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

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 ten Ger, shy little maid in the same person.
 That evening she took Huldbrands arm and drew him softly to the stream, where she begged him to bear her across to the little islet
 stream will be in its old bounds and you can ride away again. Whether you go with me or without me depends on your self. 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 crea- lures, mostly more beautiful than human beings, who are known as Undines. Sweetheart, I am an Undinet'
 Huldbrand's scalp seemed to him to rise He tried to convince himself that his love ly wife was only indulsing in one of her familiar wild moods; but the woefully frightened and anxious countenance that watched his assured him only too well that she was speaking solemn earnest He stared at her in speeches. awe, while she continued:
 "We would be far happier down there than other human belngs-for we call ourselves human beings-were it not for one thing. We disappear, body and spirit, when we die: and while you awaken after death to purer and fairer life we go where spark and wind and wave go. We have no souls-the clements obey liS while we live and reduce us to dust when we die. We are happy and know not fr1C md Eclan Rtft axv father, who was powerful Prince of the Waters in the Mediterranean, desired that l should have a soul.
 We Undines can gain a soul only by being united in true love with one of your human race. Oh, you, whom l love be- yond words, to you I owe my soul that has come to me. What shall do if you hate me now and cast me off? Yet would not keep you through deceit. Dis own me if you will and go back to your land alone. will dive into this stream, whose spirit is my uncle. He who brought me here laughing, light-hearted child may take me home again a loving, sor- rowing woman.'' s--
 Before she could say more Huldbrand clasped her and bore her gently back to shore. He swore to her that he would never forsako her and called himself the most fortunate of msnliind Undine looked at him with eyes that shone through happy tears.
 True to her word tho stream retired into it's old bed that night and Undine begged her husband to go away with her at once. although he wished to finger for a time in the quiet place wnerc he had found her "The old people, said she, will find it hard enough to let me go. If they see now how deeply I love and honor them since my soul came to me the part ing will break their hearts. Let me not show them my soul now that they are to lose me. I cannot conceal it from them if we stay.'
 Huldbrand agreed with her and before noon of that day he lifted his wife to his horse and crossed the stream with the priest who accompanied them. Undine wept quietly but bitterly. The old people lamented aloud as the three disappeared It was as if there had come to them a sense of what they were losing.
 Silently the three pressed into the dark forest. The path seemed to open before them. Suddenly Huldbrand was startled by seeing that a man dressed in flowing white garments was walking by the side of the priest and whispering into his ear. Hardly had they perceived him before he turned and strode to the side of the horse. "I prey" exclaimed Undine, that you leave me. Do not appear to me again. My husband will fear mo if he sees my strange relatives
 My little niece" said the man, you must not forget your uncle Cool-fount so soon-your old uncle Cool-foun- who car ried you so faithfully into this region and who swept wonder priest ashore for your wedding"
 q am afraid of you," said Undine q beg of you, disappear from my life and let us go in peace"
 At these words Cool-fount glared at