Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-05-03
A Gaelic
Chieftain's
Wooing

By EDWARD sTRATTos HOLLOWAY


heart for Ardanna, princess of the
Firth of Erinn. but there had come
to him the whisper of another name.
and when Olaf, his father, oveT-lord in
Erinn Of the men Of Lochlann, had again
urged Ardanna upon him. he turned
away in distaste as soon as he might,
grasped his weapons and sped away
to the chase.
Yet here he was, his back to a row.
an tree, his eyes unseeing, while he
murmured over and over one name:
Breast OF Light, Breast Of Light, An
Uchd Solais." Haco the page had
brought to his ears that name and the
renown Of her beauty, and last night
Torcall had not slept
Two birds fiuttered from the tree to
the lush grass before him, twittering.
mating. He threw back his head.
Even the birds have their choice, and
shall not 2"
That the choice did not seem easily
within his reach did not trouble Tor
call His face III up as he thought Of the
danger. Breast Of Light was the daugh-
ter of King Garaidh, the Celt the Bit
terest enemy Of the men Of Lochlann.
Well he would look into her eyes.
ITO the dun, Haoo, and fetch two
Celtic garments. secretly, and two
horses from the byre, the fieetest there,
and food We have a journey. We
must be far away as the sun drops
into the west"
An hour later two Gaels. OF so they
seemed sat upon their horses. Two
days later. as the sun set, they forded
with difficulty a madly rushing stream.
What donr churl is this?" laughed
roreall softly. as they reached the
brink. Dour indeed he seemed as he
scowled up at the two travsl-stained
men from his seat beneath the will
lows.
Hast no fair word for fellow trav-
elers?" asked Torcall, as they halted.
II seemed that he had none at all.
Toroalls quick blood mounted TO
his cheek. Where bound? say"
He sided his horse toward him, and
pricked him with his sword.
The man shrank back revengefully.
His eyes were upon their faces. ITO
the dun OF Garaidh. What will ii be
TO your"
Toreall answered shortly: ut may
be much. He pointed to the harp
which lay at the others side. us there
a feast?"
The harper looked derislvely at the
two dusty steeds. at the two men, un.
kempt lest they should seem of too
great importance.
And will you be guests?'
I'VE shall. said Toreall, quickly,
and lest Garaidh should have as
harper a ohurl with no fair word. /
myself have a fancy to that harp OF
thine. and TO that kilt thou weaIest
so badly. on with it,"
No sooner said than done. Torcall
dropped from his horse. The harper
was a child in Torcall's hands. Over
his head came the kilt.
And now" ehuckled Torcall, ITO
cool your wrath" Seven times he
soused the harper in the stream; then
with his immense strength he lifted
him above hts head. Gross not my
path again. Now swim for IT," lie
hurled him into the stream.
In the black darkness outside the
han of Garaidh stood Torcall alone
As near as might be, in a hollow hid
den by dense foliage, lurked Haco
with the horses.
From within came the heavy step OF
warriors. the clash of weapons and OF
tsnkards. the din of many voices. Tor
call pressed close to the wall OF the
dun.
aWhere is Domhnull. the harper
came the deep voice of Garaidh-and
rorcall laughed lie stepped forward
10 the entrance. unslinging tae harp
from his shoulder. He passed within,
bowed low.
"Win Kiag Garaidh accept me. In
his stead? The last | saw Of that dour
fellow he was treasting the waters Oh
the stream. put him there, TO get
a civil tongue"
"A sword would seem better weap-
on in your hand than harp. Let US
hope that you can play mighty
strain"
Bowling again. Torcall sat down
upon the steps of the dais and struck
his myers across the strings. The
arm chords filled the hall. And then
Torcau opened his lips and sang
a moving battle-rann of the Gaels.
AS Torcan sang his eyes roved nrst
about the hall.
thanked by his under-lords sat
Garaidh. Near him. surrounded by her
maidens. rested a figure all in white
Toreau let his gaze rest full upon her.
An instant the music faltered, then
quickly sank into a sweeter STRAIN
he turned his eyes away. Yet now ne
sang for one alone-for Breast OF
light. IN
There was silence in the great hall
h-oken only BY the clang Of the spear
~ Caraidh as il slipped from MS
e-r,or hearers hand. He stopped to
H. a. nHnHH HHHH