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


raised his head-his face was full of
rapt and expectant gravity,-his ac-
ton, too, was somewhat singular, for
he drew the knife from his girdle and
kissed the hilt solemnly, returning 1t
Immediately to its sheath. At the
same moment Lovisa uttered loud
cry, and flinging the coverings from
Ter, strove to rise from her bed. N
rika held her tirmly,-she struggled
feebly yet determinediy, gazing the
while with straining, eager, CLASSY eyes
into the gloom of the opposite corner
Observation-Disclosures" she muttered
hoarsely and the white, white faces
Of dead things! There-there they
lie!-all still, at the foot of the black
chasm-their mouths move without
sound-what-what are they saying?
| cannot hear-ask them to speak
/ louder louder! ALI" and she uttered
! terrified scream that made the raft
ers ring. They move!-they stretch
out their hands-cold cold hands,
! they are drawing me down to them
down-down-to that darkness! Hold
me-hold me! don't Jet me go to them
Lord, Lord be merciful to me-let
ME live-live-" Suddenly she drew
back in deadly horror, gesticulating
with her tremulous lean hands as
though ii shut away the sight of some
loathsome thing unveiled to her view.
Who is it"-she asked with an awful
shLddering whisper-"who is it that
says there is no hell? l see it,"
Still retreating backwards, backwards
the clammy hue of death darkenine
her affrighted CONFERENCE.-The
turned her glazing eyes for the last
time en- Guldmar. Her lips twitched
into smile of dreadful mockery.
"May-thy gods-reward thee-Olaf
Guldmareven-as are-ue-
warding-me!"
And with these words, her head
dropped heavily on her breast Ulrika
laid her back on her pillow, corpse
The stern, cruel smile froze slowly on
her dead gradually she be-
came, as 1t were, a sort of ancient
cenotaph, carved to resemble old age
combined with unrepenting evil--the
struggling white hair that rested on
.ler wrinkled forehead looking merely
like snow fallen on sculptured stone.
Good Lord, have mercy on her
SOUL" murmured Ulrika piously, as
she closed the upward staring eyes,
and crossed the withered hands.
Good devil, claim thine own!" said
Guldmar, with proudly lifted arm and
quivering, disdainful lips. Thou
foolish woman! Thinkest thou thy
Lord makes place for murderers in
His heaven? If so, It's we'll | am not
bound there! Only the just can tread
the pathway to the Valhalla,-'tis a
better creed!"
Ulrika looked at his superb erect
| figure and lofty head and a strangely
anxious expression fitted across her
| dull countenance.
| Nay, bonde, we do not believe that
the Lord accepteth murderers, without
they repent themselves of their back
slidings-but if with penitence they
turn TO Him even at the eleventh hour
haply they may be numbered among
the elect"
Guldmar's eyes flashed. Il know
lot thy creed, woman, nor care to
learn it! But, all the same, thou art
deceived in thy vain imaginings. The
Eternal Justice cannot err--call that
| justice Christ or Odin as thou wilt |
tell you, the soul OF the innocent bird
that perishes in the drifting snow is
near and dear TO its Creator-but the
tainted soul that had yonder vile body
for its tenement, was but flame OF
the evil one, and accursed from the be-
ginning,-it must return to him from
whom it came. A heaven for such as
she? Nay-rather the lowest circle Of
the furthest and fercest everlasting
fires and thither do commend her!
FAREWELL"
Rapidly muffiing himself up In his
wraps. he strobe out OF the house. He
sprang into his sledge. throwing a
generous gratuity to the small Laplan-
der who had taken charge OF 1t. and
who now ventured 10 inquire
Has the good Lovisa left us?'
Guldmar burst into a hard laugh.
Good! BY my soul! The folks Of
Talvig take up murdeners for saints
and criminals for guides! It's a wild
world! Yes-she has gone--where all
such blessed ones go-to-heaven!"
He shook his clenched fist in the air
tten hastily gathering mp the reins.
prepared to start.
The Lapp, after the manner Of his
race. was easily frightened. and cover
ed back, terrified at the bonde's men
acing gesture and fierce tone,-but
quickly bethinking himself OF the
liberal fee be clutched in his palm, he
volunteered a warning TO this kingly
old man with the streaming white
hair and beard. and the keen eyes that
we're already fixed on the dark sweep
Of the rough, uneven road winding to-
wards the Altenfjord.