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diff --git a/old/twohe10h.htm b/old/twohe10h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ae8b649 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/twohe10h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7386 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>Boysen</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> +</head> +<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000"> + +<h1>***The Project Gutenberg Etext of Tales From Two Hemispheres***</h1> +<pre> +Please take a look at the important information in this header. +We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an +electronic path open for the next readers. Do not remove this. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**Etexts Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*These Etexts Prepared By Hundreds of Volunteers and Donations* + +Information on contacting Project Gutenberg to get Etexts, and +further information is included below. We need your donations. + + +Tales From Two Hemispheres + +by Hjalmar Hjorth Boysen + +July, 1995 [Etext #299] + + +</pre> + +<p>Scanned by Charles Keller with OmniPage Professional OCR software donated by + Caere Corporation, 1-800-535-7226. </p> +<p>Contact Mike Lough <Mikel@caere.com> </p> +<p> + TALES FROM TWO HEMISPHERES.</p> +<p>BY</p> +<p>HJALMAR HJORTH BOYSEN.</p> +<p>1877</p> +<p></p> +<p> CONTENTS </p> +<p>---------------</p> +<p>THE MAN WHO LOST HIS NAME </p> +<p>THE STORY OF AN OUTCAST </p> +<p>A GOOD-FOR-NOTHING </p> +<p>A SCIENTIFIC VAGABOND </p> +<p>TRULS, THE NAMELESS </p> +<p>ASATHOR'S VENGEANCE</p> +<p> </p> +<p></p> +<p></p> +<p>TALES FROM TWO HEMISPHERES.</p> +<p>THE MAN WHO LOST HIS NAME.</p> +<p>ON the second day of June, 186--, a young Norseman, Halfdan Bjerk by name, + landed on the pier at Castle Garden. He passed through the straight and narrow + gate where he was asked his name, birthplace, and how much money he had,--at + which he grew very much frightened. </p> +<p>"And your destination?"--demanded the + gruff-looking functionary at the desk.</p> +<p>"America," said the youth, and touched his + hat politely.</p> +<p>"Do you think I have time for joking?" + roared the official, with an oath.</p> +<p>The Norseman ran his hand through his hair, + smiled his timidly conciliatory smile, and tried + his best to look brave; but his hand trembled + and his heart thumped away at an alarmingly + quickened tempo.</p> +<p>"Put him down for Nebraska!" cried a stout + red-cheeked individual (inwrapped in the mingled + fumes of tobacco and whisky) whose function + it was to open and shut the gate.</p> +<p>"There aint many as go to Nebraska."</p> +<p>"All right, Nebraska."</p> +<p>The gate swung open and the pressure from + behind urged the timid traveler on, while an + extra push from the gate-keeper sent him flying + in the direction of a board fence, where he sat + down and tried to realize that he was now in + the land of liberty.</p> +<p>Halfdan Bjerk was a tall, slender-limbed youth of very delicate frame; he had + a pair of wonderfully candid, unreflecting blue eyes, a smooth, clear, beardless + face, and soft, wavy light hair, which was pushed back from his forehead without + parting. His mouth and chin were well cut, but their lines were, perhaps, rather + weak for a man. When in repose, the ensemble of his features was exceedingly + pleasing and somehow reminded one of Correggio's St. John. He had left his native + land because he was an ardent republican and was abstractly convinced that man, + generically and individually, lives more happily in a republic than in a monarchy. + He had anticipated with keen pleasure the large, freely breathing life he was + to lead in a land where every man was his neighbor's brother, where no senseless + traditions kept a jealous watch over obsolete systems and shrines, and no chilling + prejudice blighted the spontaneous blossoming of the soul. </p> +<p>Halfdan was an only child. His father, a + poor government official, had died during his + infancy, and his mother had given music lessons, + and kept boarders, in order to gain the means + to give her son what is called a learned education. + In the Latin school Halfdan had enjoyed + the reputation of being a bright youth, and at + the age of eighteen, he had entered the + university under the most promising auspices. He + could make very fair verses, and play all + imaginable instruments with equal ease, which + made him a favorite in society. Moreover, he + possessed that very old-fashioned accomplishment + of cutting silhouettes; and what was more, + he could draw the most charmingly fantastic + arabesques for embroidery patterns, and he even + dabbled in portrait and landscape painting. + Whatever he turned his hand to, he did well, + in fact, astonishingly well for a dilettante, and + yet not well enough to claim the title of an + artist. Nor did it ever occur to him to make + such a claim. As