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

the beach, and believed that from 'nI'
noint the sea was free or nearly 30
He could not bear TO think OF fiuA
grief He must get away from IL.
Near the islet the sea appeared pre-
tv calm. The black rock did not seen.
to be 60 far off. ''In an hour. tnoush'
Robert. 81 should reach the roch
Why should l not do the same
Christians father d1? pr9m'se:e"
Frida that 1 would not go; dbl II;
thanks to me, Axel should be restored
to health, she will pardon ne.
These thoughts passed raploiy
through Robert mind, and, before he
really knew what he was doing, he
found himself in the boat with the SAL
spread to the wind, holding to the ruu-
der with a firm hand as he set the
boats heal to the rock.
Enormous blocks of ice drifted ST.
lentlv past like gigantic phant0ms,
Robert skiltully avoiding them. Mauy
times the little craft was on the poins
of beng sunk, but Robert was one OF
the most vigorous sailors In Llndt-
markeu. end he was nerved to his TASK
bv the thought of how much depenaeo
upon his reaching the rock.
In the midst of the gale, blinded py
the snowflakes. his boat reelin8 nan
over. his existence threatened every
minute by the gigantic blocks OF ice
which drifted around him, Robers
went bravely on, upheld by the thou8ht
of the welcome he would receive from
Frida when he brought her the news
that Axel would live.
The hours passed, nine, ten, eleven
O'Clock and still the little craft pursued
its way; but how slowly it went! IL
was impossible to steer straight for the
rock. Rohert was obliged to steer
first to this side, then to that, IN order
to avoid the floating ice.
At last the rock was reached. The
heavy surf rendered it difficult to land !;
but, having selected suitable spot,
Robert lowered the sail with consider
able trouble, and, taking hold OF the
rope, he sprang from the boat upon a
ledge. His feet slipped; by tremen-
dous effort he managed to Gluten
point of rock, and, in spite OF the
| foaming waves, he succeeded IN reach
ing a small platform of rock, upon
which he scrambled safe and sound.
/ He still retained his hold of the rope,
! and although the boat had been driven
violently against the reef, he knew
that her planks were solld, and he was
not at all uneasy about getting back.
: Robert made his way to the figure OF
! the Black Virgin, and, kneeling down,
| implored her to work miracle-yes, a
miracle; for AxeI was nigh unto death.
| But this WAS the favorable night, and
| the Virgin ought to reward the heroism
of one who had gone through SO many
perils to implore her help
When he had finished, he looked
| towards the sea.
"Am L dreaming2" he exclaimed.
| For out at sea was another boat, siml-
lar to his own, and this boat was apT a
rently making for the rock. Here and
| here, between the blocks of Ice, the
second boat made its way, boldly pur-
| suing its conrse in the midst of these
moving mountains. There was no
! doubt that its destination was the rock
| of the Black Virgin.
4 sudden thought flashed through
Roberts mind, and made him shiver
with anxiety-suppose it were F'rida
in that boatl Suppose she had been so
! imprudent as to undertake the journey,
| after ALL He hurried down to the
sea, and called to the occupant of the
| boat
"k'ridal Fridar'
"Robert! RobertI"
There was no time for sentiment;
never had Robert felt braver or
stronger than at that moment.
Throw me the ropep' he cried.
With all her strength Frida threw q
rope which whistled past Robert; he
seized it, drew in the boat. and took
Frida, who was now quite exhausted, IN
his arms.
Axel got well, and from that day the
/ evil destiny of Lindenmarken was con-
/ iured: for the Virgin of the rock never
afterwards demanded an annual victim,
and now We have nothing to fear.