The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-03-21


now leaned
ihe instrument against his knee. Ely
Wind, the ancient lord of the tower,
raised his eyes from their long scru.
Tiny of the fire.
Now you have finished" he said,
land you voiced your pretty love
songs so low that 1 could scarce hear
them. All, my young poet, do you
think that the weight of many years
and the wisdom of gray hairs have
hardened my heart against love and
music? Know then, Alfgar, that men,
bries, wnkenedI by twang of n harp
cord, are as dear to me as the touch
Of your lady's hand to you"
They were poor things, of my own
making replied the youth, land L
deemed them not worthy your atten-
tion."
by Olaf and his sword! things
have changed minghily," cried Lord
Eyvind. when true love first came
to me I was more of q fighter than a
singer, but, nevertheless, Imade songs
in praise-of her, and [ deemed them
meet for the ears of any gathering, he
1t OF slaves or kings, gods or fGir
women"
Alfgar's cheeks famed red.
''Sir, neither am | ashamed of nv
verses, nor OF her who lnslres them.
They lie near my heart and are white
angels of comfort and L sing them for
my own pleasure, rocking not if other
ears hear or remain deaf"
The old man smiled, and his gaze
returned to the cracking fagots.
" will tell you the story of my love
OF the love that laughed at danger
and sword-blades and won princess. "
he said.
The fingers of the freight sprang
along the dusty weapons and red
dened the great shields on the wall.
and the eyes of the old lord were full
of life and valor again, as he told his
romance.
My great-graudsire, Salten Wolf
head, builded this tower many years
ago, Tor shelter and stronghold
for his sailors and fighting men. His
greater house stood twenty miles to
the norp}, on the coast, and stands
there even now under the rule of
strangers. 1t was the snug harbor
here that captured the heart of Wolf
head. lie saw in it safe haven for
his returning ships. At the narrow
crook OF the entrance he piled mp this
stout tower. You have seen how the
turrets and the walls along the stairs
are Topped for archery. You have
noticed the huge, uneven stones
gathered in loose heaps on the battle
ments. Yes, he made it strong
fighting tower-a welcome haven for
his returning plumber ships, but n
menace to the ships that followed, red
with war shields.
Now it came to pass, during the
third year after the building Of the
tower, In the early days of June. that
Lady Gundal, the kings cousin, came
to the northern house to visit the lady
OF Salten Wolfhead These women
were distantly of the same blood, and
though the Lady Gundal was by far
the younger. and unwed, the people
could not say which face or which
form held the more beauty. will
unfold you this part Of the story
quickly, for it is naught but history.
just before the lift OF the summer
dawn four dragon ships, OF lighter
and lower shape than ours Of the
North, dropped anchor at the foot OF
Salten Wolthead's terrace. Salten
Wolihead was inland, seeing to his
farms. His viking ships we're far ont
on the sea. So the strangers swarmed
ashore, slew tho guards, flung down
the gates and carried away the women.
Then the prows Of their ships turned
south again and behind them the
Wolfhead's barns made n great bon fire
mat threw ON angry stain over the
summer sea. OF the cast coagt of
shetland they were met by four Of old
-tlten's ships, returning with fair
under Of gold and silks from the
5outh. Straightway = most daring
and valorous fight took place and the
stranger prince sailed out Of IT with
but one Of his stout boats-but with
That boat went the Lady Gundal
The years went by i'm war and
peace, feasting and sorrow, and i'm the
time Of my father tho great house
north Of Drcutheim passed into the
hands Of friend Of tho new Bishops.
II matters nothing 10 my story how
this bcfclI. We came 60 SaItou Tower.
which became fortress and house i'm
one.
In my twentieth year my Giro
bnlldcd q new ship, not over large.
but most cIevcrly fitted and Of great
speed. This he gave TO mo, Will bis
blessing
There ia the samo old plunder in
tho south" 10 said. R0wers and
fighting men came to me quickly when
81 was known that Eyvind, the young
lord, would cruise southwark in a