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

lence. While the voices Of the other men
came to them family, and the insects chirp-
ed about their feet, and the birds called in
the trees above them.
At last Egil came slowly back, sullen-
eyed and rim-nouthed. He held branch
in his hands and was bending and breaking
| it fiercely.
sit is shame enough" he began after a
while, that any man should have had it in
| his power to spare me. l wonder that do
not die of the disgrace! But 1t would be a
| still fouler shame If. after he had spared
| my life. let myself keep VOLTS mind
toward him." His eyes suddenly blazed out
| at Alvin, but he controlled himself and
went on. 1.-THE reason for my enmity I
will not tell: wild steers should not tear it
out of me. But" he stopped and drew a
| hard breath apd set his teeth afresh; but
my life is worth. 1t Is worth dozen lives
| to him''-his voice broke with rage-"ye.
because 1t is honorable, will do 1t. If you
nedge your friendshp to tbis man viii
| swear him mine" 1t was well that he had
reached the end. for he could not have
! spoken another syllable.
BeWilderment tied Alwin's tongue. Sigurd
was the first to speak.
''That seems to me a fair offer; and half
the condition Is already fulfilled. clasped
his hand last night
Rolf answered with less promptness. ST
| say nothing against the Englishman's cour-
| age or his skill; yeti will not conceal it
| even in payment for a comrades life, do
1
| thrall birth"
That ioosened Alwin's tongue elm my
own country" he said. haughtily. you
would be done honor by look from me-
| Editha will tell you that my father was
/ Earl Of Northumbria, and my mother a
| princess Of the royal blood Of Alfred"
Helga uttered an exclamation of surprise
and interest: but he would not deign to look
| at her.
For while longer Rolf hesitated. looking
long and strangely at Egil. and long and
1 1oo 1xy AZ ,rrd E,,< loof I,ov orfh
| his huge paw.
| 'Alwin of England" he said. slowly
though you little know how much 1t
means, offer you my hand and my friend
| ship"
| Alvin took it little coldiy ST will not
| give you thanks for forced gift; yet
pledge you my faith In return"
Though his face still worked with pas
| sion, Egips hand was next extended. How
| ever much 1 hate you. I swear that will
always act as your friend"
In his secret heart Alvin murmured:
| ''The flend take me II ever turn my back
| on your knifer' But aloud he merely re-
| peated his former compact.
When 1t was finished Sigurd laid an affec-
/ tionate hand upon his shoulder. 1--WE can
/ not bind our friendship closer, but 1t IS my
| advice that you do not leave Helga out of
| the bargain. Truer friend man never had. ;"
| The bar across Alwfn's cheek grew fiery
| with his redder flush. He stood before her,
| rigid and speechless. Helga, too, blurhed
| deeply; but there was nothing OF a girls
| shyness about her. Her beautiful eyes
| looked frankly back into his.
II will not offer you my friendship" she
said. simply. because read In your face
| that you have not forgiven the foul wrong
brave. high born and accomplished. can
/ understand your anger. Were man.
and woman should do such thing to me.
| spot. But It may be that In time to come
] the memory viii fade out OF your mind.
even as the soar win fade from your face.