Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-05-26

the most perfect silence, AT last she
could endure il no longer--and, re-
CARELESS OF Clrika's remonstrances, she
stole on tip-toe to the closed door that
barred her from the sight OF her
hearts idol, and turning the handle
softly, opened It and looked In. Sir
Philip saw her, and made a little warn.
Ing sign, though he smiled.
He was sitting by the bedside, and in
his arms, nestled against his shoulder,
Thelma rested, She was fast asleep,
The lines OF pain had disappeared
from her sweet face--a smile was ON
her lips-her breath came and went
with peaceful regularity and the
delicate hue OF a pale rose flushed her
cheeks. brtta stood gazing ON this
fair sight TIL her affectionate iittle
heart overlooked, and the ready tears
dropped like diamonds from her curly
lashes
oh, my dear~-my dear!" she whis-
pered In sort OF rapture when there
was a gentle movement, and two star
like eyes opeEcd like blue flowers out
spreading To the sun.
is that YOU. Britta%" asked n tender
wondering voice--and with n smother
ed cry OF ecstasy, Rritta sprang to
seize tho outstretChed hand Of her be.
loved Froken, and cover II with kisses
And while Thelma laughed with plea
sure to see her, and stroked her hair
Sir Philip described their Ions drive
through the snow, and so warmly
praised Britta's patience, endurance
and constant cheerfulness, that his
voice trembled with Its own earnest.
Ness, while Britta grew rosly red In
her deep shyness and embarrassment
vehemently protesting that she had
done nothing, nothing at all to de-
serve so much commentator, Then
after much glad converse, ulrlka was
called, and Sir Philip selling her hand
shook It with such force and fervor
that she was quite overcome,
Il don't know how to thank you,'
he said, his eyes sparkling with graft.
goodness MS yours! My wife tells me
how tender and patient and devoted
YOU have been that even when she
knew nothing else. she was aware II
your kindness. God bless you for II!
You have saved her life"
All, yes indeed" interrupted
Thelma gently. And life has grown
so glad for me again! ! do owe you SC
much"
You owe me nothing" said Ulrika
In those harsh, monotonous tones
which she had of late learned to mod
ulate. Nothing. The debt Ia all or
my side" She stopped abruptly
dull red color flushed her face hol
eyes dwelt Oh Thema with n muslnl
tenderness.
| Sir Philip looked at her In some sur
prise.
Yes" she went on. "The debt II
all on my side. Hear me ont. Sir Phil
lp-and You oo,-~you rose of tn,
northern forest, as Sigurd used to chi
You! You have not forgotten Slgurd? p
Forgotten him." said Thelma soft
ly. Never! ~ loved him too well!'
ulrika's head dropped. He was my
son!" she said.
There was Il silence OF complete as.
constituent. Ulrika paused-then. M
no one uttered word, she looked uI
boldly, and spoke with sort of des
perate determination,
You see you have nothing to thanh
ME for" she went on, addressing her.
self to Sir Philip, while Thelma, lean
Ing back on her pillows, regarded hei
with a new and amazed Interest,
Perhaps, II you had known what sort
OF woman was you would not have
liked me TO come near-her." And
she motioned towards Thelma. "Wher
| was young--long-aRo- loved
she laughed bitterly. at seems q
strange thing to say. does II not? Let
1t pass--the story Of my love, my Sin
and shame. need not be told here! Bu,
Sigurd was my child-born In an evil
hour-and IL strove TO kill him al
his birth"
Thelma uttered a faint cry OF horror
Ulrika turned an imploring gaze upon
her.
Don't hate mel" she said, her voice
trembling. Don't, for Gods sake, hate
me! You don't know what have suf-
fered! was mad, think. at the time
i flung the child in the Fjord TO
drown; your father Olaf Guldmar,
rescued him. 1 never knew that TIL
long after; for years he crime had
committed weighed upon my SOUL
prayed and stroye with the Lord for
pardon, but always, always felt that
Tor me there was no forgiveness. Lo-
visa Elsland used 70 call me murder
ess;;" she was right was one. or so
| thought--till--til that day met you.
froken Thelma. on the hills with ST.
gurd,--and the lad fought with me-"
She shuddered, and her eyes looked
wild. Il recognized him--no matter
now! he bore my mark upon him
he was myson-mine--the deformed,
crazy creature who yet had wit enough