Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-04-04
THE WOMAN OF WEI


liiC WHICH OOlC MN bif9ANC bhC NeeDiht
laying him gently on a bear rug be-
fore the fire. Then she sat on three
legged stool and dried her hair, which
the rain had drenched, while she told
pretty tales of the sea to the little
boy.
dimmed and shadows settled about the
rafters. But the little boy had lost all
fear of his charming guest.
"Will you tell me about the Light of
Liece?" he asked. why does it break
the spell of the Woman of Weii?"
Her brow grew dark and her eyes
flashed fire. but the child was gazing
into the dying Goals on the hearth and
saw not
"Ah!" she said in a soft voice. "Some
one has been telling you nonsense"
my father never speaks nonsense"
heplied the child, quietly.
"Then, ask him to tel you the
story" she said, sharply.
The little boy raised his head. rs
it not true?" he questioned.
"Perchance," she answered, and,
catching his arm, shook it roughly.
Come" she continued; there is gold
in the house; l bid you release it unto
me-"
The little boy gazed into the hand
some face with great, reproachful
eyes. 80 it WAS your voice 1 heard
in the darkness" was his sole reply.
st is voice which can summon
DEATH" she threatened; unless you
show me the gold / will bear you to
my castle under the sea-"
Olaf stood erect though his head
was whirling. Would not Urnurd give
all his wealth to save his son? Yet the
little store stood for years of toll.
When the sum should be sufficient it
was to build chapel for the poor in
memory of his mother.
you may take me-" the child said,
suddenly MY father has trusted me
as keeper of his house. 1 cannot give
up his treasure"
The woman sprang from the stool
and began to search the room, but
could discover nothing. Then she
caught Olaf angrily by the hand, drag
ging him after her out into the misty
night.
They Travelled far, past pools of wa
ter in the sand, past lone birds nesting
midst the cliffs, past solitary sailor
huts. on, on till they came to she'll
strewn beach sloping down to still,
deep sea.
Now you shall see my CASTLE said
the Woman of We'll, mockngly, and
lifting Olaf in her arms she sprang
into the ford
and shut his teeth against the briny
water that was choking him. He
could fancy his father returning at
dawn to an empty cabin empty save
for old Comrade, who could not speak.
"Still the gold is SAFE" he thought, half
deliriously; 'the gold is safe"
A wonderful light broke over the
IL
shower of sparks, which, as they
struck the water changed into hun
dreds of cleaning stones. With
cry of terror the Death Woman re-
leased her victim and plunged to the
bottom of the sea. A great wave
swept inshore. bearing on its crest the
half unconscious child. When he
opened his eyes he lay high up on the
shore and about him We're strewn
countless gems of untold value. Fill
ing his pockets and his cap, he sped
along the beach, reaching home just
as the dawn broke in the east, and
Urnurd's faithful dogs halted with
jingle of sleigh bells before the door.
Flinging his arms about his fathers
neck, he related the strange story. The
old Norseman could scarce credit such
fortune until he saw the sparkling
stones with his own eyes. Then, bow
ing his white head revenently he muir
INJURED, "'Twas the Beautiful Light of
Liece-the Beautiful Light of Liecei"
What is the Light of Liece?" the
child asked, eagerly. "Tell me, ia
ther.''
But Urnurd turned to the sleigh.
breakfast for ourselves and the
weary dogs, my son. he said; A"then
we must hasten to Hapsden to share
our gain with the poor. We will build
a chapel to your sainted mother and a
warmer lodge for the dogs. Some
night when we have rest by the fire
I will tell you of the Beautiful Light
of Liece."