be thy guest at Yule." T"
But Gudruda heard the thunder OF tho
mighty falls a. the wind turned. and cried.
NAY nay-it vsre thy DEATH"
Then Eric nnds his horse and rides away
across the snow.
Now It must bs told Of Kon the Half.wittsd
that at length he came to Swinefell In tho
north. having journeyed hard across the snow.
Here Ospakar Blaoktooth had his great hail,
wherein day By day hundred mon sat down
to meat. Now the thrAl entered the hall .
Ospakar was at supper. and looked on him
with big eyes. for he had never seen 80 won
drous man. He was huge In stature-his
hair was black. and black his beard. and on
his lower lip there lay great black fang. His
eyes were small and marrow, but his cheek
bones were set Wide apart and high. like those
OF horse. Kohl thought him an Ill man to
deal with. and half troll, and grew AFRAID OF
bis errsnd. since in Kolls half wittedness there
was much cunning-for 1t was . cloak ln which
he wrapped himself But Ospsksr saw him IS
he sat In the high seat clothed In purple
robe. with his sword White-Firs on his knee.
and called aloud In great voice;
who Is this rod fox that crssps into my
earthf"
For. to look on. Koll was like . fox.
my name IL Koll tho Hall Wittsd. 0roa's
thralL Am welcome hers1" he answered
THAT Is as 1t may bs. Why do they call thee
half vittsdT
because love not work over much. lord"
Then all my thralls are fellow to thee. Say.
what brings thee here p
This. lord. It WAS told among men down
In tho south that thou wouldst rive good gift
TO him who should discover to thee the fsirest
maid in Icelsnd. 30 ersvsd leave OF my mis-
tress to como on . journey and tell thee OF her"
"Thsn lie was told thea StiIl. love to
hear OF fair maids. and seek one for wife II she
ho h,,< fui >noo~h So anaak nm X Koll fha FOr