Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-08-30
Gudrun.


fercely buffeted by the waves of the
Baltic, between the coasts of Pomer-
ANA and Sweden, lies the Danish |
island of Bornholm. It is little
known to the world, and the profu-
sion of wild roses indigenous to the
place has acquired for it the sobri-
quet of the Isle of Roses.
The environs of the little town of
Allinge, on the northwest, are espec-
tally picturesque and remarkable for
the peculiar wildness of their forma-
ton. We are here, suddenly and
without any prelude, confronted
with a magnificent natural panorama.
Behind US stretches the vast and
gloomy expanse of the plateau; be-
fore US chaos of weird forms model
ed in solid rock-and the boundless
horizon. But even here the poetry
of romance weaves its magic web,
for the venerable ruins of Hammer
shuns Castle look down upon us from
an emfnence, as if inviting the way
farer to rest and dream awhile within
its moss-grown walls.
Making Allinge my starting point
l used often to visit the old castle.
The road at first lies along the strand,
then winding to the left commences
an ascent; after half an hour spent in
scrambling among rocks the ''Vale of
Paradise is attained. Through the
heart of the dell encircling the castle
extends promenade whose perfec-
ton of scenery challenges imagina-
ton itself. The path on both sides
is bordered with hlacs and roses in
thick hedges, which grow to suffi-
cient height to form a species of
vaulted alley, rich in fragrance, re-
tanning its grateful shade and cool
ness durlDg the prevalence of ex-
treme heat. Birds make melody in
the thicket; insects float upon the
golden sunbeams, quiverlng upon the
verdant foliage, glide down upon the
blossoms which strew the ground;
| giant ferns seem to wave their fans
with dreamy motion.
A few PAGES through this Eden
brings the wanderer before the deep
and placid languor of the ocean.
Masses of rock cleft in rugged Wild
ness form at once a small bay and
fitting frame for so glorious
prospect.
| sought my favorite haunt one
day when the fierce heat of the suns
rays was untempered by breath of
air; but the rongh-hewn bench un-
der the gnarled oak, whence the
view extended to the distant sea
commanding the course of passing
ships, was occupied.
A girl busted with needlework was
sitting there. In my first surprise 1
fancied that | beheId some appari-
ton or wood nymp. 1t was, how
ever, no ''unreal mockery," for the
figure arose to its feet when my foot
steps became audible. Standing
there in all her marvellous beauty, in
food of sunbeams, she resembled
some goddess of the Northern
mythology. The garb of the country
developed freely the graceful symme-
try of her tail, slender figure, and
lent a peculiar charm to her appear
ance. The most striking feature in
this vision was, however, the nobly
modelled head, the expressive coun-
tenance encircled by a profusion of
light, wavy hair, the eyes shaded by
dark lashes, blue and fathomless as
the ocean, their gaze now fixed upon
the intruder.
We stood silent for a moment,
confronting each other in mutual sur
prise. for neither of us had dreamt
of finding this solitude invaded by
another human being. Should L
pass on my way placidly, or seek to
enter into conversation? l hesitated
Every form of address which first oc-
Cured to me seemed bold and inap-
propriate 1 should have preferred
to content myself with gazing at her
and listening to her voice. AS it
was necessary, however, to put an
end to the situation one way or an
other, and vainly endeavoring to
combat the ascendency of the girls
charms, ] enquired my way to the
little fishing village of Wang, which
/ had long intended to visit.
''Ah, you speak Danish" she OBJ
served with friendly smile, for she
had at once set me down as a for
eigner. And then, with all the charm
of natural affabiiIty which character
iz's her compatriots, she explained
that the way led me across the rocky
strand. | noted anew in her pc
culiarity of the Bornholm folk;
avoiding all use of the expressions
right or left they refer invariably to
the points of the compass. She ac-
companied me to point from which
l could not miss my way, and wished
me pleasant walk at parting. This
meeting gave me food for reflection
during the rest of my ramble.
What had caused me to take so.
much interest in this girl? Surely not
her rare beauty alone. l pondered
and pondered, and at length believed
l had found a clew. l had a dim
recollection of some tragic feature