Gilpin observer., 1904-12-15
its girtb. But E1fgiva, when she hsl

its girth. But Elfgiva, when she hsa
seen 1t on, closed her eyes with an
air of satisfaction. i
ITO keep from losing it. will keep
1t in your mind" she said. Now leave
me. Candida-more softly! And see
to it that you do not stop the moment
my eyes are closing. Let no one
wake me-"
They drew silence around her like
a curtain through whose silken web
the blended voices of rain and Tyre
and singer crept in soothing melody.
To escape its ensnaring folds, Ranoa-
lin stole back to the distant window
beneath which Dearwyn sat on lit
tie bench, weaving clover blossoms
into a chain.
The little gentlewoman looked UP
with her soft pretty smile. How
mysterious you are, you two!' she
whispered, as she swept the mass Of
rosy bloom to the floor to make room
for her friend. What with TebCen
always seething ill-smelling herbs and
-Tata, pray you tell who has gifted
Waving the ring where the light
might catch The serpent's eyes, Ran
dalin pursed her lips with so much
mystery that her friend was tempted
to catch the hand and hold it prisoner
while she examined the ornament
After one look, however, she let it
fall with an expression of awe upon
her dimpled face.
1.-The ring Canute gave Elfgiva-
that he won from the giant Rothgar?
Heaven forbid that I should press
upon her secrets My ears tingle yet
from the cuff got only for looking at
yonder dirty scroll. Yet how long
is it since you we're taken into their
councils, Tata? Yesterday you were
no better able than I to say how
things were with her."
How long?" Randalin repeated
dreamily. Her gaze had gone back
again to the rain, falling so softly
that every pool in the sodden paths
seemed to be full of lazy winking
eyes. "Oh, there are many good
chances that he will be here soon
now He is seldom later than the
tnlrQ hOur a1ter noon.
After a bewildered gasp. Dearwyn
stifled burst of laughter in her gar
lands. "Oh, Tata, come to earth."
she admonished. Come to earth!"
And scooping up handful of the frag-
rant bloom, she pelted the dreamer
with rosy balls.
Shaking them from robe and clus-
tering hair. Randalin turned back.
smiling. But her lips sobered almost
to wistfulness as she sank down upon
the seat beside her friend. "It seems
that l must do that against my will"
she said. "Dearwyn, do you get afraid
when you are happy? Sometimes.
when 1 stand here watching for him
and think how different all has hap
pened from what | supposed, l am so
happy"-she paused. and it was as
though the sun had caught the iris
flowers in her eyes, until a cloud
came between and the blue petals
purpled darkly-"so happy that it
causes fear to me, lest it be no more
than a dream or in some way not
true"
Sweet. it is the waxing of the
moon. pray you De Dlltne IN your
spirits. Small wonder your lover
bears himself as gravely as a stone
nan on a tomb if you talk such"
'.Dearwyn, the same thought has
overtaken us both" Randalin broke
in anxiously. and now she was all
awake and staying the others busy
fingers to ensure her attention. Not
a few times it has seemed to me that
he looks weary Of heart. as though
some struggle were sapping his
strength. He swears 1t is not SO.
yet l think the rebellion of his pride
against king-serving-"
IF you want to know my belief.
it is that he carries trouble in his
breast about you," Dearwyn inter-
rupted.
about me?" So much hurt surprise
was in Randalln's manner that the
little maid begged forgiveness With
caresses of the swaying clover.
Ito be continued.)