one of his fellow-students + remarked in a fit of jealousy, "Once when Nature + had made three geniuses, a poet, a musician, + and a painter, she took all the remaining odds + and ends and shook them together at random + and the result was Halfdan Bjerk." This agreeable + melange of accomplishments, however, + proved very attractive to the ladies, who invited + the possessor to innumerable afternoon + tea-parties, where they drew heavy drafts on + his unflagging patience, and kept him steadily + engaged with patterns and designs for embroidery, + leather flowers, and other dainty knickknacks. + And in return for all his exertions + they called him "sweet" and "beautiful," and + applied to him many other enthusiastic adjectives + seldom heard in connection with masculine + names. In the university, talents of this order + gained but slight recognition, and when Halfdan + had for three years been preparing himself + in vain for the examen philosophicum, he found + himself slowly and imperceptibly drifting into + the ranks of the so-called studiosi perpetui, who + preserve a solemn silence at the examination + tables, fraternize with every new generation of + freshmen, and at last become part of the fixed + furniture of their Alma Mater. In the larger + American colleges, such men are mercilessly + dropped or sent to a Divinity School; but the + European universities, whose tempers the centuries + have mellowed, harbor in their spacious + Gothic bosoms a tenderer heart for their + unfortunate sons. There the professors greet them + at the green tables with a good-humored smile + of recognition; they are treated with gentle + forbearance, and are allowed to linger on, until + they die or become tutors in the families of + remote clergymen, where they invariably fall + in love with the handsomest daughter, and thus + lounge into a modest prosperity.</p> +<p>If this had been the fate of our friend Bjerk, + we should have dismissed him here with a confident + "vale" on his life's pilgrimage. But, + unfortunately, Bjerk was inclined to hold the + government in some way responsible for his own + poor success as a student, and this, in connection + with an aesthetic enthusiasm for ancient Greece, + gradually convinced him that the republic was + the only form of government under which men + of his tastes and temperament were apt to flourish. + It was, like everything that pertained to + him, a cheerful, genial conviction, without the + slightest tinge of bitterness. The old institutions + were obsolete, rotten to the core, he said, + and needed a radical renovation. He could sit + for hours of an evening in the Students' Union, + and discourse over a glass of mild toddy, on the + benefits of universal suffrage and trial by jury, + while the picturesqueness of his language, his + genial sarcasms, or occasional witty allusions + would call forth uproarious applause from + throngs of admiring freshmen. These were the + sunny days in Halfdan's career, days long to be + remembered. They came to an abrupt end + when old Mrs. Bjerk died, leaving nothing + behind her but her furniture and some trifling + debts. The son, who was not an eminently + practical man, underwent long hours of misery + in trying to settle up her affairs, and finally in + a moment of extreme dejection sold his entire + inheritance in a lump to a pawnbroker (reserving + for himself a few rings and trinkets) for the + modest sum of 250 dollars specie. He then + took formal leave of the Students' Union in a + brilliant speech, in which he traced the parallelisms + between the lives of Pericles and Washington,-- + in his opinion the two greatest men + the world had ever seen,--expounded his theory + of democratic government, and explained the + causes of the rapid rise of the American Republic. + The next morning he exchanged half of + his worldly possessions for a ticket to New + York, and within a few days set sail for the + land of promise, in the far West.</p> +<p></p> +<p>II.</p> +<p> + From Castle Garden, Halfdan made his way + up through Greenwich street, pursued by a + clamorous troop of confidence men and hotel + runners.</p> +<p>"Kommen Sie mit mir. Ich bin auch + Deutsch," cried one. "Voila, voila, je parle + Francais," shouted another, seizing hold of his + valise. "Jeg er Dansk. Tale Dansk,"[1] roared + a third, with an accent which seriously impeached + his truthfulness. In order to escape + from these importunate rascals, who were every + moment getting bolder, he threw himself into + the first street-car which happened to pass; he + sat down, gazed out of the windows and soon + became so thoroughly absorbed in the animated + scenes which moved as in a panorama before his + eyes, that he quite forgot where he was going. + The conductor called for fares, and received an + English shilling, which, after some ineffectual + expostulation, he pocketed, but gave no change. + At last after about an hour's journey, the car + stopped, the