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

thers You have saved me by saving
Sigum, saved me nom being weight
ed down TO hell with the crime of muir
der' And you made the boy happy
while he lived All the rest OF my
days spent In your service could not
pay back the worth OF that good deed.
And most heartily do thank the Lord
that he has mercitlly permitted me
to tend and comfort YOU In the hour
OF trouhle--and. moreover. that He has
given me strength to speak and con-
TESS my sin and unworthiness before
you ere depart, For now the trouble
is past. | must remove my shadow
from your Joy. God bless you!--and--
try to think as kindly as you can OF
ME for--for Sigurd's sakel"
STOPPING, she kissed Thelma's hand,
and, before any one had time to
speak n word, she left the room alb
ruptly
When. In a few minutes, Britta went
to look after her. she was gone. She
had departed to her own house In Bose
kop, where she obstinately remained.
Nothing would induce her to present
herself again before Sir Philip or Thel-
ma, and II was not till many days after
they had left the Altenfjord that she
was once more seen about the village.
And then she was q changed being No
longer harsh or forbidding In manner.
she became humble and gentle.--she
ministered to the sick. and consoled
the af!licted-bat she was especially ia
nous for her love OF children, All the
little ones OF the place knew her, and
were attracted by her, the time
came when Ulrika, whitehaired, and
OF peaceful oountennce, could be seen
knitting at her door In the long sum-
mer afternoons surrounded by whole
army OF laughing. chatterlng, dimpled
youngsters, who would play at hide
and-seek behind her chair, and clam
her up to kiss her wrinkled cheeks,
putting their chubby arms round hor
neck with that guileless confidence
children show only To those whom they
feel can appreciate such flattering at
tentions. Some Of her acquaintance
were wont to say that she was no long
or the "godly" ulrika but however
this might be, It IL certain she had
drifted little nearer TO the Author OF
all godliness, which, after all,--is tho
most We dare to strive for In all our
differing creeds.
II was not long before Thelma began
to recover. The day after her husband
arrived, aud ulrika departed, she rose
from her bed with BrItta's assistance.
and sat by tho blazing fire. wrapped In
her white gown and looking very fra.
GLE, though very lovely. Philip had
been talking to her for some time, and
now he sat at her feet, holding her
hand In hs,and watching her face, on
which there was an expression OF tho
most p|aintivo and serious penitenee.
Il have been very wicked!" she said.
with such a quaint horror of herself
that her husband laughed. NOW I
look back upon II all, | think have
behaved 20 very badlyl because I
ought never to have doubted you, my
boy no~-not for all the Lady Wins
leish's In the world, And poor Mr.. Me-
Iville!! he must be 80 unhappy! But
10 was that letter--that letter in your
own writing, Phillip"
"Of course!" he answered soothIngly.
mo wonder you thought mo a dread
ful fellow! But you won't do 80 again,
will you. Thelma? You will believe
that you nre the crown and center o,
my llfe-~the JOY OF all the world to
meY"
Yes, Will" she said softly and
proudly. Though II Is always the
same never do think myself worthy.
But must try to grow conceited, aud
assure myself that | am very valuable.
SO that then ! shall understand every
thing better, and be WISER"
Philip laughed. Talking OF letters"
he said suddenly, here's one ! wrote
to You from Hull--it only got here to-
day. Where It has seen delayed Ia a
mystery You needn't read it-you
know everything In It already. Then
there's a letter on the shelf up there
addressed In your wrItlngit seems
never TO have been opened"
He took II down, and gave II to
her. As she took It, her face grew
very sad,
1T Is the one wrote to my father
before left London" she said. AMI
her eyes filed with tears. 1T camo
too late!"
"Thelma." said Sir Philip then, very
gently and gravely, would you like
can You bear--to read your fathers
last words to you? He wrote to you
on his death-bed, and gave the letter
to Valdemar---" a
To be continued.