The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1894-02-22
Iept wIIn eyrupulous neAtpess.

cover the mysterious stranger whose
voico had impressed him SO powerfully.
But at first he perceived only the specter
whose hand had guided him to the spot,
and who turned out to be an old man Of
from 20 to 80 years Of age, thin and
bent. but with look of inspiration that
revealed one Of the northern trolls.
Francois took him to be tho devil. AT
his feet cat and a bear were playing
amicably.
The old man, without taking the slight
est notice of the strangers presence, be-
gan to strike n succession of quick. light
taps on q bench. pronounced few unin-
telligible words and then lighted long
pipe, whose smoke soon disagreeably sur
prised the nostrils of our French travel
ers.
There! Didn't tell you that we were
in the presence of Beelzebubg" murmured
M. Guillemot. This abominable smoke
is more than sufficient proof against
tho accused heather"
MY friend" said the duke to the old
man, fixing his keen, scrutinizing eye
upon him. ''since the language speak is
as familiar to you as my name. will you
have the kindness to inform me to whom
am indebted for this hospitality. since
most assuredly you are not what your
mode of life and the poverty of your
abode would betoken."
The old man shook his head and again
pronounced few words which no one
understood.
II never heard" observed Guillemot.
that it was the DEVILS custom to have
representative of himself upon the
earth. But certainly this creature is
fully worthy o play second to Luci.
fer. or at least to DO his vicar general.
Come. you old clown. open your mouth
and tell Us who you are, so that we may
know whether or not we have any reason
to congratulate ourselves on having
made your acquaintance"
my father. Tuisko, is only poor in
habitant of Karesuando. He humbly
prays his royal highness the Duke of
Orleans TO consider himself welcome in
his cabin" said the sweet voice which
had so gracefully and cordially invited
the strangers to enter.
The duke turned quickly in the direc-
ton whence this voice proceeded. Judge
his surprise when he discovered in the
depth of an alcove the white and pure
countenancc OF a young girl far surpass
ing in loveliness anything he had ever
seen in the suInptuous salons of the Tuil
cries or under the fresh shades of Yer.
sailles. She was clad in a gown of Fin.
land wool, with blue and red stripes. her
chestnut tresses floated in long and silky
curls over her shoulders, her blue eyes
sparlkled with intelligence, an indescriba-
ole charm of youth surrounded and filled
her whole person. and yet from her mel
ancholy and tender expression il was
plainly pcrceptible that the flowers of
her life had been mingled with many
thorns, but this only rendered her more
beautiful and seductive
The young nobleman saluted her with
the same respect that he would have
hown to princess of the blood.
"Monseigneur." see continued, 1--WE
have been waiting for you long time.
Yesterday when you were quitting Mu-
onioniska my father was grieved at your
having horses hitched to your sledges.
Horses are not adapted TO these regions,
as they require beaten tracks and sure
relays. You have not yet tried our rein
deer, monseigneur. You know not how
delicious it is to glide along with the
ralidity Of lightning over the glistening
plains by the glo.7 of the aurora borealis
and the great stars of these ATTITUDES.
Tomorrow it will be too late. The thaw
has begun, the broad levels will become
impossible and the rivers swell to tor
rents. Oh, what pity it is that you
have missed such pleasures
THE pleasure of breaking ones neck
at the heels of wild animalr' murmured
Francois Guillemot.
Then your father knew the hours
and minutes of my trip yesterday asked
the prince.
Yesterday evening at three-quarters
past 8 o'clock my father said to me. l
will go to meet this illustrious stranger
for the tongue of his sledge is broken
and the impending tempest might prove
fatal to him. That would be a grea,
misfortune. foini. to the land of thy
mother"
Truly, young maiden, your words fill
me with establishment. But they remind
me of my companions whom left clos,
by--ah. they would DO very happy tt.
share your delightful hospitality beside
this warm fire."
MY father hal gone to lead them
hither, monseigneur.
But can you tell mo what they have
been doing-you who have knowledge Of
so many thingsF
.Toini knows nothing. Toini is but u
poor and simple girl. Sho only repeats
what her father tells her. and her father
dictates nothing that his haltia familiar
spirit Of the Finnish wizardsl does not
| inspire"
Your father cuitivates the supernat,
ural sciences them"
my father 10 sage"
"Why do you look at me with that air
of distrust? Is it dishonorable in your
country to cultivate wisdom?"
mo. sir; we love and esteem wisdom
Our ancient sages call it the especial
gift of tho gods. the only one indeed
worth the penalty of life"
Nevertheless your father has enc
mics"
''One only, monseigneur-on only. for
everybody venerates and fears him. That
enemy is the black priest Snontekis
From time to time he makes his appear
ance in this neighborhood and drags us
from our home to make us accompany
him to Rowaniemi; besides no threatens
us with imprisonment and death-all
this because my father is troll. tic
taja."
"What is tietaja, pretty childT'
II will tell you. A tietaia is a sage, a
man Of power who possesses the words
of life and knows how to apply them; u
tietaja is the friend of the great spirits
who dwell in the depths Of the sea. on
the wings Of the clouds. and even among
the peaks Of the Hottest mountains: a
tietaja is one who understands tho mys-
terry of ecstasies. and to whom the haltia.
| fha epirit nf aueeor dieeloaae ayar-x, th;p,,.