conductor called out "Central + Park," and Halfdan woke up with a start. He + dismounted with a timid, deliberate step, stared + in dim bewilderment at the long rows of palatial + residences, and a chill sense of loneliness + crept over him. The hopeless strangeness of + everything he saw, instead of filling him with + rapture as he had once anticipated, Sent a cold + shiver to his heart. It is a very large affair, + this world of ours--a good deal larger than it + appeared to him gazing out upon it from his + snug little corner up under the Pole; and it was + as unsympathetic as it was large; he suddenly + felt what he had never been aware of before-- + that he was a very small part of it and of very + little account after all. He staggered over to a + bench at the entrance to the park, and sat long + watching the fine carriages as they dashed past + him; he saw the handsome women in brilliant + costumes laughing and chatting gayly; the + apathetic policemen promenading in stoic dignity + up and down upon the smooth pavements; the + jauntily attired nurses, whom in his Norse + innocence he took for mothers or aunts of the chil- + dren, wheeling baby-carriages which to Norse + eyes seemed miracles of dainty ingenuity, under + the shady crowns of the elm-trees. He did not + know how long he had been sitting there, when + a little bright-eyed girl with light kid gloves, a + small blue parasol and a blue polonaise, quite a + lady of fashion en miniature, stopped in front + of him and stared at him in shy wonder. He + had always been fond of children, and often rejoiced + in their affectionate ways and confidential + prattle, and now it suddenly touched him + with a warm sense of human fellowship to have + this little daintily befrilled and crisply starched + beauty single him out for notice among the + hundreds who reclined in the arbors, or sauntered + to and fro under the great trees.</p> +<p> + [1] "I am a Dane. I speak Danish."</p> +<p></p> +<p>"What is your name, my little girl?" he + asked, in a tone of friendly interest.</p> +<p>"Clara," answered the child, hesitatingly; + then, having by another look assured herself of + his harmlessness, she added: "How very funny + you speak!"</p> +<p>"Yes," he said, stooping down to take he + tiny begloved hand. "I do not speak as well + as you do, yet; but I shall soon learn."</p> +<p>Clara looked puzzled.</p> +<p>"How old are you?" she asked, raising her + parasol, and throwing back her head with an + air of superiority.</p> +<p>"I am twenty-four years old."</p> +<p>She began to count half aloud on her fingers: + "One, two, three, four," but, before she reached + twenty, she lost her patience.</p> +<p>"Twenty-four," she exclaimed, "that is a + great deal. I am only seven, and papa gave me + a pony on my birthday. Have you got a pony?"</p> +<p>"No; I have nothing but what is in this valise, + and you know I could not very well get a pony into it."</p> +<p>Clara glanced curiously at the valise and + laughed; then suddenly she grew serious again, + put her hand into her pocket and seemed to be + searching eagerly for something. Presently + she hauled out a small porcelain doll's head, + then a red-painted block with letters on it, + and at last a penny.</p> +<p>"Do you want them?" she said, reaching him + her treasures in both hands. "You may have + them all."</p> +<p>Before he had time to answer, a shrill, + penetrating voice cried out:</p> +<p>"Why, gracious! child, what are you doing ? "</p> +<p>And the nurse, who had been deeply absorbed + in "The New York Ledger," came rushing up, + snatched the child away, and retreated as hastily + as she had come.</p> +<p>Halfdan rose and wandered for hours aimlessly along the intertwining roads + and footpaths. He visited the menageries, admired the statues, took a very light + dinner, consisting of coffee, sandwiches, and ice, at the Chinese Pavilion, + and, toward evening, discovered an inviting leafy arbor, where he could withdraw + into the privacy of his own thoughts, and ponder upon the still unsolved problem + of his destiny. The little incident with the child had taken the edge off his + unhappiness and turned him into a more conciliatory mood toward himself and + the great pitiless world, which seemed to take so little notice of him. And + he, who had come here with so warm a heart and so ardent a will to join in the + great work of human advancement--to find himself thus harshly ignored and buffeted + about, as if he were a hostile intruder! Before him lay the huge unknown city + where human life pulsated with large, full heart-throbs, where a breathless, + weird intensity, a cold, fierce passion seemed to be hurrying everything onward + in a maddening whirl, where a gentle, warm- blooded enthusiast like himself + had no place and could expect naught but a speedy destruction. A strange, unconquerable + dread took possession of him, as if he had been caught in a swift, strong whirlpool, + from which he vainly