The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-17


 Never had the Danube seemed more beautiful than 1t did then, as they looked from their height and saw it's pleasant beginning Let us follow the river," said Huldbrand. The next day they boarded a great boat and began their journey. But they had not gone many miles before Cool-fount commenced his trickeries, so that the boatmen were first vexed and then frightened by strange occurrences that they had never experienced before.
 Huldbrand, too began to feel intensely disturbed and annoyed, especially when the boatmen began to look shyly at Un- dine, who checked the rivers mischief constantly by murmuring a few words. At last, when hand rose from the water and snatched a golden chain that Ber- talda was dangling in it, his anger over came him.
 would that you were with your demon relativesr cried he, without realizing what he was saying.
 At the words Undine began to sob like a child Alas, dearest one,' said she, farewell, farewell. They shall not harm you only remain faithful, else I cannot guard you. But I must go away away, and stay away for all my life. Oh, what have you done What have you donei
 She leaned over the edge of the boat. whether she stepped into water or dis solved in it, the eyes of the frightened watchers could not perceive. Only the waves seemed to whisper all around the craft: "Farewell Be truei Farewell!'
 Huldbrand lay on the deck weeping bitterly; and so the boat turned and crept slowly up the Danube again, homeward to the place that was no home to him without Undine.
 Bertalda shared his sorrow, and for many months these two, whose dawning love had made Undne suffer so much, did not dream of love again, but were united in pure selfess grief Perhaps it would have remained so all their lives had not the old fisherman appeared one day and demanded that Bertalda follow him. "Whether my daughter loves or hates me-" said he, "does not concern me now. It is not right that she should remain here"
 At this the knight realized all at once what dread he had of being alone. He felt that he could not leave the castle where he had been so happy and had be- come so wretched. The prospect of part ing from Bertalda awoke again his affec- ton for her. and this without lessening his love for Undine; but he could not help loving her as one who was dead.
 Despite the protests of the old fisher man, the knight sent for the priest who had performed the first ceremony. The old man arrived without delay, but not to marry them. q come to prevent a deadly sin," said he. For two weeks now Undine has appeared to me nightly, wringing her hands and crying: "1 still live. Dear father, save his soul and his bodyr"
 Although the two felt in their hearts that he was right, they would not admit it. Seing that his warning was in vain the priest departed, refusing to wait even for refreshments; and Huldbrand sent at once for another who performed the cere- mony willingly enough.
 As soon as the two were married Der taid withdrew with her servants to change her garments. She noticed little freckle on her neck and said: Alas, 1 wish I had some of the water from the fountain" maid slipped away at once and when Bertalda looked out men were lifting the great slab.
 Hardly had it fallen away when some- thing pale arose solemnly. At first 1t looked like a jet of foaming water. Then the men stepped back in terror, for they saw that it was womans form, all yelled in white.
 The appariton clasped it's hands as in bitter agony and wept passionately. Slow ly it moved toward the castle.
 Bertalda tried to scream, but could utter no sound. Her maids sank trembling at her feet and she sank down among them, swooning.
 Huldbrand was standing sadly before a mirror Suddenly he saw it reflect white form that entered silently. "They have opened the fountain" said a well-ren1enl- bered voice, and now am here and you must die.''
 He felt in his halting heart that 1t was true, covered his eyes with his hands and said: "Do not make me mad with terror in this hour of my death If you bear a demonac aspect under your veil, lift it not, but do judgment on me without letting me see you.''
 Alas sighed Undine, "do you not wish to see me one last time? l am as l was when you wooed me-"
 'sOh if that were so, sobbed Huld- brand and might die with your kiss on my lips!''
 She threw back her veil and her lovely face smiled on him. She clasped him and did not let him go again, but kissed him and wept as if she were trying to weep away her soul.
 Her tears flowed into the knights eyes and seemed to suffuse his heart with splendid pain till at last her breath ceased and he sank gently from the beauuful arms and lay on his couch dead.
 q have wept him to death, she sa1d 10 the servants and moved slowly through the frightened throng to the fountain, where she disappeared.
 Next Sundays one-page classic will be ''It is Never too Late to Mend,' by Charles Reade.