The Grit-advocate., 1904-07-08

peace. he was forced to Green bacN
10 my feet like dog that has been
kicked. Was there gold enough in his
bribe to regild his fame?"
The gnarled old face of ThorkeI the
Tall grew livid; growing in his r-lz-
zled beard, his nand moved lnst;uc-
lively toward his sword But Roth
gar caught his arm with a boisterggs
laugh.
Slowly, old wolf" he admoDished.
Never snarl at the swapping of the
cub you have raised"
The King had not moved at the
threatening gesture, and he did NOT
move now, but he echoed the laugh
bitterly.
A snort of impatience disteudeG the
nostrils of Thorkel the Tall
AT such times as these" he said.
ARE brought to my mind the words of
Ulf Jarl, that man does not really
stand well upon his legs until he has
lived twenty winters"
Up came the Kings yellow head.
There was no question now about his
temper. A spot of fiery red marked
each cheek-bone, and his colorless
eyes were points of blazing light.
Better is it to stand unsteadily
upon two legs than to go naturally
upon four" he retorted. IF also am
beast at least there is a mans mind
in me that tells me to loathe myself
I
both of you-and all your bowling
pack! Make me no answer or by the
head of Odin, you shall feel my faugs.
Oh, leave me, leave me, before lose
my human nature and go mad like a
dog! Leave-You laugh" As he
caught sight of Rothgar, he interrupt
ed him with roar. His hand shot
eled knife that hung there, hurled it,
a glittering streak, at the grinning
face. If it had reached home. one of
Rothgars eyes would have gone out
in darkness.
But the son of Lodbrok had known
his royal foster-brother too long to be
taken by surprise. Throwing up a
caught the quivering blade in its bot
tom, whence he drew it forth with
good -humored composure.
IF you wish to give friend pres
ent, King, you should not throw it at
him so angrily," he suggested Had
you given me the sheath, too, your
gift would have been doubly dear"
Io,1 70
the young kings eyes and softened
them; gradually his mouth relaxed
from Its fierce lines and dropped in
bitter curves. When at last his fir
gers stopped their nervous beat it
was to unfasten the sheath of chased
gold which was attached to his waist,
and stretch it out to Rothgar.
Have it your own way" he said
gravely. 1T is right that l pay some
fine; l have a trolls temper Take
the sheath. But do not make the mis-.
take again of laughing at me because
you cannot understand me. But one
person may do that and live, and that
person is woman, and my wife.
There is a strange feeling in my heart
lndt we nave DeSuh " u dNtl u hot Gilt
paths, you and land that it is be-
cause we no longer walk on the same
level of ground. that we no longer
see any object in the same light And
my mind tells me that in time to
come your path will lead you down
into the valley and my road will take
me up the mountain-side, until even
our voices shall no longer reach
across" He came out of his dreaming
abruptly ut is not worth while to
speak further. Leave me, as order
ed you. There is no unfriendliness in
my mind at this, but can command
myself no further. Co."
Rothgar said. with some approach
to formal courtesy, Il ask you to par.
don 1t that have done what you dis.
like, for wish that the least of all
the world. And I give you thanks
for your gift" Their hands clasped
strongly as the trinket passed from
grasp to grasp.
Then the sage and the soldier turn.
| ed and strobe past the covering fig.
ure of Randalin and out of the linen
doorway.
ITO he continued