struggled to escape. He crouched down among the foliage + and shuddered. He could not return to the city. No, no: he never would return. + He would remain here hidden and unseen until morning, and then he would seek + a vessel bound for his dear native land, where the great mountains loomed up + in serene majesty toward the blue sky, where the pine-forests whispered their + dreamily sympathetic legends, in the long summer twilights, where human existence + flowed on in calm beauty with the modest aims, small virtues, and small vices + which were the happiness of modest, idyllic souls. He even saw himself in spirit + recounting to his astonished countrymen the wonderful things he had heard and + seen during his foreign pilgrimage, and smiled to himself as he imagined their + wonder when he should tell them about the beautiful little girl who had been + the first and only one to offer him a friendly greeting in the strange land. + During these reflections he fell asleep, and slept soundly for two or three + hours. Once, he seemed to hear footsteps and whispers among the trees, and made + an effort to rouse himself, but weariness again overmastered him and he slept + on. At last, he felt himself seized violently by the shoulders, and a gruff + voice shouted in his ear: </p> +<p>"Get up, you sleepy dog."</p> +<p>He rubbed his eyes, and, by the dim light of + the moon, saw a Herculean policeman lifting a + stout stick over his head. His former terror + came upon him with increased violence, and his + heart stood for a moment still, then, again, + hammered away as if it would burst his sides.</p> +<p>"Come along!" roared the policeman, shaking + him vehemently by the collar of his coat.</p> +<p>In his bewilderment he quite forgot where he + was, and, in hurried Norse sentences, assured + his persecutor that he was a harmless, honest + traveler, and implored him to release him. But + the official Hercules was inexorable.</p> +<p>"My valise, my valise;" cried Halfdan. + "Pray let me get my valise."</p> +<p>They returned to the place where he had + slept, but the valise was nowhere to be found. + Then, with dumb despair he resigned himself to + his fate, and after a brief ride on a street-car, + found himself standing in a large, low-ceiled + room; he covered his face with his hands and + burst into tears.</p> +<p>"The grand-the happy republic," he + murmured, "spontaneous blossoming of the soul. + Alas! I have rooted up my life; I fear it will + never blossom."</p> +<p>All the high-flown adjectives he had employed + in his parting speech in the Students' Union, + when he paid his enthusiastic tribute to the + Grand Republic, now kept recurring to him, and + in this moment the paradox seemed cruel. The + Grand Republic, what did it care for such as + he? A pair of brawny arms fit to wield the + pick-axe and to steer the plow it received with + an eager welcome; for a child-like, loving heart + and a generously fantastic brain, it had but the + stern greeting of the law.</p> +<p></p> +<p>III.</p> +<p> + The next morning, Halfdan was released + from the Police Station, having first been fined + five dollars for vagrancy. All his money, with + the exception of a few pounds which he had + exchanged in Liverpool, he had lost with his + valise, and he had to his knowledge not a single + acquaintance in the city or on the whole + continent. In order to increase his capital he + bought some fifty "Tribunes," but, as it was + already late in the day, he hardly succeeded in + selling a single copy. The next morning, he + once more stationed himself on the corner of + Murray street and Broadway, hoping in his + innocence to dispose of the papers he had still + on hand from the previous day, and actually + did find a few customers among the people who + were jumping in and out of the omnibuses that + passed up and down the great thoroughfare. + To his surprise, however, one of these gentlemen + returned to him with a very wrathful + countenance, shook his fist at him, and vociferated + with excited gestures something which to + Halfdan's ears had a very unintelligible sound. + He made a vain effort to defend himself; the + situation appeared so utterly incomprehensible + to him, and in his dumb helplessness he looked + pitiful enough to move the heart of a stone. + No English phrase suggested itself to him, only + a few Norse interjections rose to his lips. The + man's anger suddenly abated; he picked up the + paper which he had thrown on the sidewalk, + and stood for a while regarding Halfdan curiously.</p> +<p>"Are you a Norwegian?" he asked.</p> +<p>"Yes, I came from Norway yesterday."</p> +<p>"What's your name?"</p> +<p>"Halfdan Bjerk."</p> +<p>"Halfdan Bjerk! My stars! Who would + have thought of meeting you here! You do not + recognize me, I suppose."</p> +<p>Halfdan declared with a timid tremor in his + voice that he could not at the moment recall + his features.