The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-17

ashore here had two rings sewed Into it." She ran into her chamber and re- turned with two splendid rings. Tne priest lit candles and performed the ceremony.
 When 1t was ended and the bride was sitting, trembling and silent by the side of the knight, the priest said: ''Why did you tell me that you were all alone on this island3 While was conducting the ceremony tail man In a white mantle looked in through the windcw?
 God forfendg said the fisherman. while the knight looked through the window without seeing anything. You must have been mistaken" said he, and sat down by the side of Undine again while the rest gathered contentedly around the young couple.
 Like a sudden change of the weath- CT, Undine's mood, that had been so si- lent and serious during the wedding. changed to the opposite. She leased parents and bridegroom. and the priest himself did not escape. At last even Huldbrand could not refrain from re- buking her gently, as she engaged In q wilder prank than before. She whis- pered into his ear, laugh ed and smooth = ed away his frown. The next instant she was madder than ever.
 My charming young woman" said LnO pTlG6tb II lS bE0C bHdI Ohc NdHHOl see you without pleasure. Yet you should bethink yourself to so attune your soul that 1t will always be In har- mony with that of your husband"
 Soul" laughed Undine. That sounds very pretty and may be very good for most people. But if a person has no soul"
 The priest turned away in pious an ger. Undine began to say more. A tremor seized her and she broke into passionate tears. Huldhrand felt a thrill of fear; but when she turned to him and sobbed:
 Alas! Now you will not want to keep me! And yet have done noth- ing evil. poor, poor child that am" he caught her in his arms and kissed her a hundred times
 The next morning Undine kneeled to the priest and begged him to forgive her. Then she embraced her foster parents and said. "Oh. you good. good people, only now do I realize what you have done for me-" She would not let the old woman undertake a single household duty. but moved about-a little matron and a tender. shy little maid in the same person.
 That evening she took Huldbrand's arm and drew him softly to the stream, where she begged him to bear her across to the little islet.
 
 stream will be in It's old bounds and you can ride away again. Wheth CT you 20 with me or with out me depends on yourself. My darling. you must know that there are creatures in earth and water who are like you and yet let no human being see them. In the earth are gnomes and cobolds and in the waters are creatures. mostly more beautiful than human beings who are known as Undines. Sweetheart I am an Undine"
 Huldbrand's scalp seemed to him to rise. He tried to convince himself that his lovely wife was only indulging in one of her familiar wild moods; but the wofully frightened and anxious coun- only too well that she was speaking in solemn earnest He stared at her in speechless awe. while she continued:
 we would be far happier down there than other human beings-for we call ourselves human beings-were 1t not for one thing. We disappear body and spirit, when we die; and while you awaken after death to a purer and fairer life we go where spark and wind and wave go. We have no souls-tht clements obey us while we live and re- duce us to dust when we die. We are happy and know not sorrow. like birds and fishes. But my father, who was s powerful Prlhce oi the waters III the Mediterranean, desired that I should have a soul.
 eve UndInes can gain a soul only by besin united In true love with one oi vour human race. Oh, you, whom | love beyond words, to you I owe my soul that has come to me. What shal I do if you hate me now and cast me of? Yet would not keep you throu eh 1 deceit. Disown me If you will and rt back to your land alone. will dive | into this stream. whose spirit Is my uncle. He who brought me here s laughing. light-hearted child may take me home again loving. soTrowinE wo. | naanr
 Before she could say more Huldbrand ] elas0ed her and bore her gently back