Year: 1878

throne IN the year 900. Inc Degln-
ming of his reign was disturbed by
contests with his factious mobiles,
who aspired to Independent soyer-
eighty in their extensive dominions.
But the young king was of too war
like and ambitious a nature to per-
NIT these great fudal lords to defy
his prerogative, and one after an
other they were forced into submis-
sion,


In these wars, waged against his
rebellious vassals, the king was ably
seconded by his fayorite, E.helwald.
This young noble was no less dis.
tinguished for the graces ofhis pet
son than his prowess in war. In re-
turn for his eminent services, the
grateful monarch had offered TO be-
stow upon him the richest of the
great fefs of the crown; but as the
acceptance of the proffered dignity
would have necessitated his resi-
dence in q distant portion Of the
realm, it was declined. Being deep
| ly attached to the person Of his royal
master, and devoted to the gallantry
and gayety of the Saxon court, Ethel
wald chose to remain as a "landless
lord" in attendance OH his sovereign.
He was no less o favorite with the
ladies Of the court than with his
master, and the gallant and gifted
earl, for such was his title, might
have formed brilliant alliance, had
he been so inclined. But while
charming and agreeable to all, he
had never been induced to pay court
at the shrine of any particular fair
one.


Edgar too, was still unmarried.
Pressing affairs of state, and the wars
in which he had been engaged, had
not left him time to think of marri-
age, but as peace and quiet now
reignCd throughout the kingdom the
propriety of seeking partner for
his throne suggested ITSELF


Rumors of the wondrous beauty of
Elfrida, daughter of the great Earl of
Devonshire, had reached his capital,
and he determined to send q trusty
agent to the castle of the earl, who
might learn by personal observation
whether the lady was really as beau
tiful as she was represented.


The king selected Ethelwald as
his agent in this delicate mission.
The young earl was bitterly opposed
to the kings marriage, for he clear
| ly foresaw in such an event he would
lose his position as the royal favor
ite. He therefore ridiculed, as far
as he dared, his masters project of
dispatching an envoy into Devon
shire, for the purpose of passing
Judgment on lady's charms. But
finding that Edgar was determined
upon the step, he set out upon the
errand with the best grace he could.
Arriving at the castle of Devonshire,
he was received with all the honor
due 10 his rank and the high posi-
ton he held in the Saxon court.


Ethelwald was keen judge of fe-
male lovelinoss, and he was forced to
confess that Elfrida was well worthy
of the cxtravagant cncomiums that
were everywhere passed upon her
beauty. She was certainly the most
beautiful woman he had ever beheld.
He found, too, to his infinite surprise,
that she was possessed of much grace
of manner, and all those feminine
accomplishments, which were nee
essary TO constitute fine lady Of the
period. =.


Ethelwald at once determined, if
possible, to win her for himself, and
applied himself, with all the arts at
his command, to make favorable
impression on both father and daugh-
ter. Nor was this a difficult task.
His handsome person and agreeable
address was highly pleasing to the
lovely but rustic maiden, and he
soon gained her consent to u union.
The father, too, was not averse to a
son.in.law, who, though he possessed
not the great domain, which some of
Elfrida's suitors laid at her feet, yet
being the favorite of his king, the
road to preformont in both honors
and lands was open to him. Besides,
Elrrida was his only child, and heir
oss to his own broad lands, q fitting