The Penn's Grove record., 1893-03-10


the beach, and believed that tron this
point the sea was free or nearly 80.
He could not bear to think OF frias
grief. He must get away from It.
Near the islet the sea appeared pref
ty calm. The black rock did mol seem
70 be so far of. SIN an hour. thought
Robert, ~ should reach the rock
Why should 1 not do the same as
Christians father did? | promised
Frida that / would not go; bUt II;
thanks to me, Axel should be restored
to health, she will pardon ne.
These thoughts passed rapidly
through Robert mind, and, before ne
really knew what he was doing, ne
found himself in the boat with tho sail
spread to the wind, holding to the rud-
der with o firm hand q be set the
boats head to the rock.
Enormous blocks of ice drifted ST.
lently past like gigantic phantoms,
Robert skilfully avoiding them. Many
times the little craft was on the point
of beng sunk, but Robert was one OF
the most vigorous sailors in Linds-
marker. end he was nerved to his ask
by the thought of how much depended
upon his reaching the rock.
In the midst OF the gale, blinded ny
the s~nowf1akes. bis boat Keeling hall
over, his existence threatened every
minute by the gigantic blocks OF Ice
which drifted around him, Robert
went braveiy on, upheld by the thought
Of the welcome he would receive from
Frida when he brought her the news
that Axei would live.
The hours passed, nine. ten, eleven
o'clock and still the little craft pursued
its way; but how slowly it wentl 1t
was impossible to steer straight for the
rock. Robert 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 q suitable spot,
Robert lowered the sail with consider
able trouble, and, taking hold OF the
rope, he sprang from the boat upon q
ledge. His feet slipped; by q trench
dous effort he managed to clutch q
point of rock, and, in spite of the
foaming waves, he succeeded in reach
ing q 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 plsnks were solid, 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 a miracle-yes, q
miracle; for Axel 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.
Gam 1 dreaming2" he exclaimed.
For out at sea was another boat, SINH
lar to his own, and this boat was apIa-
rently making for the rock. Here and
here, between the blocks of Ice, the
second boat made its way, boldly pur-
suing its course in the midst of these
moving mountains. There was NO
doubt that its destination was the rock
of the Black Virgin.
A sudden thought flashed through
Roberts mind, and made him SILVER
with anxiety-suppose it were f'rida
in that boatl Suppose she had been so
%imprudent rs to undertake the journey,
after ALL He hurried down to the
sea, and called to the occupant OF the
boat
"Fridal Fridal"
Robert! Robertl"
There was no time for sentiment;
never had Robert felt drawer or
stronger than at that moment.
Throw me the rope!' he cried.
With all her strength Frida threw a
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 Lindenmarkeu was con
inred: for the Virgin of the rock never
afterwards demanded an annual victim,
and now we have nothing to fear.