Gilpin observer., 1904-07-07

to my feet like dog that has been
kicked. Was there gold enough in his
bribe to reg.ld h!s.fame" ,-.g
The gnarled old face of Thorke1 the
2 Tall grew livid: growing in his griz-
'zled beard, his hand moved instinc-
lively toward his sword. But Roth
gar caught his arm with boisterous
laugh.
Slowly. old wolff" he admonished.
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 distended che
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-five 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
a beast, at least there is a mans mind
in me that tells me to loathe myself
for being SO. Even as loathe you
both of you-and all your bowling
pack! Make me no answer or, by the
head of Odin, you shall feel my fangs.
Oh, leave me, leave me, before l lose
my human nature and go mad like
dog! Leave-You taught" AS he
caught sight of Rothgar. he interrupt
ed him with roar. His hand shot
to his belt and plucking forth the jew
eled knife that hung there. hurled it.
glittering streak, at the grinning
face. II it had reached home, one OF
Rothgar's 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
wooden platter like a shield, he
caught the quivering blade in its bot
tom, whence he drew it forth with
good-humored composure. '
u
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"
Gradually the color flowed back to
the young kings eyes and softened
them; gradually his mouth relaxed
from its fierce lines and dropped in
bitter curves. When at last his I'm
gers stopped their nervous beat, 1t
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; 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 a woman, and my wife.
There is a strange feeling in my heart
that we have begun to travel different
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 mlnu teuS uc tudt III timc "
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. TT is not worth while to
speak further. Leave me. as l order
ed you. There is no unfriendliness in
my mind at this. but l can command
myself no further. Co."
Rothgar said, with some approach
to formal courtesy, Il ask you to par.
don it that have done what you dis.
like, for I wish that the least Of all
the world. And 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 strode past the covering fig.
ure of Randalin and out Of the linen
doorway.
(To be continued)