The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24

sanctuary of Balder. In low tones, and
ominous, Hedge pronounced his sem
tence. He would be merciful, he said,
aDd instead of that death to which he
might consign him would merely give
him a chance to purge himself. Far out
across the ocean there lay a group OF
islands, the Orkneys, over which ruled
Earl Angantyre. THE earl" said Helge
sent tribute as long as Belle lived, but
sends 1t no more. Go thou and demand
the tribute. Bring it home and thy for
feited life and honor are redeemed" SO
in disgrace had Frithjof departed from
the Thing and now he had come to beg
Ingeborg to fly with him.
Earl Angantyre" he said, was my
fathers friend He may give me the gold
for the asking, and if not l have a friend
who will speak for me- my good sword
Angurwadii. This day I sail and thou
sailest with me. We will send the treas
ure home and lift the curse from our
names. Then will we have Ellide take us
| into some far distant sea--to milder
| Chimes A little dust from our fathers
graves is all we need take with us of our
native land. My father used to tell me
| on long winter nights of the blue seas of
| Greece. where, upon their many isles
once lived mighty people, whose gods
dwelt in high marble temples. There the
land is beautiful and fruitful. and all men
grow apples of golden hue and purple
grapes hang heavy upon the leafy vines.
There stars divinely bright look down
| upon soft summer nights and purple
waves break softly in white foam upon
shining strands. There will we make our
home. Come, Ellide tugs impatiently at
her anchor. Hast thou no word? Why
so cold? Dost thou mistrust mef'
II cannot go with thee replied Inge-
borg. I'm all this misery thou, Frithjof
art fortunate. Thou art man, thine own
master free to steer thy ship wheresoever
thy will directs IT'S not so with me- Ny
fate is the fate of women; to suffer, to
renounce, to pine in silence. Kings
daughter though be, this is my freedom
and my fate"
| In vain did Frithjof plead with her to
| fly with him across the rolling seas to
softer chimes and a new life. 'T have
done with childhood's dreams" she said
Belle sleeps, but Hedge is my father now.
Besides, what have I, a daughter of the
| north, to seek In the south? I would
sicken and long for my own pale sun
| and my gaze would forever be fixed upon
the northern star that sentinels the
heavens above our fathers graves. And
for thee-thy shield would rust and with
1t thy free spirit. No, I Will not be the
one to steal away my Frithjors name
from the sagas to be sung by skalds yet
unborn. Let us not strive against fate.
Out of the wrecks OF our lives let us
at least save honor. Happiness is gone
forever"
Frithjof's voice grew harsh and cut
ting; he was losing control of himself
Farewell, so be it, then-Helges sister,"
said he. But Ingeborg besought him not
thus to part with her In anger, and all
his tenderness awakened at the sight of
her tears. Thou hast conquered, Bele's
daughter" he said. Thou art my good
spirit. 1 will go and leave thee. but
will not leave hope. That 1 Will take
across the sea and to the very gates of
death. The first spring shall see me
back again. and then will demand thee
not of Hedge, but of the whole Morse peo-
pie in open Thing. That is thy rightful
guardian, for thou art OF royal race. Fare
well, my love, my bride-to-be; a few
| months only and the tide will turn"
| Out across the waters did FrithJof sail
with his companion Bjorn and a strong
and valiant band of retainers. He sought
the Earl Angantyre when he sat in his
great hall above the stormy tides of the
Orkneys, and the old earl received him
wen for his fathers sake. The great
hall of the earl was a wonder to FIRTH
jof. The walls. instead of rough-hewn
planks. were hung with leather. richly
gilt and stamped with many cunning de-
vices. Instead of deep hearth in the
middle Of the hall, wit han opening above