Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-30

guards who were spread over the country
like sparks after conflagration. As he
turned at the end of the beat he was pac-
ing and came slowly toward her. she could
see that in its gravity his face was as SOL
dier-like as his clothes. Always she found
it so when she came upon him unawares;
and always, when she spoke to him
She held her breath as his eyes rose to
her. and let 1t go with little sigh of hap
piness as she saw gloom drop from him
like a mask at the sight of her.
'Randalin!' he cried joyOusiy. and made
step toward her. then stopped to laugh in
gay wonder. Now no poet would call you
"a weaver of peace as you stand there,
for you look rather like an elf OF battle.
What is it, my raven?"
Her lips smiled back at him. but a mist
was over her eyes. 1T Is your king that !
am angry with, lord. He is not worthy
that a man like you should serve him.
Moving toward her again, he held himself
little straighter. II serve not the king,
dear heart" he said gently. but the state
of England, in whose service the highest
is none too good to BEND
She yielded him her hands but not her
point. THAT does not change the fact
that 1t is his overbearingness which makes
your path as though you trod on nettles-
for certainly [ know it is so, though you
will not say it!'
Neither would he admit it now. but
laughed lightly as he drew her to him.
Now may he not give me thorns who gives
me also the sweetest rose in his kingdom
l tell you he is the kingliest king ever had
to deal with, and the chief would soonest
trust England to. Be no Danish rebel
shield-maiden or as the kings officer / will
mulct your lips for every word of treason.
She showed no rebellion against his au-
thority. at all events; and her hands re-
manned in his clasp until of his own accord
he opened his fingers with an exclamation.
do you wear bracelets for rings, my fair
or what? What?!' From the monstrous
bauble in his palm, he raised his eyes to
hers. and if she had seen their look She
might have answered differently But her
gaze was still on the ring; and as she felt
him start, that impish dimple peeped out OF
her cheek.
rs it not a handsome thing?" she said
1T looks to be a ring to belong to giant.
rs it-Rothgars?"
The dimple deepened as she heard his
tone. For all It's absurdity, there must be
some truth in Dearwyn's witch skill. She
was obliged to droop her lashes very low to
hide the mischief in her eyes. 1T is not his
now" she murmured. ut has been given
me-to keep me in mind of something. u
But after that her amusement grew too
strong to be repressed, and she looked up
at him with er-brimming laughter.
There will soon be too much Of this!
Sweetheart mine, are you in truth SO easy
to plague?'
Laughing she looked up at him, but, even
as his face was clearing, something in 1t
struck her SO strangely that her laughter
died and she bent toward him in sudden
gravity. Lord! 1t is not possible for you
to believe that I could love Rothgar! Her
manner of uttering that one word made it
speak more scorn than volumes might have
done.
For a while he only looked at her, that
strange radiance growing in his face; but
suddenly he caught her to him and kissed
her so passionately that he hurt her, and h s
voice was as passionate as his caress. mo, -
he told her over and over. Would I have
offered you my love had believed that?
No! No!'