Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-05-12

SLe 10 Inltlp NeStSruaN~-a n(ltS paIS
crimson heart. He wore 1t, and
seemed glad!"
She passed her hand across her fore
head with troubled air, and watched
Ulrika, who quietly closed the window
against the darkness and desolation of
the night, Are you \ friend"" she
asked presently in anxious tones, |
know so many that say they are
my friends but am afraid of them
all-and | have left them. DO YOU
know Why" aud she laid her hand on
Ulrikas rough arm. Because they
tell me my Philip does not love me
any more. They are very cruel to say
so, and | think it cannot be true. |
want to tell my father what they say
because he will know and II II is
true, then | wish to die,-l could not
live, Will you take me to my faith
err"
The plaintive, pleading sentleness
of her voice and look brought tears
into Ulrika's eyes that had never been
forced thele by her devotional eNer-
cises, and the miseraelr Naldemar
already broken-hearted by his mas
ter's death. turned away and sohbing-
~ cursed his gods for this new and UNI
deserved athiction. AS the Italian
peaSantry fall to abusing their saints
in time of trouble, even so will the
few remaining believers in Morse legen-
Diary lore upbraid their fierce divini-
ties with the most reckless hardihood
when things go wrong. There were
times when Nalden,ar Svcnsen secretly
quailed at the mere thought of the
when he was ready to pluck the great
god by the beard and beat him with
the fiat OF his own drawn sword. This
was his humor at the present moment,
as he averted his gaze from the pitt
full sight of his Kings" fair daughter
all desolate and Woe begone, her love
ly face pale with anguish sweet
, wits wandering, and her whole de-
meanor that of one who Is lost in
some dark forest, and Is weary unto
death She studied Ulrika's rough
visage attentiyely. and presently
noticed the tears on her cheeks.
You are crying!" she said in tone
of grave surprise why? 1t is
foolish to cry even when the heart
aches. have found that, no one in
the world ever pties you! But per-
haps you do not know the world .--ah!
1t is very hard and cold:-all the
fjord-he had forgotten all about the
people hide their feelings, and pretend
to be what they are not. 1t is difficult
to live so.-and | am tired"
She rose from her chair. and stood
up unsteadily. stretching out her little
cold white hands to Ulrika, who folded
them in her own strong coarse palms.
"Yes-I am very tired" she went on
dreamily. There seems to be nothing
that Is true all is false and unreal
cannot understand! But you seem
kind, her swaying figure tot
tered, and Ulrika drew her more close.
ly to herself think know you
you came with me in the train, did
you not? Yes-and the little baby
smiled and slept in my arms nearly
all the way" A violent shuddering
seized her, and culver of agony
passed over her face.
Forgive me" she murmured. 81
feel ill-very ill---and cold---but do not
mind-I-think--T am dying!" She
could scarcely articulate these last
words-she sank forward, fainting, on
Ulrika's breast, and that devout dis
ciple OF Luther, forgetting all her
former dread of the white witch of
the Altenfjord" only remembered
that she held in her arms helpless
woman with all the sorrOws and pangs
of womanhood thick upon her. and
in this act of warm heart expansion
and timely tenderness, 1t may be that
she cleansed her soul in the sight of
the God she worshipped. and won a
look Of pardon from the ever watch
ful eyes of Christ
AS far as mundane matters were
N'''Nti h'h, SHt SuoNtu UbISPII Il
woman of prompt energy and decision
Laying Thelma gently down upon the
very couch her dead father had so
lately occupied, she sent the distracted
Valdemar out to gather fresh pine
logs for the fire. and then busted her
self in bringing down Thelma's own
little bed from the upper floor, airing
1t with methodical care, and making 1t
up. Finally. Thelma regained her con
seriousness. and began to toss and tum-
BILE and talk deliriously; but with II all
she retained the innate gentleness and
patience, and submitted to be I'M
dressed, though she began to sob
pleadingly when Ulrika would have
removed her husbands miniature
from where 1t lay pressed against her
bosom land taking 1t In her own
hand she kissed and held 1t fast One
by one, the dainty articles OF delicate
apparel she wore were loosened and
laid aside, Ulrika wondering at the
embroidered linen and costly lace. the
like Of which was never seen in that