The Glenwood post., 1904-09-10
flravely, ,I heard what Brithwald

siravely, II heard what Brithwald
told you about the bread, lord. What
will overtake us when that is gone?
Shall we charge them. so that we
may die fighting?" When the Etheling
did not answer Immediately, his COM
panion looked up at him with loving
reproach. You forget that you need
conceal nothing from me, dear lord.
am not as those clowns below. You
have even said that you found pleas
ure in telling me your mind"
Sebert's hand was lifted from the
red cloak to touch the thin cheek
caressingly. Il should be extremely
ungrateful were l to say less, dear
lad. There is mans courage in your
boys body, and l think a woman
could not be more faithful in her love
- How! Are you cold that you
shiver so? Pull the corner of my
cloak about you"
But the page cast it off impatient
ly. mo, no, it is nothing; no more
than that one of those men out there
may have walked across the spot that
is to be my grave. Sooner would |
bite my tongue off than interrupt you
l ask you not to let it hinder your
speech"
Again a kind of affectionate pity
came into the young mobiles face.
Does it mean so much to you to hear
that you have been faithful in your
service?"
ut means-so much to me-" the
boy repeated softly; and if the mans
ear had not been far afield, he might
have devined the secret of the green
tunic only from the tenderness of the
low voice. But when his mind came
back to his companion again, the lad
was looking at him with a little smile
touching the curves of his wistful
mouth.
DO you know why this mishap
which has occurred to you seems
great luck for me? Because other
wise it is not likely that you would
have found out how true a friend
could be. If it had happened that l
had gone with Rothgars messenger
that night, you would have remem-
bered me only as one who could en-
tertain you when it was your wish to
laugh. But now, since it has been
allowed me to endure suffering with
you and to share your mind when it
was bitterest, you have given me a
place in your heart. And tomorrow,
when we go forth together and the
Dane slays me with you because it
will be open to him then that for your
sake | have become unfaithful to him,
you will remember our fellowship
even to"
But Sebert's hand silenced the
tremulous lips. mo more, young
ling! l adjure you by your gentle
ness" he whispered unsteadily. You
owe me no such love; and it makes
my helplessness a thousandfold more
bitter. Say no more, little comrade.
if you would not turn my heart into
woman's when it has need to be of
flint Sit you here on the ledge the
while that l take one more turn. You
will not? Then come with me, and
we will make the round together, and
apply our wits once more to the rid.
die. Until swords have put an end
to me, l shall not cease to believe
that it has an answer"
Below, in the dense blackness of
the forest, an occasional owl sounded
his echoless cry. From still deeper
in the dark. where the Danish camp
fires glowed, a harp-note floated up
on the wind with a fragment of wild
song. But it was many long mo-
ment before the silence that hovered
over the doomed Tower was broken
by any sound but the measured tramp
of the sentinels.
(To be continued.)