Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-04-08

uiuueu uSLupH VI luS cave WERE uluNh-
ing him, a demon whose merriment /
was intense but also horrible. He
heard the unpleasant jeering repetition
with kind of careless admiration
That echo would make fortune in
Faust. il it could be persuaded to hack
up Mephistopheles with that truly fen
dish 'Ha hat he said. reSuming his
examination of the name on the door, |
Then an odd fancy seized him, and he
called loudly
"Thelma"
"ThelmaT shouted the echo
lis that her nance"
Her manner replied the echo.
Il thought soi' And Philip laughed
again, while the echo laughed wildly
in answer. Just the sort Of name to
suit Norwegian nymph or goddess,
theima is quaint and appropriate, and
rs far as | can remember there's no
rhyme to it in the English language,
"Thelma" And he fingered on the pro-
nunciation of the strange word with
a curious sensation of pleasure,
There is something myster!ously sug-
gestive about the sound of it; like a
chord of music played softly in the
distance. Now, can l get through this
door, | wonder?"
He pushed 1t gently. 1t yielded
very slightly, and he tried again and
yet again, Finally, he put down the
lamp and set his shoulder against the
wooden barrier with all his force. A
| dull creaking sound rewarded his ef
forts, and inch by inch the huge door
opened mo what at first appeared I'M
| measurable darkness Holding up the
| light he looked in, and uttered a smoth-
cred exclamation. A sudden gust of
wind rushed from the sea through the
passage and extinguished the lamp,
leaving him in profound gloom. Moth
ing daunted he sought his fusee case;
there was just one left in 1t. This he
hastily struck, and shielding the glow
carefully with one hand, reit his lamp.
and stepped boldly into the mysterious
grotto
The murmur of the wind and waves
like spirit-voces in unison, followed
him as he entered, He found himself
in spacious winding corridor. that
had evidently been followed out in
the rocks and fashioned by human
hands. Its construction was after the
ancient Gothic method; but the wonder
of the place consisted in the walls
Which were entirely covered with shells
shells OF every shape and hue--some
delicate as rose-eaves some rough and
prickly, others polished as ivory,
some cleaning with thousand irrides-
cent colors, others pure white as the
foam on high pillows. Many of them
were turned white as the foam on high
pillows. Many OF them were turned
artistically in such a position as to
show their inner sides glistening with
soft tints like the shades OF fine silk
or satin, Others glittered with the
opaline sheen OF mother-o pearl All
were arranged in exquisite patterns,
evidently copied from fixed mathe-
NAUTICAL designs were stars,
crescents, roses, sun-howers, hearts.
crossed daggers, ships and implements
of war all faithfully depicted with en-
tlaordinary neatness and care, as
though each particular emblem had
served some special purpose.
Sir Philip walked along very slowly,
delighted with his discovery, and,
pausing to examine each panel as he
passed, amused himself with spocula
tions as to the meaning Of this beautiful
cavern, so fancifully yet skillfully |
decorated.
Some old place Of worship. I sup
pose" he thought. There must be
many such hidden in different parts of
Norway. 1t has nothing to do with
the Christian faith, for among all these
devices | don't perceive single
cross"
He was right. There were no crosses
but there were mahy designs Of the
sun-the sun rising, the sun setting, |
the sun in full glory. with all his rays
embroidered round him in tiny shells. |
some OF them no bigger than a pima .
head
What waste Of time and labor" +
he unused. Who would undertake I
such a thing nowadays? Fancy the
patience and delicacy OF finger required
to fit all these shells in their places,
and they are embedded in strong NOR
tar too, as II the work were meant to
be indestructible.
Full Of pleased interest, he pursued
his way, winding in and out through
different arches, all more or less richly
crnamented, ill he came to a tall
round column, which seemingly sup
pt rted the whole gallery, for all the
arches converged towards 1t. 1t was
garlanded from top to bottom with
roses and their leaves, all worked In
pink and lilac shells, interspersed with
small pieces Of shingng amber and
polished malachite. The flicker OF the
lamp he carried, made II glisten like
mass OF jewel-work, and, absorbed
in his close examination OF this unique
specimen OF ancient art, Sir Philip did
not at once perceive that another light
beside his own glimmered from out