Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-09-11
THE ISLE OF ROSES

Dnniuh i~Ann6 II BoRuhOim u 49, kOSS
3 - sorsA, and Tn psofnsios = ~ad -
fnticeuous 70 the plass has sequired Tor :
d. sobssqae< Of The sis u ruseA
M susrons Of tbs LITTLE to~n of Aheer
a ths southwest. are especially psrtus0qss
snd rsmaskabie for the peculiar v.@
fhesr formation We are here, sutdenly ana
viaAoaf any prelude. coufroafsd ~nn -
nifcenf natural fAnoramA
Making Ailinse my kartine poins uasd
often . visit the old castle. Ths rod a MI
In aaosx the strand, then vinding - ~ -
Commence. an ascent; after hAR - noes
spent in scfanbling among The roeE tns
syale Of Paradise Is attained Through sne
hsars Of the dell encirciing the castle exsenm
q pro0<uads vhoss perfection a scenefy
chsfeus,p lnaasinasioa itself. 1he pan q
both sije, i, hordered With hiacs and roses N
thick hedges, which grow 70 . snnic'ens
beizhe to form q spes .es Of vauited alloy, nce
in fragrance, retaining il grateful shade ana
coolness during the prevalence Oh sxtrems
beat
A few PAGES through thb Eden brings The
wand rer before tbs deep, placid ianguor O
the ocean Masses Of rock. cleft In rugged
wiidness, form at once small bay. and Mt
ting frame for 50 glorious prospect
Isought my favorite haunt one day wheo
pered BY q breath Of air; but the rough
hewn bench under the gnaried oak, whence
the view extended to the distant 50, COM
handing the course Of passing ships, was
occupied
A girl busted with use.ilework was sitting
there. In my first surprise fancied that l
beheld some apparition or wood nymph II
was, however no unreal nockery," for the
figure ar,se 70 its feet when my footsteps be-
came audible. Standing there in all her mar
Vicious beauty, in hood Of sunbcauls, she ,e-
sembied some goddess of the northern myth
clog The garb Of the country developed
freelY the graceful symmetry of her tall,
slender figure, and lent peculiar charm TO
her appearance. The most striking feature
in this vision was, however, the nobly mod
eled head, the expressive counteaance encir-
cled by a profusion OF light, wavy hair, the
eyes shaded by dark lashes, blue and fathoD-
less 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 beng Should ! pass on
my way placidly or seek to enter into CONVEX
sationi | hesitated. Every form Of address
which first occurred TO me seemed bold and
inappropriate; should have preferred toaon-
tent myself with gazing at her and listeedng
TO her voice As it was necessary, however,
TO put an end to the situation one way or
another, and vainly endeavoring to combat
the ascendancy of the girls charms inquired
my way to the little fishing village Of Wang,
which | had long intended to visit
-Ah, you S eak Danish she observed, with
friendly SMILE for she had at once set me
nd fhs,, yrith all a
charm of natural afYability which character
izes her compatriots, she explained that the
way led me across the rocky strand l noted
anew in her a popularity OF the Bohemian
folk Avoiding all use Of the expression right
or left, they refer invariably to the points OF
the compass. She accompanied me to a point
from which 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 50 much in
terest in this girl. Surely not her rare bcauty
alone. pondered and pondsred, and at
length believed had found a clcw. l had
dim recollection of some tragic feature in her
face, such as nature bestows in many human
beings, and now my minds eye deserted it
clearly and distinctly defined in tho graceful
lines of her mouth. Besides this, her eyes
hal gaze full of dreamy thoughtfulness, as
though the soul of the possessor dwelt in the
far distance. At all events, this maiden had
something unusual about her.
At Wang entered the cabin Of fisherman
to partakc of refreshments, as there was no
inn there, and mentioned my encounter ask
ing, after giving a description Of the girl, il
anybody knew her. At once came the reply:
'Of course, that was cur lovely Gudrun;
girl, but klarsynet Ia clairvoyant), which,
however, is not unusual among our women
"Ah' thought l, "a clairvoyant. That ac-
counts for the dreamy look in her eyes" And
the weather beaten sailor added:
"She has occasioned her father, old Capt.
Torstensen, much grief already from this
cause She warders at night to the ruins Of
Hammershuus and tali;s with the spirits there.
But she will he married soon. She Is engaged
to Gunnar. the pilot. who is due home shortly
in the Russian East Indiaman the Nautilus.
On my departure the old man refused my
proffer Of muneration-convincing proof Of
| the hospitality of the islanders. He accepted,
however, few cigars, thanking me heartily
with grip OF the hand which felt for some
DAYS after.
NV interest in the girl increased Did she
really, then, possess the gift of second sight
| And how did it find vent. missing over this
| set out on my return.
Thinking to shorten my journey l took a
| bypath When l reached the old castle night
had already fallen. l found that l had lost
my way, and was soon utterly at fault. I
wandered abo;it among the rocks for good
hour, and at last in the distance, deserted a
| light which made my beacon. 1t led me to
an isolated house knocked, with the nten-
~, Tk.,
opened, and before me stood-my beautiful
acquaintance of the afternoon.
| This second meeting so surprised me that
| was at first unable to utter a word. At last
| explained my dilemma to Gudrun, who
kindly invited me TO enter II was her fathers
house The latter, tall man of IS, easily
| recognizable a sailor, who had seen mach
Of the world, gave me friendly reception.
| set some refreshments before ME, and pro-
posed TO accompany ME until should regain
| my road. Thus for the second time, had
| asked the way of Gudrun. She referred to
| this herself with some graceful jest, which
| lent fresh charm to her naturally thought
| full eountenance.
| After this our meetings were more fire.
| quent; sometimes at the house of her 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, Gud-
run proving herself an entertaining guide.
| She was well acquainted with the history Of
the castle. which had been the ancient strong
| bold OF DornhoinE
It was another lovely afternoon. Long
films of C-ossanter noated in the air; the sea
rose and fell Nth gentle motion We stood
upon a crurnbIed wall OF the castle absorbed
in contemplation of the indescribable beauties
Of the scenes around US, fragrant roses en-
twined with ivy.
Suddenly Gudrlln turned 70 ME and asked:
ado you believe in preentiments and in reve-
lations Of the futurer
She uttered the words hurriedly and appar>
emily after an Internal struggle.
Il might almost do So answered. afor
have known men who possessed the unhappy
gift of foresecing their destiny. and this WIS
always of a mournful kind"
] had never made any mention to Gudrun
Of the information which had been impaired
70 me at Wang with reference to her peculiar
ity.
Truly an unhappy zist'" she replied. Il
also possess 1t, AMI when the spirit Of pre-
vision overcomes a veil seems to he torn
from my eyes, and in the boundless future
see nothing but misfortune
knew not what to r,'ply.
Look, yonicri" she cried suddenly in .
sharp, strange voice, pointing in the direction
of Allinge. while her vision seemed strained
upon some far-off point; "A stranded ship,
foaming waves He Is calling-he Is calling.
Yes, Gunnar come, comet"
~. l. 81, H.