The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-12-29

sun, and diffusing around mild, beauti- ful radiance neither sunshine nor moon shine, but light more poetic, more TO- mantle, than that of common day or night. Little Raeul clapped his hands with delight, as from the luminous cloud on the northern horizon, streamers of green, purple, red and golden light shot up. Andreas said it was years and years since an Aurora so splendid had been seen. Look at the blood-red color our forefathers thought it ever foreboded death or misforunes. have heard many stories of the terror such an ap- pearance occasioned. How happy are we who have learnt to trust in a Heav- enly Father, and no longer fear such ou1ens.o
 A lonely road was their way home no habitations except a few farm houses near the town, and when these were passed long stretch of desola,e country wild, rocky valleys, all clad in their snowy garments, with the deserted sum- mer chalets scattered over them, mock ing the traveller with an idea of human life beneath frowning precipiees of black rock. where the snow could find no rest ing-place; through pine woods, whose venerable denizens have survived many generations of mortals,
 "Moored 10 the riftcd rock
 Proof to the tempest shock"
 The children were asleep, Raoul in his mothers arms, who half -unconsciously was humming to hersel. hymn of praise as she wrapped the Restling warm in her furs. Olaf, after repeated declarations that he was not in the least sleepy, had been glad to lean his head against his sisters shoulder; his eyes soon closed and he was as sound asleep as his little brother. Ella gave herself up to a dreamy reverie as she thought over the solemn communion service, the sermon. and then the bright future before her. Pleasant thoughts they were in her life's horizon 1t was all blue sky behind her, and she saw still more before her. And soon these thoughts were woven together and bright castles in the air arose which made her smile to herself as she pictured them before her minds eye wha, Hugo and she would do when they had home of their own how they would welcome the wayfarer, nurse the sick and succor the distressed. Then higher and up- ward flew her thoughts, and she imag- ined the hour when earth's usefulness should cease. earth's happiness fade :: when. the threshold of eternity passed. they should hear the angelic songs of victory, and voice frQm the throne, say ing. " lnasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me"
 Lost in her own thoughts. Ella had lit tie needed noise which was heard from time 10 time, and which she fancied the fall of avalanches from crag to erag in the mountains. But now on all of d sud den she remarked that her father had several times turned hls head to look back. and that his face were a troubled expression. What is II. fatherT she asked, IS there anything the matter! ~
 Nothing, nothing he answered in d short, stern manner no, al all usual te him hope nothing and then mur- mured to himself in a lower tone. God grant 1t may be nothing"
 Her uneasiness by no means less ened. but, understanding he did not wish ,o be questioned, she remained silent. bu, with her attention on the alert 10 discover the cause for anxiety. The dull noise in the req. certainly increased. and was heard at htful intervals. now almost swelling into note, then dying away. and was decidedly nearer than when first she had remarked Il. The horses. too. seemed by some wonderful instinct ,o partake of her fathers uneasiness. ust then the noise began atresh. aud now an unmistakable howl sent a Hash of certainty into her mind. Unable longer to bear the sus- p-nse, she half rose. and gasped out ]: oh. father. IS it-is It the wolves ~
 They are long way behind said Andreas we shall reach home well. never fear"
 But th? farmers face oon,radieted his cheerful words. and with sinking o. heart IS if its action had been stopped, and then iumul,uous rush of blood through her veins. Ella sank back on her seat- 1, was fearful resulsion of feeling "a be thus suddenly torn from state of dreamy reverie. and brought face to face with great danger. The fainting sensa- ton was over directly. and closing her eyes for moment and murmuring d heartfelt prayer her natural courage re- turned. Ella had till then only seen dead wolves. the trophies of the chase. and once or twice one securely muzxied on its way to some foreign menagerie but too many dreadful wolf stories are current round Norwegian hearths in win ter for her not 10 divine the greatness of the peril, and she tried to calculate their probable distance from home. and the chances of escape.
 Frau lngeborg next heard the howl. and asked the same terrified question as her daughter. Oh, God, my poor chil- dren - was her only exclamation and then she. too. was calm and still. Nearer. nearer is the howling-fas;er go the ter rihed horses, their instinct has told them the danger. Ella gently disengages her self from the sleeping Olaf. and. unbid- den. gets out the rifle and powder ask. and in silence looks 10 the loading. An dreas' eyes fali on her he is even al that