The Beacon Fire.

The proposal met with universal approval . " It is Yuletide , " said the soldiers ; " let us have a tale to pass away the time , " ancl they gathered round the hearth , preparing to listen . "The story of Leofwine , " murmured the old man . " Knowest thou not , Sidrocthat this is the night he died ? "

, Sidroc nodded , ancl stroked his tawny beard in silence . " The saints grant that his boding shade appear not to warn the land of coming evil as it did that night , more than fifty years ago , when I stood with thy father upon these very heights . " Osyth seated himself in the centre of a group of eager listeners , his dreamy eye kindling ancl his voice and action expressing fire and animationas he

, proceeded to relate the following somewhat wild ancl curious tradition of the Beacon-tower . The attention and interest of the soldiers were rivetted by the spirited tones of the narrator ; the subject , too , was one which found read y sympathy in their brave and warlike hearts .

LEOFWINE ' TRUST . THE clouds were lowering darkly in the sky ; the sun struggling dimly through them , cast a vague , uncertain light upon the sea , the waves of which moaned restlessly at the the foot of the steep cliff ; whilst , high above the solitary tower that crowned its summit , the sea-gulls wheeled and circled in the winti-y air . Within the spacious hall of the castle , which stood at a short distance from the

beacon , the soldiers of the garrison were gathered round a blazing fire , drinking , laughing , singing , ancl making merry , for it was Yuletide . The cheerful , crackling fogs upon the hearth shed a rudd y glow on the bronzed , visage of many a veteran , grim ancl ancient , ancl on many a fair-faced , beardless Saxon youth . At length , when the revel was at its highest , one , who had been seated at a table somewhat withdrawn from the others , rose , ancl advancing , made a gesture with his hand to enforce silence . Instantl y the joke and the song were hushed , for he who thus commanded was not one to be lightly disobeved .

" Come hither , son Leofwine , " said Denewulf , the Kentish chieftain , for he it was who had thus checked the revel of his soldiers . Upon this summons a youth detached himself from the rest of the group , and stood in an attitude of respectful attention before his father , to whom he bore some resemblance , though the likeness was well nigh lost , so great was the contrast between the gaunt , muscular frame ancl grizzled locks of the old warrior and the sli ght , though well-knit figurethe blue eyes ancl yellow hair of the younger one .

, " Son ! " said Denewulf , abruptly , " it is thy turn to watch the beacon tonight ; never yet hast thou had the post ; beware how thou guardest the trust committed to th y keeping ; be not like Red Sweyn of old , who deserted his charge and went over to the Danes . Beware ! I say ; let thine eye be keen as the hawk ' s , let not slumber o ' erwhelm thy senses , or ill shall it fare with thee , though thou art the son of Denewulf . If aught should occurblaze abroad

, the signal fire without delay : much depends on thee , for ' tis rumoured the Danes are about again ; " then , turning to the soldiers , he exclaimed , " Let mine own eyes be torn out if Leofwine is found neglecting' his duty ! " "With my life will I guard my trust , " said the young Saxon , solemnly , raising his hand to heaven , whilst his blue eye flashed ancl kindled with sudden li ght , and the colour rose to his cheek .

" Go , the sun hath already set , " said Denewulf , hurriedly , adding in a low tone to himself , as he turned away , " And may the saints preserve thee from all harm , " Leofwine left the hall amid the resounding shouts of the soldiers , for the boy was the idol of the rough hat kindly fellows ; and , further , they respected and admired the conduct of their chieftain , who , though , Leofwine x