Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1899-03-16

NOW Z u IL Il
the instrument against his knee Ey
Wind, the ancient lord of the tower,
raised his eyes from their long scru
tiny of the fire.
"Now you have finished" he said,
''and you voiced your pretty love
songs so low that I 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 mem-
o1es, wakenedi by twang Of 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, 'and 1
deemed them not worthy your atten-
ton"
"By Olaf and his swol'dl things
hare changed minghily," cried Lord
Eyvind. "When true love first came
to me was more of fighter than q
singer, but, nevertheless, Imade songs
in praise'of her, and I deemed them
meet for the ears of any gathering, be
it OF slaves or kings, gods OF fair
women"
Alfgars cheeks famed red.
Sir, neither am I ashamed Of my
verses, nor of her who insires them.
They lie near my heart md are white
angels Of comfort and sing them for
my own pleasure, rocking not if other
ears hear or remain deaf"
The old man smiled, and hic gaze
returned to the cracking fagots.
Il will tell you the story of my love
of the love that laughed at danger
and swordblades and won princess, "
he said
Tbe Rngers of the freight sprang
along the dusty weapons and red
dened the great shields on the wall,
~ - -r H-iO ON ioA u "V-0 Inn
of life and yalor again, as he told his
romance.
sdy great-grandsire, Salten Wolf
head, builded this tower many years
ago, for shelter and stronghold
for his sailors and fighting men. His
greater house stood twenty miles to
the north, 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. He saw in it q safe haven for
his returning ships, At the narrow
crook of the entrance he piled up 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 a strong
fighting tower-a welcome haven for
his returning plumber ships, but
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. L 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 Wolfhead's terrace. Salten
Wolfhead was inland, seeing to his
farms. His viking ships were far out
on the sea- So the strangers swarmed
ashore, slew the 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 great bonfire
that threw an angry stain over the
summer sea. Off the east coast of
Shetland they were met by four of old
Salten's ships, returning with fair
plunder Of gold and silks from the
South. 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 GundaI.
The years went by in war and
peace, feasting and sorrow, and in the
time of my father the great house
north Of Drontheim passed into the
hands Of friend of the new Bishops.
1t matters nothing to my story how
this befell. We came to Salten Tower,
which became fortress and house in
one.
In my twentieth year my sire
builded new ship, not over large, |
but most cleverly fitted and of great
speed. This be gave to me, with his
blessing.
''There is the same old plumber in
tie South" he said. Rowers and |
lighting men came to me quickly when
Il was known that Eyvind, the young
ord, wcul4 cruise southwark in a ]