Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-20

And so the Valkyria had, though with
little of free will as on that day when her
runaway Steed carried her out of the press
of the fleeing army. At the first call of the
horn, Black Ymer had taken the bronze bit
between his teeth and followed, and his
riders one concern in life became-not the
guiding of him-but the staying on. Before
they left the first thicket her mantle was
torn from her shoulders, and she was lying
along his neck, now on this SIDE now on
that, to escape the whipping twigs that
lashed at her, threatening to cut out her
eyes. From the thicket out into the open,
from her body but the flesh from her bones!
against her would blow not only the clothes
from her body but the flesh from her bones!
Far ahead, where the little valley ended
and the wood began again, she caught a
feeting glimpse of the boar as it burst CO.
vert with the yelping pack at its heels and
was for one instant revealed, snarling, bare
tusked and fiecked with bloody foam. Then
it Owed again under cover and was gone in
new direction. Canutes horn sounded
recall, and one by one the hunters checked
their onward rush and wheeled.
Black Ymers rider also tried to obey. but
all the strength of her body was not enough
to sway him by hairs breadth. On he
shot into the thicket.
He will have enough sense to stop when
he finds out that he Is Alone was her de-
spairing thought.
But he continued to forge ahead like a
race horse-in uneven leaps as though some
sound from behind were urging him on.
Suddenly, through the roaring of her ears.
1t broke upon her that he was not alone,
that at least one horse was following. Its
approaching tread was like thunder in the
stiffness. If it could but get ahead of her,
all would be well. Her heart beat hopefully
as the jar sounded nearer and nearer When
the snorting noStrilS seemed at the Black
Ones very flank, at the risk of her neck
she turned her head
Looking, she understood why steed had
been given her which should carry her out
Of Elfgiva's reach, for the horseman who
was even now stretching his gauntleted
hand toward her rein was the king himself.
No one followed, and the forest around them
was silent vault. At last, he was free
to speak his mind.
Under the drag of his hand, the horse
came slowly to a halt and stood painting
and trembling in the middle of little dell.
For while, she could do no more than
cling to the saddle-bow sick with dizziness
Still holding her rein, her royal guardian
sat regarding her critically. Now 1t seems
to me that your boasting is less than be-
FORE" he said 'And you were mistaken in
supposing that would have given this ami
NAL to you if l had not known you could
ride him." When she made no reply, he
shook the rein impatientIy. rs 1t still the
horse that makes you heavy in your
breathing? Or perhaps you scarcely dare
to face my justice? ! warn you that /
shall not take 1t well If you begin to weep"
A spark was drawn out of her by that
With an effort. she raised her head and
shot him a glance from bright angry eyes,
mo such intention have l. Lord King. Ger
tafnly | do not fear your justice. Why
should I?''
your freaks. ] will tell you why. "'he said
sternly. Because you have betrayed one
of my people for the sake of an English
man."