The Glenwood post., 1904-10-22

he horseman who was even now
stretching his gauntleted hand toward
her rein was the King himself. No
one followed, and the forest around
them was silent as a vault. At last
he was free to speak his mind.
Under the drag of his hand, the
horse came slowly to halt and stood
nanting and trembling in the middle
OF little dell
Still holding her rein, her royal
guardian sat regarding her critically.
Now it seems to me that your boast
ing is less than before" he said.
And you were mistaken in supposing
that l would have given this animal
to you if l had not known you could
ride him." When she made no reply
ne shook the rein impatiently. rs !.
still the horse that makes you heavy
II your breathing? Or perhaps you
scarcely dare to face my justice?
warn you that shall not take it well
If you begin to weep"
A spark was drawn out of her by
that. With an effort she raised her
head and shot him glance from
bright angry eyes. No such inten-
ton have l. Lord King. Certainly l
DO not fear your justice. Why should
II
Since l have little time to spend
upon your freaks, | will tell you why"
he said sternly. Because you have
betrayed one of my people for the
sake of an Englishman"
With surprise, her glance wavered.
Il did not know you knew that" she
said slowly But, as he expected her
TO droop. she bristled instead. "If
Rothgar Lodbroksson thinks he should
have indemnity because he was too
stupid to see through trick. let him
have Avalcomb, when you get it back
from the English, and feel that he has
got more than he deserves; but your
anger" she broke off abruptly and
sat with her lips pressed tight as
though keeping back sob. I'm the
beginning, | got great kindness at
your hands, Lord King" she said at
last ''and your anger-hurts mel"
On the point of softening, the Kings
face hardened and he averted his
head. You value my favor rather
late in the day, Frode's daughter. 1t
would have been better if you had
shown honor to it when you came in
to me at Scoerstan, by giving me truth
in return for friendship"
Lord King, was hindered by ne
cessitv. Your camp-was it place
for women? And did not your own
mouth tell me that Randalin, Frode's
daughter. should wed the son of Lod-
brok II she were alive?"
lie struck his knee ringing slap.
Il confess that it is not easy to be a
match for you. If you had kept your
confidence from all it might have
passed for discreetness. but that you
should keep it from me to give it to
ar -cnglishman-"
''But l did not give it to the Eng.
| lishman," she interrupted.
| For an instant he stared at her; di-
| rectly aftel he burst into a loud laugh
Now that is the best thing that has
occurred yet! Where you cannot
crawl through. you break through"
| Dropping his derision he spoke blunt
ly: What reason in the world could
cause you 10 DenaVe tnuS IL II Is not
| that he is your lover?"
The color gathered and spread over
| her face in maiden shame, until her
tunic became the cruelest of mock
| cries.
short is the reason to tell, Lord
King" she said, at is because | love
him." AS he sat regarding her, she
put out her hand and played with a
tendril of wild grapevine that hung
| from the tree beside her, her eyes
| following her fingers. Il do not know
| why should be ashamed of the state
| Cf my feelings. | should not be able
10 stand alive before you if he had not
been better lord to me than you are
TO English captives; and he is more
| gentle and high-minded than any man
! ever heard sung Of But he does
| cot love me. He knows me only as
the boy he was kind to. l have given
him the highseat in my heart. but |
sit only within the door of his"
Ito be continued.)