Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-08

O'Clock that afternoon, Increased III VIZ
lcnce when the sun went down. and the
two men who had been struggling through
the German forest since noon feared that
they We're doomed to pass the night among
those gigantic trees with the thunder crash
Ing and booming over them and the VlVlo
and almost incessant lightning darling and
Missing through the branches. For hours
they had led their horses because the way
was too precarious for any other mode OF
procedure. They We're in the midst of
dense forest which they had attempted TO
cross without the aid of a guide. and now
darkness was upon them-darkness Which
they could not hope to penetrate
One OF them was tall and broad, almost
n giant in stature, with tawny hair and
beard and dn spite of their SURROUNDINGS
an easy. nonchaiant air of conscious supe-
rfortty to circumstances The other was
shorter and more compactiy built, with
swarthy face and dark eyes, alert, quick
motioned and cautious but not less coura-
geous than his companion.
Tell you what, CraddocK, said the tailer
of the two, when they paused TO ccliecl
their faculties and decide upon what was
best to do Il don't think L fancy what Is
paradoxically called dry land in storm
like this. Give me the sea, the open sea-
even ii l have nothing greater nor better
than a common yawl beneath me- II peats
these big trees and falling branches, WIN
never compass to steer by nor point IN
sight from which to take your bearings
What we are going to do now?
Forge ahead it is the only thing we can
do" replied Craddock.
call I'D the SUM- then, Mr.. Joshua, for
1t seems to be standing still on the wrong
side of the world. Call it up out OF the
depths, take an observation and L m with
you. AS for keeping our course-or any
in hi1PknpSS-lt
TO be out of the question
I'VE cannot remain here however.
The Norwegian laughed aloud.
1T looks to me though we would nave
to do that very thing" he said. Why
Grad we're surrounded by breakers and
they are the worst sort of breakers that l
ever ran afoul of. They're made of wood,
to be sure, but they as likely to make
q wreck of our spars as they are Of the
hull. If one of those falling twigs-and
III take my oath they're bigger round than
my legs-if one of them should rap you on
the head it would be worse than falling
from the main truck of a full-rigged ship
to the deck
The darkness was intense by this time,
although never a minute passed When IL
was not dispelled, for an instant, at least,
by the lightning. One of the flashes illu-
minated the scene as Thorgensen ceased
spe aking. and, without replying to the pro-
test OF the Norwegian, Craddock started
forward.
pausing between the flashes and making. as
Thorgensen expressed, las much headway
as possible" whenever the warning elements
permitted objects for a moment to be VS.
ible.-
The norwegian never abated his flow Of
conversation. and did not appear to heed
the fact that his companion replied in mon
osyIlables whenever he could do So Their
route led them over Instructions of all
kinds around huge powders, and often
underneath the fallen trunk of a forest
giant whose companions had not permitted
II to lie prone upon the ground, but with
OutStretChed arms sustained 1t so that It
only half reclined.
After journeying some distance they be-
gan to descend the sloping side of the noun
tain, and their way became easier. The
trees were separated by greater distances
and the clutter Of debris and moss-grown
rocks We're less frequent and smaller. The
wind howled on, the thunder continued to
boom and the lightning still played hide and
seek among the branches, but the darkness
seemed less dense. There were moments
when they could see the sky through the
tree tops
Once. when they halted to rest and were
about to start on again, the horse led by
Craddock, who was in the lead refused to
stir. and while his master was still urging
him fash of light revealed the fact that
they were standing on the edge of ravine,
into which five PAGES more would have pre-
cipitated them. and then out of the dark
ness beneath, far away and far below them
the quick eyes of the Norwegian discovered
q single glmmer of light.
Look there, Grad he said, grasping his
companio by the arm. do YOU see that?
Looks like a masthead light. Anyhow it's
beacon for US. Wen have to change our
course, but we can make it, Ell? Looks as
though We would have to come about and
try new tack. though: How do YOU make
out the bearings, old MANI
II think We are on a ledge which we can
60 around without much trouble. Hold my
horse till l take Soundings."
He disappeared in the darkness, and was
gone SO long that Thorgensen began to
stamp with impatience, and at last he called
out:
Where the devil are you. Grad? Down
in that black hoie?"
No, right here" replied Craddock at
his elbow. Come: l know the way now
There is a path just below us, and / think
1t leads to the house where the light shines
out. Before we start. though. Ralph l
want to ask few questions. You have
not deceived me concerning the purpose
OF your trip TO this part of the world |
knew when you asked me to come here
With you why you made the request 1,
Is the same old madness, Ralph-the love
OF peasant for a princess"
Yes, Grad. 1t Is the same old madness:
and as sure as 1 stand here in the midst
OF storm and darkness. with my eyes fixed
upon that giimmer Of light. l believe ,ha:
the power Of love has directed my steps
through this black forest, and that. beyond
that light she Is awaiting my coming Say
what you will, believe what you will, the
hand OF God Is In this! I know that she Is
there where that hight CLEANS out. And
believe that she knows that l am some
where near her.
Does she expect you, Ralph?"
No: not IN the sense that you mean
I have never communicated with her nor
attempted to do 50 since that night In the
Mediterranean. / have not intended to de-
ceive you in inducing you to come here
with me. L knew that you understand why
L came and why / wished to have you with
me- Do you know. Grad. that one month
from today IS the time fixed for her we'd
ding?'
Yes
DO you remember that. although I saw
her and listened TO her voice that evening
in the Mediterranean. although ] touched
her hand and kissed it, l uttered not one
word myself"
Yes: | remember"
The Norwegian threw back his head with
a gesture that Was majestic, and the flash
of lightning which illumined his face at
that instant revealed something that was
grand and inspiring about the aspect and
attitude Of the man. Presently he con-
tinued:
Il discovered that she was with a hunting
party at a lodge in this forest" he sl;a
ut belongs 20 enc of the German princes
] will not tell you his name You will soon
know IN whose domain you are. Yonder,
aIr lie ha ioJe,