The Grit-advocate., 1904-10-21

.er rein was the King himself. No
Jne 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
panting 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 supposiny
that l would have given this animal
to you II l had not known you could
ride him." When she made no reply
ne shook the rein impatiently. is !,
still the horse that makes you heavy
+ your breathing? Or perhaps you
scarcely dare to face my justice?
warn you that l shall not take it well
# you begin to weep"
A spark was drawn out Of her by
that. With an effort. she raised her
head and shot him a glance from
bright angry eyes. mo such inten.
tion have l, Lord King. Certainly
10 not fear your justice. Why should
r.
Since 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. "Is
Rothgar Lodbroksson thinks he should
nave 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 a sob. in the
beginning. l 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 II you had
shown honor to it when you came in
to me at Scoerstan, by giving me truth
in return for friendship"
Lord King, I was hindered by ne
cesstv. Your camp-was it a place
for women? And did not your own
mouth tell me that Randalin. Frodes
Jonohfnr chn,,1I hn 1f i
brok Il she were alive?"
lie struck his knee a ringing slap.
II confess that it is not easy to be
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
an -;nglishman-"
"But did not give it to the Eng
lishman." she interrupted.
For an instant he stared at her; di-
rectly aftel he burst into 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
CuuSG YOU W UeudSc illus IL IL 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, cit is because l 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. II do not know
WHY should be ashamed Of the state
Of my feelings. l should not be able
10 stand alive before you If he had not
heen 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
aot love me. He knows me only as
the boy he was kind to. l have given
him the highseat In my heart, but l
sit only within the door of his"
Ito be continued.)