The Grit-advocate., 1904-08-12

our swords. When We have n,,a
the three taxes of fort-building and
bridge-building and field service yc
have paid all that We owe to the
state"
At last they stood defined. the frs.
of the feudal lords and the last of the
odal-born men. Even through the
kings loftiness it was suddenly borne
in that, behind the insignificance of
the revolt loomed a mighty princlple
mighty enough to merit force.
Il observe that the men of vou-
race have not been of great imnort
ance in the land. 1t appears ,bat
Ethelred was able to do without the
rebel Lord of Ivarsdale."
Il admit that he was able to loss
his crown without him. the rebels
son retorted swiftly.
The kings wounded dignity bled
in his cheeks: he was stung into A
movement that brought him to his
feet.
This is insufferable!" he cried
1t was evident that the crisis had
come. Several of the thames lad
their hands upon their swords. AL an
almost impcrceptible sign from the
old cniht, the henchmen made 4
noiseless step nearer their master
But the blood of Cerdic. once fircH
burned too rapidly for policy. e..
munds jaw was set in savage men
ace as he turned and beckoned TO
his guard. Had he spoken the words
on his lips, there is little doubt what
his order would have been.
Interruption came from an nncx-
pected quarter. Even as his lips were
opening. that white taloned hand
reached out of the shadow and touch
ed his arm.
Most royal lord! If it may be- per-
mitted me?" Earl Edric said swiftly.
His voice was very low, and every
roughness had been filed away until it
flowed like oil. Upon the Kings
wounded temper it appeared to fall
as softly as drops of healing balm.
With his mouth still set he paused
and bent Lis ear. There was mur-
mur of whispered words.
What they were no one ever knew,
and each man had different theory;
but their result was plain to all. Slow
ly Edmund's knitted brows unravel-
ed; slowly his mouth relaxed into its
wonted curves. At last he had re-
gained all his lofty composure and
turned back.
Lord of Ivarsdale, am not rich
OF time, and my present need is too
great to spare any of it to the chas-
tising OF rebellious boys. Go back to
your toy kingdom, and lord it over
your serfs until find leisure to teach
you who is master" Making a dis
dainful gesture Of dismissal, he turn
ed with deliberate grace and entered
into conversation with the Mercian.
At the moment, it is likely that the
young noble would have preferred ar
rest, The utter scorn of word and act
lashed the blood to his cheeks and
the tears to his eyes. With boyish
passion, he snatched the sword from
its sheath, and breaking it in p&ces
across his knee, flung the fragments
clinking into the dead embers.
But If he had hoped to provoke an
answer, 1t was in vain; the king deign-
ed him no further notice. Resuming
his seat, Edmund continued to talk
quietly with the earl, a half-smi!e
playing about his complacent chin.
The old cniht bent forward and
whispered in his chiefs ear: Make
haste, Lord Sebert; they will be
cheering in a moment, the churls; so
pleased are they at the thought of
going home. Hasten with your retir.
ing"
1t was a clever appeal. Forgetting.
for the moment, humiliation in re-
sponsbillty, the young leader whirled
to his men. A gesture. a muttered
order, and they were drawing back
among the trees in silent retreat. A
few steps more. and the bushes had
blotted out the Ironside and his
thames.
L.