Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-06-10

| The deck chairs and seemed painfully
erdeavoring to put his scattered ideas
| liz order. Errington studied him with
gentle forbearance; inWardly he was
very curious to know whether this
Sigurd had any connection with the
Guldmars, but he refrained from ask
ing too many questions. He simply
said in a CHEEKY tone ...-
Yes, Sigurd, why did you come to
see me? I'm glad you did; it's very
kind of you, but don't think you even
know my name"
To his surprise, Sigurd looked up
with more settled and resolved ex-
preston of face, and answered almost
as connectedly as any sane man could
have done.
II know your name very well, he
said in a low composed manner. You
are Sir Philip ErringtCn, rich Eng
llsh nobleman. Fate led you to her
grave--a grave that no strange feet
have ever passed, save yours-and 50
| | know you are the man for whom her
spirit has wanted has brought
| YOU HllHGI. IlpN lOOlioii w IiAihh o'N
sleeps under the stone, wnen she is
! always awake and busy, always at
work opposing me! Yes, though |
pray her to lie still, she will mott"
His voice grew wild again, and
Philip asked quietly
"Of whom are you speaking,
Sigurd?"
His steady tone seemed to have some
compelling influence on the confused
mind Of the h ( witted creature, "ho
ansW cred readily and at once
"Of whom should | speak but
Tlelma? Thelma, the beautiful rose
OF the northern forest-Thelma-"
lie broke off :bruptly with a long
shuddering sigh, and rocking himself
drcarily to and fro, gazed wistfuuy
cut to the sea. Errington hazarded
guess as to the purpose of that coffin
hidden in the shell cavern.
DO you mean Thelma living? o"
Thelma dead?'
Both" answered Slgurd promptly.
"They are one and the same, you
canEok part them. Mother and child,
rose and rosebud! One walks the
earth with the step of queen, the
other floats in the air like sllVery
cloud; but | see them join and embrace
and melt away into each others arms
till they unite in one form fairer than
the beauty of angels! And you-you
know this as we'll as | do-you have
seen Thelma. you have kissed the cup
of friendship with her; but remember!
not with me--not with mel
He started from his seat, and run
ming close to Errington, laid one
meagre hand on his chest.
How strong you are, how broad and
brave" he exclaimed with sort or
childish admiration. And can you not
be generous too?'
Errington looked down upon him
ccmpassionately. He had learned
enough from his incoherent talk to
clear up what had seemed mystery.
The scardlous reports concerning
Olaf Guldmar were incorrect,-he
evidently laid the remains Of his wife
III the shell-cavern, for some reason
connected with his religious belief, and
Thelma's visits to the sacred spot
we're now easy of comprehension
No doubt it was she who placed fresh
flowers there every day, and kept the
little lamp burning before the crucifiX
as n sign of the faith her departed
mother had professed, and which she
herself followed. But who was Sigurd,
and what was he to the Gu'dmarrs?
Thinking this, he replied to the
dvarfs question by counter-inquiry
How shall be generous, Sigurd?
Tell me! What can l do to please
yCu?"
Sigurd's wild eyes sparkled with
pleasure.
Dol" he cried. "You can go away,
swiftly, swiftly over the seas, and the
Altenfjord need know you no more!
Spread your white sails!" and he
pointed excitedly up to the tall taper
ing masts of the Eulalie. you ar6
king here. Command and you are
obeyed! Go from us, go! What is there
here to delay you? Our mountains are
dark and gloomy,-the fields are wild
and desolute there are rocks, glaciers
and shrieking torrents that hiss like
serpents gliding into the sea. Oh, there
must be fairer lands thar this one,-
lands where ocean and sky are like
twin jewels set in one ring,-where
there are sweet flowers and fruits
and bright eyes to smile m you all
day-yes! for you are as god In your
strer 9Th and beauty-no woman will
be cruel to you! All! say YOU will so
away" and Sigurd's face was trans
figured into sort of panied beauty rs
he made his appeal. THAT is what |
came to seek you for,--to ask you to
set sail quickly and go, Tor why should
you wish 10 destroy me? | have done
you no harm as yet. Go!-and Odln
himself shall follow your path with
blessings"
TO be Continued.
ACCIDENTS THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN