Gilpin observer., 1904-06-23

other way could one account for those
locks, and for her eyes that were of
the grayish blue of iris petals.
The eyes were little staring this
morning. as though still stretched
wide with the horror Of the things
they had looked upon; and all the
glowing red blood had ebbed away
from the brown cheeks.
She said in low voice. "My father
Fridtjof :" then stopped
to draw long hard breath through
her set teeth.
Sister Wynfreda ran to the girl and
caught her tremblingly by the hands.
Praise the Lord that you are de-
livered whole to met" she breathed.
Gram told us-that they had taken
you."
eyes, Randalin stood quite still In her
embrace. Her story came from her
in jerks, and each fragment seemed
to leave her breathless, though she
spoke slowly.
Il broke away" she said. They
stood around mo in a ring. Norman
Leofwinesson said he would carry
me before a priest and marry me, SO
that Avalcomb might be his lawfully,
whichever king got the victory. I
said by no means would I wed him;
sooner would slay him. All thought
that great Jest and laughed. While
they were shouting I slipped between
them and got up the stairs into a
chamber, where l bolted the door and
would not open to them, though they
pounded their fists sore and cursed
and jeer, and called to me they would
go down and drink my wedding toast
before they broke in the door and
fetched me; and then they betook
themselves to feasting."
Sister Wynfreda bent her head to
murmur a prayer: God forgive me
If I have lacked charity in my judg-
ment on the Pagans! II they who
have seen the light can do such deeds.
what can be expected of those who
yet labor under the curse Of dark
ness?"
II do not understand you" Randa-
lin said wearily, sinking on the grass
and passing her hands over her strain
ed eyes. when a man looks with
eyes Of longing upon another mans
property, it is to be expected that he
will do as much evil as luck allows
him. Though he has got Baddeby,
Norman was covetous of Avalcomb.
When his lord, Edric Jarl. was still
King Edmund's man, he twice beset
the castle, and my father twice held
1t against him. And his greed was
such that he could not stay away even
after Edric had become the man Of
Canute."
It was the nuns turn for bewilder-
ment. "The man of Canute? Edric
Of Mercia, who is married to the
Kings sister? 1t cannot be that you
know what you say!"
Certainly know what I say" the
girl returned little impatiently. "All
English lords are fraudulent; men can
see that by the state of the country.
Though he be thrice kinsman to the
English King, Edric Jarl has joined
the host of Canute of Denmark; and
al MS meu nave AohOWcu Hiu. Dul
even that agreement could not hold
Norman back from Avalcomb. He
lay hidden near the gate till he saw
my father come. in the dusk. from
hunting. when he fell upon him and
slew him, and forced an entrance-ths
nithing! When he had five-and-fitty
men and my father but twelve!"
She paused. with set lips and head
flung high. The nun got down stifiy
beside her and laid a gentle hand upon
upon her knee.
Think not of it. my daughter" she
urged. Think of your present need
and of what it behooves US to do. Tell
me how you escaped from the cham
ber. and why you wear these clothes" !"
Ito be continued.)