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

water where the varied hues Of the sky
were clearly mirrored when slight
creaking, cracking sound was heard,
as of some obstacle grazing against or
humping the side of the yacht. He
! looked, and saw, to his surprise, a
small rowing boat close under the
gunwale, so close indeed that the slow
motion OF the tide heaved it every
Low and then into jerky collision
! with the lower framework of the
F"lalie--a circumstance which eX-
planned the sound which had attracted
lis attention. The boat was not un-
uccupied--thore was some one In 1t ~
ing straight across the seats, with
face turned upwards to the sky--and,
walking noiselesly to a better post
of observation, Errington's heart beat
with some excitement as he recognized
the long, fair, unkempt locks and &c
centric attire Of the strange parsonage
who had confronted him in the cave
the crazy little man who had called
himself "Slgurd." There he was, be-
yond doubt, lying fiat on his back
with his eyes closed Asleep or dead?
He might have been the latter,--his
thin face was so pale and drawn, -
his lips were so set and colorless. En-
rngtOn, astonshed to see him there,
called "Sigurd! Sigurd!' There
was no answer; Sigurds form seemed
| nanimate--his eyes remained fast
shut.
rs he in a trance?" thought Sir
Philip wonderingly; COR has he tainted
from some physical exhaustion?"
He called again, but again received
no reply. He now observed in the
stern Of the boat a large bunch of
pansies, dark IS velvet, and evidently
freshly gathered, proving that Sigurd
had been wandering in the deep valleys
and on the sloping sides of the hills,
where these flowers may be frequently
found in Norway during the summer.
He began to feel rather uncomfort
figure In the boat, and was just about
to swing down the companiolladder
for the purpose of closer inspection,
when "a glorious burst of light stream
ed radiantly over the Fjord, the sun
conquered the masses OF dark cloud
that had striven to conceal his beauty,
and noW,-like warrior clad in
golden armor, surmounted and trod
down his enemies, shining forth in all
his splendor. With that rush of
brilliant effulgence, the apparently
lifeless Sigurd stirred, he opened
his eyes, and rs they were turned up
wards, he naturally, from his close
vicinity to the side OF the Eulalie, met
Erringtons gaze fixed inquiringly and
somewhat anxiously upon him. He
sprang up with such sudden and fierce
haste that his frail boat rocked dan
gerously and Philip Involuntary
cried out
Take care!"
Sigurd stood upright in his swayins
skiff and laughed scornfully.
Take care!" he echoed derisyely.
~ Is you who should take care! You
- poor miserable moth on the edge CT
a mad storm! 1t Is you to fear-not |.
Sec how the light rains over the broad
sky. All for me! Yes, all the light, all
the glory for me! all the darkness, all
the shame for you'll"
Errington listened to these rawlings
with an air of patience and plying
gentlcness, then he said with perfect
cOolness--
You are quite right, Sigurd You
are always right, | am sure. Come up
here and see nc; | won't hart you!
Come along!"
The friendly tone and gentle man
ner appeared to soothe the unhappy
dwarf, for he stared doubtfully, then
smiled, and finally, as though acting
under spell he took up an oar and
propelled himself skillfully enough to
the gangway, where Burlington let
down the ladder and with his own
hand assisted his visitor to mount,
not forgetting to fasten the boat safely
to the steps as he did no. Once on
deck, Sigurd gazed about him perpleX-
eddy. He had brought his bunch of
parsies with him, and he fingered
their soft leaves thoughtfully Sud
denly his eyes flashed.
You are alone here?" he asked
abruptly.
Fearing to scare his strange guest by
the mention of his companions, Err
rington answered simply
Yes, quite alone just now, Sigurd.
Sigurd took step closer towards
him. Are you not afraid?" he said
in an awe-struck, solemn voice.
Sir Philip smiled. II never was
afraid Of anything in my li(e!" he
answered.
The dwarf eyed him keenly You
are not afraid" he went on, that |
shall kill you?"
mot in the least" returned Erring-
ton calmly. You Would not do any
thing so foolish, my friend
Sigurd laughed. "Ha ha! You call
me friend You think that word a
safeguard! | tell you, no! There are
no friends now; the world is great
field Of battle, each man fights the