The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-05-26
GUDRUN

Not lovingly caressed and anon
fercely bufeted by the waves of the
Baltic, between the coast of Pomer-
ania and Sweden, lies the Danish
island of Bornholm. 1t is little known
to the world, aad the profusion of
wild roses Indigenous to the place
has acqui1 ed for it the sobriquet of
the Isle OF Roses.
The environs OF the little town of
Allinge, on the northwest, are es-
pecially picturesque and remarkable
for the peculiar wildness of their for
nation. 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 a chaos OF weird forms mod
eled in solid rock-and the bound
less horizon. But even here the
poetry of romance weaves its magic
web, for the venerable RUNS of Ham
mershuus Castle look down upon us
from an eminence, as if inviting the
wayfarer to rest and dream awhile
within its moss grown walls.
Making Allinse my starting point
| 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 a promenade whose
perfection of scenery challenges
imagination itself. The path on both
sides is borded with lilacs and roses
in thick hedges, which grow to a
sufficient height to form species Of
vaulted alley, rich in fragrance, le-
tanning its grateful shade and cool
ness during the prevalence of extreme
heat. Birds make melody in the
thicket; insects float upon the breeze
with a somnolent susurrus; golden
sunbeams, quivering upon the ver-
dant foliage, glide down upon the
blossoms which strew the ground
giant ferns seem to wave their fans
with a dreamy motion.
A few PAGES through this Eden
brings the wandered before the deep,
placid languor Of the ocean. Masses
of rock cleft in rugged wildness form
at once a small bay and fitting
frame for SO glorious prospect.
l sought my favorite haunt one
day when the fierce heat of the sun S
rays was untempered by breath of
air; but the rough-hewn bench under
the gnarled oak, whence the view
extended to the distant sea. COM
manding the course of passing ships.
was occupied.
A girl busted with needlework was
sitting there. In my first surprise |
fancied that l beheld some apparition
or wood nymph. 1t was, however,
no unreal mockery, for the figure
arose to its feet when my footsteps
became audible. Standing there in
all her marvellous beauty, in flood
of sumbeams, she resembled some
goddess of the Northern mythology.
The garb of the country developed
freely the graceful symmetry Of her
tall, slender figure, and lent pecu-
liar charm to her appearance. The
most striking feature in this vision
was, however, the nobly modelled
head, the expressive countenance
encircled by 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
surprise, for neither of us had dreamt
of finding this solitude invaded by
another human being. Should
pass on my way placidly, or seek tc
enter into conversations | hesitated
Every form of address which frs
occurred to me seemed bold and in
appropriate; should have preferred
to content myself with gazing at her
listening to her voice. AS it wa:
necessary, however, to put an enc
to the situation one way or another
and vainly endeavoring to comba
the ascendency of the girls charms
| inquired my way to the little fish
ing village Of Wang, which | had Ions
. intended to visit.
"Ah, you speak Danish" she OBJ
served, with a friendly smile, 70
she had at once set me down as
foreigner. And then, with all tn
charm of natural afability whicl
characterizes her compatriots, sh
explained that the way led me acros
the rocky strand. noted anew i
her a peculiarity of the Bornholr
folk; avoiding all use of the expires
sion right or lett, they refer inyaria
bly, to the points of the compass
She accompanied me to a poir
: from which | could not miss my way
and wished me a pleasant walk {
, parting. This meeting gave m
food for reflection during the rest {