The Glenwood post., 1904-11-12

breast, that day. my heart got afraid
that you were obliged to do it to
save yourself. Even after heard how
you had made bargain to inherit
after each other, | never suspected
what kind of a plan was in your
mind"
Standing in silent listening. Canute's
gaze travelled from face to face until
it came to the spot where Elfgiva flut-
tered among her women, holding her
exquisite head as if it already wore
crown. An odd CLEAN fiickered over
his eyes, and he made q step toward
her. You" he said. What do you
believer"
turned toward him, her eyes peeping
at him like bright birds from under
the caves OF her hood. Lord. | be-
lieve that l am afraid OF you!' she
coquetted. When | bethink me that
all the time l have been chiding you
for being uhambitious for glory, you
have had this in your mind" Laugh.
ing. she stopped and kissed his hand
with the first seTblance of respect
which she had ever shown him.
His face was curiously still as he
regarded the beautiful Elfgiya.-and
Silly curious, as though he were ex-
amining some familiar object in
new light. You believe then that |
had him murdered" he asked. And
you find pleasure in believing it?'
Now, it is not murderl" she pro.
tested. when king kills-in war
But this is not war" he said slow
ly. Lifting one Of the jeweled braida
from her shoulder, he played with it
as he studied her. This is not war,
for l had reconciled myself to him. |
had plighted faith with Edmund
Ethelredsson and vowed to avenge his
death like a brother"
Her white forehead drew itself into
puzzled frown. but you were not
so foolish as to swear it on the holy
ring were you?" When he did not
answer, she raised her shoulders
lightly. What should l know about
such matters? Have you not told me.
many times and oft, that it behooves
woman to shun meddling with great
affairs?"
iiS save a ollOit lduSn, ana Wuen
were you ever before content to fol-
low that advice?" Letting the braid
slip from his fingers, he stood looking
her up and down, his lips curling with
scorn.
Randalin spoke abruptly to her com
panion. "Dearwyn | can tell you
something. Elfgiva will never get
the queenship over England
What moves you to say that" the
little English g,rl asked her, startled.
But Randalin's attention had gone
back to the King, who had turned
where the son of Lodbrok waited re
garding him over sternly-folded arms
Brother" he was saying gravely,
your opinion is powerful with me,
SO | will openly tell you that you
are wrong in your belief. Never have
| so much as limited to yonder peace
nithing a word of harm against Ed.
mund Ironside."
From Thorkel the Tall came one OF
his rare laughs,-a sound like the
grating of a rusty hinge,-Rothga
unfolded his arms to fling them out
in angry rejection.
This is useful to learnt" he sneer.
ed. DO you think could not guess
that you had nc need to put your
desire into words alter you had shown
Edric by your actions that your mind
and his are one, after you had ad
mitted by your bond with him tha,
you hold the same curious belief about
honor?"
This time it was Randalin who
clutched the English girl. "Oh." she
gasped.
For Canute's eyes were less like
eyes than holes through which light
was pouring. while his fingers opened
and shut as though he had forgotten
his sword and would leap upon the
scoffer with bare hands.
Thorlel left off laughing to grasp
the Jotun's arm and try to drag him
backwards. do you want to drive it
from his mind that he has loved you?
Go hide yourself in Fenrir's mouth"
(To be continued)