Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-11-10


until should regain my road. Thus, fol
the second time, 1 had asked the way ei
Gudrun. She referred to this herself with
some graceful jest, which lent fresh charm
to her naturally thoughtful conutenance.
After this our meetings were moro fire..
quent sometimes at the house of hel
father, who at times accompanied me in my
rambles; sometimes walking near the old
castle. One day we visited the ruins in
company. We clambered about over the
ancient walls, Gudrun proving herself an
entertaining guide. She was we'll &C
quainted with the history of the castle.
which had been the ancient stronghold OF
Bornholm.
1t was another lovely afternoon. Long
films of gossamer foated in the air the sea
rose and fell with gentle motion. We
stood upon crumbled wall of the castle
absorbed in contemplation Of the indescrib-
able beauties of the scene, around us
fragrant roses entwined with ivy.
Suddenly Gudrun turned to me and
asked
do you believe in presentiments and in
revelations of the future ?''
She uttered the words hurriedly, and ap-
parently after an internal struggle
81 might almost do so,' | answered
"for l have known men who possessed the
unhappy gift of foreseeing their destiny,
and this was always of mournful kind.'
had never made any mention to Gud-
run of the information which had been i'm
parted to me at Wang with reference to her
peculiarity.
"Truly an unhappy gift ~ she repeated.
81 also possess it, and when the spirit of
provision overcomes me veil seems to be
torn from my eyes, and in the boundess
future see nothing but misfortune"
l knew not what to reply.
"Look yonder ~ she cried, suddenly, in
sharp, strange voice, pointing in the di-
rection of Allinge, whilst her vision seemed
straiued upon some far-off point "a
stranded ship; foaming waves. He is
calling-Ee is calling Yes, Gunnar,
come, come !"
And she made movement as though she
would hurry away from the spot. l held
her firmly by the arm, and turning my eyes
in the direction indicated saw nothing but
the azure sky and the placid surface of the
':Ah, itssS.ss avision,n sobbcd the girl
81 am SC bhappy OF know that shall
die soon. Thaf is the third time that
have seen it They are calling me, the
spirits of the deep. But come evening is
closing in, and you must not lose your way
again"
| accompanied her to the house, striving
to dispel her dismal forebodngs. But she
only shook her head thoughtfully. At her
door she turned. Good night and au re-
voir," she said, looking mournfully at me !;
and took my leave, strangely affected by
her mood.
The day breaks dull and tempestuous.
Dark clouds are scudding athwart the sky
On the sea the storm RACES in uncertain
gusts. The waters rise up and lash them
selves in fury, and long, foam. crested chains
of mountain billows hurl with mighty
crash against the rock-bound coast. The
island seems to tremble to its very fOun-
dations. "GOd protect our Mariners" is the
thought of every islander. My room in
Mardier's commands view of both sea and
town. The latter is small place built
upon the strand. The streets are deserted,
as the rain descends in torrents.
The storm increases to hurricane In
the harbor sea-mews fly hither and thither
uttering discordant cries which are drown
ed in the roar Of the tempest and the
thunder of the waves.
so pass morning and afternoon. The
hurricane still RACES with unabated vehe-
mence. The lantern is already alight in
the neighboring lighthouse at Hammer
berg. Several fishermen are busy in the
harbor trying to make their boats, which
are dancing about like nut-shelis, more Sc
cure from risk Of injury.
But bark! A dull, brief report resounds
above the din of the tempest and the tur-
moil of the waters. This is no thunder of
ka = &c W. -
once more, and then repeated at shorter
intervals. Men congregate at the harbor's
mouth, and large telescope is procured
But no ship is yes visible; the horizon is
too circumscribed. Thus half an hour
passes away. All Allinge is on the alert.
People unite in groups to discuss the plight
of the devoted vessel. l find myself attach
ed to one of these knots Now-it may be
about five o'clock-something black be-
comes visible against the background of
Hammerberg. 1t draws nearer and be-
comes plainer-we distinguish a ship.
A sudden flash, quickly followed by re-
port, gives renewed intimation that the
vessel is in distress. But who can render
any aid? The coast is PERCEPTIONS, and
wild, uneven crags jut out far into the
ocean. The sea is so rough that no boat
could live in it. The danger becomes more
and more imminent. The craft, a brig al
ready bereft of its mainmast, must strike.
1t is hopelessly lost.
In the excitement of the awful mOnient
I had been unconscious as to my immediate
surroundings. Suddenly, quite close to
me, heard cry full Of deipair, soul
stirring wall.
1t was Gudrun who stood wringing her
hands, her fallen tresses prey to the blast.
1.-THE Nautilus-Gunnar!" she cried, in her
anguish. "Save him-my love?'
The doomed ship was none other than
that which bore her betrothed homeward.
Men ran to and fro with confused cries, but
no one ventured to the rescue. SIT would
only be tempting Providence, declared a
venerable sailor; and he added, uncoverine
his head in all reverence, "The Lord Of
heaven and earth deliver them.'' All the
bystanders followed his example and united
in the prayer.
Gudrun rushed from group to group, i'm
ploring, supplicating, wringing her hands,
but nobody ventured to court certain death
Suddenly Captain Torntensen, her father
appeared upon the scene wearing a ''sou
wester" and long seaboots.
"Who will come with me?' he asked in
clear resonant voice.
He met with no response. Some at
tempted to persuade him from his enter
prise, even resorting to force. The mos
experienced sailors regarded it as madness
to attempt to navigate in such a sea.
"Then l shall try it alone" he declared
hurrying toward his boat. Two young
men followed him, at first doubtfully; theI
adjured by Gudrun, determined to join him
in the desperate venture.
A rush was made for the landing wher'
the boats were lying. Torntensen coult
scarce stand upright in his boat, but for al
that he cast off the painter. And now, jus
as the men were in the act Of pushing OF