Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-28

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steal me away from my embroidery to hunt
with your"
by no means" Sigurd laughed. 'Nor
how Thorhiid scolded when we came back!
/ would give ring to know what she would
say II she were here now. 1t Is my belief
that you would get slap. for all your war
like array"
Helga's spur made her horse prance ana
rear dehantly. '1horhild Is not here. nor
do expect that she will ever rule over me
again. She struck me once too often. and
ran away to Left. For two years now 1
have lived almost like the sfield-maidens
we were won't to talk of. Oh, Sigurd. /
have been SO happyr' She threw back her
head and lifted her beautiful face up to the
sunlit sky and the fresh wind. so free and
so happyI"
Alvin thrilled with sudden sympathy. He
understood then that 1t was not holiness
nor mere waywardness that made her what
she was. 1t WAS the Morse blood crying out
for adventure and open air and freedom. 1t
did not seem strange to him. as he thought
OF 1t. 1t occurred to him. all at once. as a
stranger thing that all maidens did not feel
so-that there were any who would be kept
at spinning, like prisoners fettered In trail
ing gowns.
Tyrker nodded IN answer to Sigurd's look
Of amazement. 1.-The truth Il Is which the
child speaks. Over winters, stays she at the
kings house with one of the queens wom-
en-, who is friend of Left; and during the
summer, voyages she makes with me. But
to me 1t appears that OF her We have spoken
enough. Tell to us how II comes that you
are in Norway. and-whoa! steady
Wh-o-a!'
And tell us also that you will ride on to
the camp with us now" Helga put In, as
Tyrker was obliged to transfer his attention
to his restless horse. Rolf Erlingsson and
Egil Olafsson, whom you knew in Green
land. are there. and all the crew of the Sea
Deer"
1.-THE Sea Deerv' calculated Sigurd. Sure
ly Left has got rid Of his ship. now that
he is in King Olafs guardT'
iSy,er 1yNAr ,.riv, ~
Tyrker's horse forced him to leave this also
to Helga.
Certainly he has not got rid OF his ship.
When he does not follow King Olaf to bat
tie with her, Tyrker takes her on trading
voyages, and she lies over winter in the
kings ship shed. There are forty of the
crew, counting me-there Is no need for you
to smile, can take the helm and stand a
watch as well as any. Can not, Tyrker?''
The old man relaxed his vigilance long
enough to nod assent; whereupon his horse
took instant advantage Of the slackened
rein to bolt OF homeward. despite all the
swaying and saving Of the rider.
That set the whole party in motion once
more
You will come %! with me to camp, sIgurd.
little way, the bank across the river.
Come, II only for short time"
Sigurd gathered up his rein with smile
favorable answer to that. 1t seems that
you have not heard Of the mishap that has
befallen me. The lawman has banished me
from the district"
likely to see more of the young Norseman.
Helga was filled with amazement. On the
verge Of starting, she stopped her horse to
stare at him.
ct must be that you are jesting." she
said at last. You, who are the most ami
able person in the world-it is not possible
that you can have broken the law!'
Sigurd laughed ruefully. In my district
i not Snnken Of aN1fahla inst
Yet there is little need to take 1t heavily,
my foster sister. have done nothing that
is dishonorable-should 1 dare to come be-
fore Leifs face If 1 had? It will blow over
in time to come"
Helga leaned from her saddle to press his
hand in a friendly grasp. You have come
to the right place. for nowhere in the world
could you be more welcome. Only walt and
see how Rolf and EgiI will receive you'll"
She gave the thrau curt shake OF her
head. as he stepped to her bride rein, and
they rode off.
AS Helga had said, the camp was not far
away. Once across the river. they turned
to the left and wound along the rolling
woody banks toward the ford Entering a
thicket Of hazel bushes on the crest Of the
gentle slope, they were met by faint sounds
Of shouting and laughter. Emerging into
a green little valley, the camp lay before
them.
Half a dozen wooden booths, tented over
with gay striped linen and adorned with
streaming flags. q leaping fire, pile OF
SIalH ueef, a Strlng OF grazing norSeg, and
throng Of brawny men skinning q deer,
chasing the horses, securing armor. drink
ing, wrestling and lounging-these were
Alwins first confused impressions.
There 1T Isl" cried Nelga. Saw you ever
a prettier spot? There Is Tyrker under that
ash tree. And there-do you remember that
black name? Yonder. bending over that
shield? That is Egil Oiafsson. Now 1t comes
to my mind again! Tonight we go to a feast
at the kings house; that is why he is so
busy. And yonder is Rolf wrestling. He ia
the strongest man in Greenland; did you
know that? Even Valvrand cannot stand
against him. Whistle now as you were
wont to for the hawks. and see II they win
not remember"
They swept down tho slope. the. high
sweet notes rising clear above the clatter
One man glanced up in surprise, then an
other and another; then suddenly every
man dropped what he was doing and leaped
up with shouts Of greeting and welcome
Sigurd disappeared behind a hedge of yell
low heads and waving hands.
Alvin felt himself clutched eagerly. Don
nerwetter, but have waited long time
for your said the old German, short
breathed and painting. That beast was
like the insides of me to have outshaken.
Bring to me a horn OF ale; but first give
me your shoulder to yonder booth"
Go be continued Monday, March ~