The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1921-11-11

tation complies, and one day near q
statue Of liberty for which the coun-
tess was the model, the king clasps
her in his arms and imprints the
kiss of eternity" upon her lips. Later
at a ball he tells her that she is
beautiful and that he loves her, and
she consoles herself with the thought
that "the priest gave him to the
queen but nat1re gave him to her."
At an oppoftdne moment her broth
er Bruno tells Irma that her actions
are the talk of the town and the best
way out of the matter is for her to
get married. Colonel Won Bronnen, a
noble courtier, proposes to her but is
rejected, and the countess begins to
realize that: at is hell to be con-
scious of guilt and yet remain beside
pure and happy creature"
In the meantime, Walpurga COM
pletes her term Of service, and before
leaving for home calls upon Irma, who
gives her a bag of gold won at the
gaming table the night before.
In the little village in the High
lands, every one at first patronized
Walpurga and Hansai, but receiving
no favors at their hands, the people
show that human nature is the same
there as at court, for they circulate
all sorts of scandalous tales concern
ing them, but when the happy couple
purchase an extensive freehold" the
good wishes of all their old friends
go with them to their new abode. At
this juncture, some one at court writes
to Irma's father, informing him that
she is ''the kings mistress" and at the
news he is fatally stricken, but before
he passes away he presses his hand
to his daughters brow and she inter-
prets the act as setting there the mark
of Cain and wears a bandage over it
forever after.
Irma is now in a terrible state Of
mind and when the king writes to her:
81 alone can kiss away the shadows
that cloud your brow" it only in
creases her desperation and she re-
solves upon suicide.
She writes thus to the queen: 81
expiate my crime in DEATH" And to
the king: ''We are treading the wrong
path. You belong not to yourself alone,
but to your people. Death is my ex-
piation for sin. Life must be yours.
God knows we did not mean to do
wrong"
On the way to end her life, the
countess meets pitiable woman who
had been ruined by her brother, Bru-
no. This woman browns herself in
the lake and Irma stumbles on, bruised
and bewildered, and is found by Wal
purga and Hansai on their journey to
their newly purchased freehold. Con-
cealing her identity from all but Wal
purga, she accompanies the party to
their mountain home.
Report of the countess death soon
spreads abroad and search is made
for her body, but no trace of it is
found, yet tablet is erected by the
lake bearing this inscription: "Here
persisted Irma, Countess of Wildenort
in the twenty-first year of her life
Traveller, pray for and honor her mem.
ory."
Back at court, the king upon re.
ceiving Irma's letter is deeply repent.
ant and saddened by the reflection
that "there is no greatness without
morality" He goes to the queens
room to ask her forgiveness, but she
is full of bitterness and feigns to be
asleep and later she vents her spite
and vituperation upon him.
The king thinks that DR.. Gunther is
responsible for this, and the physician
is discharged and goes back to live in
his old home in the Highlands.
For three years Irma lives with Wal.
purga, supposedly dead, but really ex.
plating her sins and so growing in
sweetness and purity, that all who en-.
ter her presence look upon her as an
angel and are lifted and inspired.
At length on day when the king
and queen and the court are at a near
by village. Irma fatally ill, sends fol
DIR. Gunther, who hastens to her side
and placing his hand upon her fore
head pronounces this benediction: "In
your fathers name bless you and
with this kiss away your burdens
You are Free"
Walpurga hastens to the queen who
is now stricken with self-condemnation
for her hateful spirit and her unjust
pride in her own virtue. She realizes
that rma's penance is, one through
which she herself ought to pass and
when she reaches the shepherds hut
there is mutual forgiveness.
The king has been hunting in the
vicinity. Since receiving Irma's let
ter, he has lived manly life, and In
penitence has sought to promote the
welfare of all his people. Word is
conveyed to him of what is taking
place, and he rides with all haste, but
arrives on the scene only to find that
the countess has passed away; but
his heart leaps with joy when the
queen turns to him with the cry: "For-
give me, Kurt. You have expiated.
You-alone. She-alone." Her majes-
ty takes out an amulet, which she has
worn next to her heart. 1t is the be-
trothal ring the king had given her
and he puts it again upon her finger
and clasps her in his arms.
The countess was laid at rest at ear
ly dawn. Down in the valley the king
and queen were reading her journal.
''They gazed at the rosy dawn and
lifted their eyes to the mountains-to
where Irma had been buried, On the
Heights.