Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-05-05
I[F]ELaMZHZ
a Society Fovel.
CoRKLLL


snow and the icy wind on his face,
but he was as one In dream, realiz-
ing nothing plainly, TIL with wild
cart, he seemed to awake-and 10! he
TODD on the CLASSY deck Of the Walk
yrie with the body Of his king
tretched senseless before him! Had
brought him there? He could not
remember what he had done during
he past few mad minutes, nothing
angible In thought or memory But
here, most certainly, Olaf Guldmar
ay,-his pallid face upturned, his hair
nd beard as white as the snow that
lung to the masts OF his yessel-hls
and clenched on the fur garment that
nwrapped him as with robe Of
oyalty.
Dropping on his knees beside him,
'aldemar felt his heart-it still throb
bed ftfully and feebly. Watching the
intense calm Of the grand, rugged face
his stern, weather worn sailor-this
ian OF superstitious and heather i'm
agnations--gav way to womanish
Incere and passionate grief. His love
as of an exceptional type,-some-
thing like that OF n faithful dog that
eflises TO leave the grave Of It's mas
er,-he could contemplate death for
himself with absolute Indifference but
It for the bonde. whose sturdy
trength and splendid physique had
seemed to defy all danger
AS he knelt and wept unrestrainedly,
soft change, delicate transparency,
wept over the dark bosom Of the sky,
Pale pink streaks glttered on the
usky horizon-darts of light began
climb upward into the clouds, and
plunge downward into the water
no radiance spread, and gradually
ormed into n broad band of deep
crimson, which burned with fixed
nd Intense glow--topaz-like rays
tllckered and streamod about II. as
hough uncertain what fantastic shape
they should take to best display their
brilllancy. This tremulous hesitation
Of varying color did not last long: the
Jhole jewel-like mass swept together.
expanding and contracting with extra
ordinary swiftness for few seconds -
then, suddenly and clearly defined In
tho sky, Kingly Crown blazed forth,
Il Crown of perfect shape, It's five
points distinctly and separately out.
lined and flashing rs with million
In 81
warmly tinged the pale features of the
dying man, and startled Valdemar
who sprang to his feet and gazed at
hat mystic aureola with u cry of won
or. At the same moment Olaf Guild
mar stirred, and began to speak
drowsily without opening his eyes
Dawn on the seal" he murmured
Tho white waves CLEAN and sparkle
beneath the prov, and the ship makes
swift way through the waters! 1t Is
dawn In my heart--the dawn OF love
or thee and me. my Thelma--fear
ot! The rose OF passion Is a hardy
flower that can bloom In the north as
well as In the south, believe me!
Thelmn-Thelma."
lie suddenly opened his eyes, and
CALLING his surroundings, raised him.
SELF half erect
Set sail!" he cried, pointing with
najestic motion OF his arm to the dia-
dem glitterlng In the sky. "Why do
We llnger? The wind favors us, and
tho tide sweeps ACKNOWLEDGMENT
go how the lights beckon from the
harbor!" He bent his brows and
ooked almost angriy at Svensen.
DO what thou hast to dol" and his
tones were sharp and imperious. 81
must press ont"
An expression Of terror, pain. and
pity passed over the sailors counter
ance--for one instant he hesltated
the next, he descended into the hold
of the vessel. He was absent for
very little space but when he rc-
turned his eyes were wild as though
had been engaged In some dark
nd criminal deed. Olaf Guldmar was
still gazing at the brllancy In the
heavens, which seemed to increase IN
ize and lustre as the wind rose higher.
Svcnsen took his hand-it was lev
cold, and damp with the dow OF death
Let me go with thee!" he implored.
in broken accent II fear nothing,
Why should | not venture also on the
last voyage?"
Guldmar made a faint but decided
sign OF rejection,
Tho Viking sails alone to the grave
OF his fathers!" he said. with a serene
and proud smile. "Alone alonc
Neither wife, nor child, nor vassal
may have place with him In his ship
even so have the gods willed It. Fare
well, Naldemar! Loosen the ropes
and lot me go! thou scrvest me ILL.
hasten-hasten-I am weary OF wait
ing
His head fell back, that mysterious
shadow which darkens the face Of the
dying Il moment before dissolution
was on him now
Just then Il strange suffocating odor
began to permeate the air--little