The Grit-advocate., 1904-11-11

breast. that day. my heart got afraid
that you were Obliged to do IL IN
save yourself. Even after l heard how
you had made a bargain to inherit
after each other. l never suspected
what kind OF plan was in you,
mind"
Standing in silent listening, Canute's
gaze Travelled from face to face until
it came to the spot where Elfgiva f1ut
tered among her women. holding her
exquisite head as IL it already wore
crown. An odd CLEAN tiickered over
his eyes. and he made a step toward
her. "You!" he said. What do YOU
believer"
Pealing her silvery laughter, she
turned toward him, her eyes peepins
at him like bright birds from under
the caves of her hood. Lord. I he.
lieve that l. am afraid Of you!' she
coquetted. When l bethink me that
all the time l have been chiding you
for being unambitious for glory. YOU
have had this in your mind" Laugh.
ing. she stopped and kissed his hand
with the first sep'blance Of respect
which she had ever shown him.
His face was curiously still as he
regarded the beautiful Elfgiva,-apd
stilly curious. as though he were ex.
amining some familiar object in
new light. You believe then that |
had him murdered?" he asked. And
you find pleasure in believing it,.
Now, it is not murder!" she pro.
tested. when king kills-in war
But this Is not war" he said slow.
ly. Lifting one Of the teweled braids
from her shoulder, he played with it
as he studied her. This is not war,
for l had reconciled myself to him.
had plighted faith with Edmund
Ethelredsson and vowed to avenge his
death like brother"
Her white forehead drew itself into
a puzzled frown. But you were not
SO foolish as to swear it on the holy
ring were you?" When he did not
answer. she raised her shoulders
lightly. What should l know about
such matters? Have you not told me.
many times and oft, that it behooves
a woman to shun meddling with great
affairs?"
He gave short laugh. And when
were you ever before content to fol-
low that qdvice?" Letting the braid
slip from his fingers, he stood looking
her up and down, his lips curling with
scorn.
Randalin spoke abruptly to her com
panion. "Dearwyn. l can tell you
something. Elfgiva will never get
the queenship over England
What moves you to say that" the
little English girl asked her. startled.
But Randalin's attention had gone
back to the King, who had turned
where the son of Lodbrok waited re
garding him over sternly-folded arms.
Brother" he was saying grayely.
"your opinion is powerful with me,
SO I will openly tell you that you
are wrong in your belief. Never have
1 SO much as hinted to yonder peace
nithing word of harm against Ed.
mund Ironside."
From Thorkel the Tall came ose OF
his rare laughs,-a sound like the
grating Of a rusty hinge.-Rothgar
unfolded his arms to fling them out
in angry rejection.
This is useful to learnt" he sneer.
ed. do you think could not guess
that you had no need to put your
desire into words after you had shown
Edric by your actions that your mind
and his are one. after you had ad.
mitted by your bond with him tina.
you hold the same curious belief about
honor?"
This time it was Randalin who
clutched the English girl. OH" she
gasped.
For Canute's eyes were less like
eyes than holes through which light
was pouring, while his fingers opened
and shut as though he had forgotten
his sword and would leap upon the
scoffer with bare hands.
Thorkel left of laughing to grasp
the Jotun's arm and try to drag him
backwards. DO you want to drive 1t
from his mind that he has loved you!
Go hide yourself in Fenrir's mouth"
Ito be coAtinued)