Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-04-21
Continual.

law of blood Is supreme-srike TO the
very center of my heart-l do not fear
YOU! l killed her, l say-and therein
I. the servant of the Lord, was justi-
fed! Think you that the Most High
hath not commanded His elect to ut
terly destroy and trample underfoot
their enemies ?-and is not vengeance
mine as we'll as thine. accursed slave
of Odin?"
A spasm of pain here interrupted
her-she struggled violently for breath
and Ulrika supported her Guldmar
stood motionless, white with restrained
fury. his eyes blazing. Recovering by
slow degrees, Lovisa once more spoke
her voice was weaker, and sounded
long way off.
YEA. the Lord hath been on my
slde!" she said, and the hideous bias
pt envy ratified in her throat as IT was
uttered. "Listen-and hear how He
delivered mine enemy into my hands.
I watched her always followed hef
many and many a time, though she
never saw me- knew her favorite
path across the mountains, 1T led past
a rocky chasm. On the edge OF that
chasm there was a broad, fiat stone,
ard there she would sit often, reading.
or watching the fishing boats on the
Ford, and listening to the prattle OF
her child used to dream of that
stone. and wonder If | could loosen 1t!
l.
1t was strongly imbedded in the earth
but each day l went to teach day
I moved it! Little by little ] worked
till a mere touch would have sent 1t
hurting downwards,- yet it looked
as firm as ever" Guldmar uttered
fierce ejaculation of anguish-he put
one hand to his throat as though he
were sitting. Lovisa, watching him.
smiled vindictively, and continued
when I had done all I could do, l
lay in wait for her, hoping and pray
ing-my hour came at last! 1t was
bright sunny morning. little bird
had been twittering above the very
place-as It flew away, she approached
"a book vas in her hand,-her child
followed her at some little distance of.
Fortune favored me-a cluster OF pan
sizes had opened their blossoms a few
inches below the stone,-she saw them,
and, light as bird, sprang on II
and reached forward to gather them
-ah!"-and the wretched woman
clapped her hands and broke into NAL
igpant laughter-"I can hear her quick
shrek now-the crash Of the stones
and the crackle of branches as she fell
downtown to her death! Presently
the child came running,-it was too
Young to underestimate sat down pa
tiently waiting for its mother. How !
longed to kill it! but it sang to itself
like the bird that had flown away, ana
I could not! But she was gone-she
vas silent forever--the Lord be praised
for all His mercies! Was she smiling,
Olaf Guldmar, when you found her
dead?"
A strange solemnity Swallowed the
bonde's features. He turned his eyes
upon her steadily.
Blessing and honor be to the gods
of my fathers!" he said-"1 found her
-living!"
The change that came over Lovisa's
face at these words was inexpressibly
awful-she graw livid, and her lips
twitched convulsively.
Living -living!" she gasped.
"Living!" repeated Guldmar sternly.
"Vile bag! Your purpose was fustrat
ed! Your crime destroyed her beauty
and shortened her days-but she lived
lived for ten sweet, bitter years, hid
den away from all eyes save mine
mine that never grew tired of looking
ii, her patient, heavenly face! Ten
years held her as one holds jewel
and, when she died, her death was but
falling asleep in these fond arms
Lovisa raised herself with sharp
cry, and wrung her hands together
Ten years-ten years." she moaned.
VI thought her dead-and she lived on,
beloved and loving all the while. oh
God, God, why hast thou made mock
cry of Thy servant" She rocked her
self to and fro-then looked up with
an evil smile NAY, but she suffered!
That was best. 1t is worse TO suffer
tfan to die. Thank God, she SUI
fered,"
"Ay, she suffered" said Guldmar
iercely, scarcely able to restrain from
Selling upon the miserable old woman
and shaking the sinking life out OF her
And had | but guessed who caused
rer sufferings, by the sword OF Odin.
would have
Ulrika laid her hand on his suddenly
appraised arm.
Listen" she whispered. A low
wailing, like the cry of distressed
child, swept round and round the
house, followed by gust Of wind and
a gathering shower Of hailstones. A
strange blue light leaped up from the
sparkling 'og fire. and cast an un-
earthly glow through the room. A
deep stiffness ensued.
Then steady and clear and resonant
- uh he