Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-28

voice became slower and much harder as
though he were curbing his feelings with
nCn. "Snce you have heard the Nor
man rumor." he said. lit is likely that you
have heard also of the discomfort among
the Danes, who dislike my judgments; but
in case you have not, l will tell you that
an abundance of them have betaken them
selves to a place in the MiddleseX forest,
where they live outlaws, and their leader is
Rothgar Lodbroksson."
To motion back a man who was ap-
preaching him with paper. he turned
away for a moment; and Sebert was glad
of the excuse to avoid meeting his glance.
Not until now had he understood what the
judgment in his favor had cost the judge,
and his heart was suddenly athrob with
many emotions I'm no way is it strange
thar l am hateful to him." he murmured.
But by Saint Mary. he is of the sort that
is worth enduring FROM He inclined his
head in devoted attention as the king
turned back, lowering his tone to exclude
all but the man before him.
Even less than | believe 1t of Elfgiva of
Northampton. do l believe it of Rothgar
Lodbroksson, that he would seek my life.
But often that happens which one least eX-
pects and 1t is time that use forethought
for myself. Now l know of no man in the
world who Is better able to help my case
than you"
~ the Etheling calculated Suddenly
it occurred to him to suspect that his new
sworn VOW Of obedience was about to be
put genuinely to the test, and he drew him
self up stiffly. facing the king. But Canute
was tracing idle patterns on the carving of
his chair arm.
Listen, Lord of Ivarsdale," he said
quietly. ut is unadvisable for me to stir
up further rebellion among the Danes by
accusing them of things which 1t is not GER
tain they have done, and even though 1
seized upon these women it would not help
while cannot let the matter continue, since
one thing after another, worse and worse
would be caused by it. The only man who
can end it, while keeping quiet, is the one
who has the friendship of the only woman
among them to whose honor 1 would risk
my life. 1 mean Randaln, Frode,s daugh-
ter"
Whether or not he heard Sebert's exela-
nation he spoke on as though 1t had not
been uttered. Zone thing is, that she
knows nothing of a plot, for did she so,
she would have warned me had 1t COM
me. But she must be able to tell many
tidngs that we wish to know, with re-
gard to the use they make of their jewels.
and the Danes who visit them, and such
matters, which might be got from her
without letting her suspect that she is
telling news. Now you are the one per-
son who might do this without making any
fuss. and 1t is my will therefore that you
go to her as soon as you can. Your eX-
cuse shall be that the Abbot has in his
keeping some law parchments which have
the wish to see, but while you are there,
1 want you to renew your friendship with
her and find out these things for me. By
obeying in this, you will give the state
help where 1t is most needed and hard to
get" When that was out he raised his
head and met the Ethelirg's eyes squarely,
and it was plain to each Of them that the
moment had come which must. once and
forever. decide their future relations.
II was long time that the Lord o. WARS
dale stood there, the pride of his rank, and
the prejudice of his blood, struggling with
his new convictions, his new loyalty. But
at last he took his eyes from the kings 10
bow before him In noble submission.
This is not the way of fighting that
am used to, King Canute," he said, and
will not deny that had rather you had set
me any other task; but neither can deny
that since you find you have need of my
wits rather than of my sword, 1t Is with my
wits that 1t behooves me to serve you. Tell
mo clearly what is your command and