The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-23
A story OF tho Tenth Century.

Among the many historical novels that
have lately come to our glad notice we re-
member none that concerned itself with
the wear D55, and we must think accordingly
that something OF a pioneer quality. some
flavor Of virgin endeavor. attaches to Mr.
]. r. Atkins story, THE Sins Of Saint
I'd. Appleton 4 Coz. "On May Day. in the
wear of our Lord 955," we read in the open
ing paragraph, three noble youths were
living on the banks Of the Thames in the
royal grounds at Kingston. They were
tired with the frolics OF the day. and ST.
lently watched the river run. the sweet
breathed cattle Craze and the sun set, III
glory OF gold and crimson, beneath bank
OF murky gray Since early morn, when
with the royal maids they washed their
faces In the glittering dew to make them
rosy all the year, they had filled the hours
with leaping mirth. In concord and IN
peace they lay together, happy az youth
without fear, But had it been given
them to see. only for one moment, the
coming years. they would have started,
clutched their golden scabbards, and won
dered."
The reader, too. will be startled and will
wonder as he goes on. The renowned
Dunstan is the saint OF the title. An UNI
scrupulous man of power he was. One OF
his hiRh-handed deeds was to tear King
Eadwine from the arms Of his beautiful
Young Queen. Elgiva,
There had been great wedding and
great coronat ion, followed by great feast
The King had left the feast early in order
TO be alone with the Queen. Very COM
mendable OF him. the reader will doubtless
think. Such. however, was not the oplnioh
OF Dunstan He made out that the King
early retirement was somehow an ohence
aeains, religion He pretended, too, thai
the King and Queen were cousins ana had
no business 10 marry He made up posse
Of Benedictine monks, who had sat out
the feast Loyalty and went after the royal
young gutter.
The reader may learn all about it in the
chapter called "Dispelling Dream The
King and Queen were alone in their chamber
DThe love light danced in their blue eyes,
the story says, "transdguring each with
the glory seen only by the soul OF the other.
Said the. King Thou shalt he with me all
the DAYS, Elgiva. my beautiful SAID the
Queen. Loving well, thou shalt reign WELL
Edwv, nv fair" At that sacred moment
and almost before the Queens endear1ng
diminutive had expended its enchanting
sound Dunst ans monks Numbered at the
door.
Their faces were inhamed and they were
unsteady on their pins, and no wonder. Az
the feast they had had honey and oysters
and salmon and eels and land and water
fowls and roebuck and rabbit and hare.
and with all goble,s Of sparkling wine and
tankards Of foaming beer served by youth
full mobiles spnghtly and gay They hung
the door open before the King could reach
il. "Ho. Here thou art!' cried D'lns'an
"Fie, sir! Fie! Leaving the company OF
Bishops and mobiles for wornan's lap!
Who would have thought that one SO young
would have learned so soon the way OF
life? Fie, sirl Fie!" The fat monks behind
-weaved" In the manner of elephants ana
repeated thickly; "Fie, sir Fie!'
or course the King was indignant. What
means ihis?" he cried. drawing his sword
Back, every one Of you, on peril OF your
life! Such rude intrusion on our privacy
, is sore displeasing. Back
The Benedctines never budged' The
beautiful Elgiva leaped forward and nnng
her arms around the King Shocking
words we're uttered by Dnnstsn' kynesige'