Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-23

tumn," Helga said, wonderingly. They
have patched on second autumn to reach
till spring.
The woods continued to be full of game.
and the grass on the plains remained almost
unwithered. There was only enough frost
in the air to make breathing 1t a tonic, a
tingling delight. Not even a crust formed
over the placid bay, and the waters of the
river went leaping and dancing through the
sunshine in airy defiance of the ice kings
letters
On the last day Of December autumn en-
pigments We're still in full swing. The last
rays that the setting sun sent to the bay
through the, leahess branches fell upon a
group of fishermen returning with load Of
shining fish hanging from their spears.
From the grove came the ringing music OF
axes, the rending shrek of doomed tree,
the cracking, crashing thunder of it's fall
Down at the foot of the bluff boat was
thrusting its snout into the soft bank, that
an exploring party might land after three
days journey along the winding highway
of the river.
In the bow stood the chief, and behind
him were Sigurd Haraldsson and Rolf, and
behind them Robert and Norman.
With a great racket of joyous hallooing
for the benefit Of their campmates the crew
leaped ashore. While some stayed to load
themselves with the skins and game slowed
under the seats, the rest began to climb the
TRAIL laughing and talking noisily.
Sigurd leaped along between Rolf and the
Norman, a hand on the shoulder of each,
shaking them when their sentiments were
unsatisfactory.
How long am to wait for you to have
a free half day." he demanded of his friend
from Normandy 1T was over a week be-
fore we left that found those bear tracks,
and still am l putting off the sport that
you may have a share in II. Is II Leifs
intention to keep you dangling at his heels
forever. like a tassel on an apron? Ger
tainly he cannot think that there is dan
ger of your talking love to Helga while
you are fighting bears.
Though once l would have said that
wooing a shield maiden was a very similar
sport" Rolf added. pleasantly.
Whereupon Sgurd shook them both with
an energy that sent all three sprawling
their faces, to the huge amusement of those
who came after.
They scrambled to their feet In front OF
tall sumach bush that grew half way up
the slope. Alwin's eyes fell upon narrow
ledge-like path that showed plainly be-
tween the bare branches, and he nodded
toward 1t with smile.
Missing bear fights is certainly undesir-
able" he said. But IL was not long ago
and this same bank-that l anticipated
worse fate than that.
Nevertheless, 1 have never seen so much
service exacted from kings page" Sigurd
growled. as he bent to brush the dirt from
his knees.
But Rolf shook his head with quiet de-
cision.
zone need never tell me that 81 is only to
keep you from saying fine things to Helga
that the chief demands your constantspres-
ence It Is because he has come tot take
comfort In your superior Intelligence Snd to
value your attendance above ours. There.
he is calling you now. l foretell that you
will not fight bears tomorrow either" He
gave the broad back hearty slap that was
at the same time friendly shove forward.
CTo be continued tomorrow.)