Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-03-15

child have been restored TO health. AS
to the Black Virgin-well, she is not
SO bad as people say, and it is possi-
BILE to turn her from her purpose If
you choose favorable moment"
"Why should | not tell you some
thing which probably 10 one in the
village knowsl I Was spared by the
Black VirgIEl l was as Ill as your
brother, but my father, a hold and
vigorous seaman, went on the night OF
Christmas Eve to the Virgin herself,
in her chapel, and she heard his
prayer; for she can refuse nothing to
those who manage to reach her on that
night From that moment my strength
returned, and [ got we'll, to the great
astonishment of the whole village"
Frids's eyes sparkled; her look usu-
ally gentle and tender, became ener-
getic and determined.
"Thank you, Christian" she said:
"your advice is good, and / will go to-
morrow to the black rock"
"Alasp sighed Christian, "It is use
ess to think about it. This year the
Baltic is not completely frozen, and
you would be obliged to cross an arm
of the sea in which no boat could be
taken with safety, on account of the
enormous blocks of ice which are
floating about. A large boat would be
crushed by the icebergs within a few
minutes; how could you hope to sue
ceed in small one?"
81 will dare anything to save Axell''
Christian and Robert then endeav-
ored to convince her of the madness of
the undertaking. At first she would
~ iiCta fn mt a
time, without entirely yielding she
she seemed to regard them as irrefuta-
BILE.
"Let us say goodbye till tenor
row" she said, rising from her seat.
Robert was the last to leave. As he
went out he kissed her forehead tender
ly. "My Frida, 1 love you, | love
your he cried. "Swear to me, Frida,
dear" he added, ''that, whatever hap
pens, you will never forget me
neverr"
Never, never. Robert, dearl' she
der. Gam 1 not wholly yours? How
could l forget you?"
During the evening, when Frida was
alone she thought over what Robert
had said before he left her, and won
words. What did he intend to do?
Little by little she understood. Yes;
there was no doubt about it, Robert
bad resolved to go to the rock to leg
the Black Virgin to spare Axel.
The next morning-it was Christmas
Eve-Frida went out to meet Robert.
Robert" she said, 'answer me
| frankly. Tell me, do yOu think of
| e, ha ra.k
Robert lowered his head and said
nothing.
81 will not have It" continued Frida
"Do you hear2 1 will not allow i'll You
, have no right to risk your life in that
, way. Are you not the sole support of
your old fatherr What would become
OF him without you? And do you think
that / could live without your love,
without your presence, especially if
my silly superstition were the direct
cause o. your death? Hark how the
wind howIsl We seldom have such a
| gale as this, and the sea yonder is rag
! ing. You cannot save Axel-f0r
| Christians story is absurd-and you
will perish before reaching the rock,
{ and | should he miserable for the rest
of my life"
Robert promised her everything, but
/ he did il without really cOmprehending
what he was doing. tie only knew one
| thing; he must not make Frida I'M
! happy.
''Let us go and see Azel," he
said.
Axel was rather feverish that day.
There was a ring in his voice, and his
| lips trembled. He motiOned to Robert