</p> +<p>"No, I imagine I must have changed a good + deal since you saw me," said the man, suddenly + dropping into Norwegian. "I am Gustav Olson, + I used to live in the same house with you once, + but that is long ago now."</p> +<p>Gustav Olson--to be sure, he was the porter's + son in the house, where his mother had once + during his childhood, taken a flat. He well + remembered having clandestinely traded jack- + knives and buttons with him, in spite of the + frequent warnings he had received to have nothing + to do with him; for Gustav, with his broad + freckled face and red hair, was looked upon by + the genteel inhabitants of the upper flats as + rather a disreputable character. He had once + whipped the son of a colonel who had been + impudent to him, and thrown a snow-ball at the + head of a new-fledged lieutenant, which offenses + he had duly expiated at a house of correction. + Since that time he had vanished from Halfdan's + horizon. He had still the same broad freckled + face, now covered with a lusty growth of coarse + red beard, the same rebellious head of hair, + which refused to yield to the subduing influences + of the comb, the same plebeian hands and feet, + and uncouth clumsiness of form. But his linen + was irreproachable, and a certain dash in his + manner, and the loud fashionableness of his + attire, gave unmistakable evidences of prosperity.</p> +<p>"Come, Bjerk," said he in a tone of good- + fellowship, which was not without its sting to the + idealistic republican, "you must take up a better + business than selling yesterday's `Tribune.' + That won't pay here, you know. Come along + to our office and I will see if something can't be + done for you."</p> +<p>"But I should be sorry to give you trouble," + stammered Halfdan, whose native pride, even + in his present wretchedness, protested against + accepting a favor from one whom he had been + wont to regard as his inferior.</p> +<p>"Nonsense, my boy. Hurry up, I haven't + much time to spare. The office is only two + blocks from here. You don't look as if you + could afford to throw away a friendly offer."</p> +<p>The last words suddenly roused Halfdan from + his apathy; for he felt that they were true. A + drowning man cannot afford to make nice + distinctions--cannot afford to ask whether the + helping hand that is extended to him be that of + an equal or an inferior. So he swallowed his + humiliation and threaded his way through the + bewildering turmoil of Broadway, by the side + of his officious friend.</p> +<p>They entered a large, elegantly furnished + office, where clerks with sleek and severely + apathetic countenances stood scribbling at their desks.</p> +<p>"You will have to amuse yourself as best you + can," said Olson. "Mr. Van Kirk will be here + in twenty minutes. I haven't time to entertain you."</p> +<p>A dreary half hour passed. Then the door opened and a tall, handsome man, with + a full grayish beard, and a commanding presence, entered and took his seat at + a desk in a smaller adjoining office. He opened, with great dispatch, a pile + of letters which lay on the desk before him, called out in a sharp, ringing + tone for a clerk, who promptly appeared, handed him half-a-dozen letters, accompanying + each with a brief direction, took some clean paper from a drawer and fell to + writing. There was something brisk, determined, and business-like in his manner, + which made it seem very hopeless to Halfdan to appear before him as a petitioner. + Presently Olson entered the private office, closing the door behind him, and + a few minutes later re-appeared and summoned Halfdan into the chief's presence.</p> +<p>"You are a Norwegian, I hear," said the + merchant, looking around over his shoulder at + the supplicant, with a preoccupied air. "You + want work. What can you do?"</p> +<p>What can you do? A fatal question. But + here was clearly no opportunity for mental + debate. So, summoning all his courage, but + feeling nevertheless very faint, he answered:</p> +<p>"I have passed both examen artium and + philosophicum,[2] and got my laud clear in the former, + but in the latter haud on the first point."</p> +<p> + [2] Examen artium is the entrance examination to the Norwegian + University, and philosophicum the first degree. The ranks given at + these are Laudabilis prae ceteris (in student's parlance, prae), + laudabilis or laud, haud illaudabilis, or haud, etc.</p> +<p></p> +<p>Mr. Van Kirk wheeled round on his chair and + faced the speaker:</p> +<p>"That is all Greek to me," he said, in a severe + tone. "Can you keep accounts?"</p> +<p>"No. I am afraid not."</p> +<p>Keeping accounts was not deemed a classical + accomplishment in Norway. It was only "trade- + rats" who troubled themselves about such gross + things, and if our Norseman had not been too + absorbed with the problem of his destiny, he + would have been justly indignant at having + such a question put to him.</p> +<p>"Then you don't know book-keeping?"</p> +<p>"I think not. I never tried it."</p> +<p>"Then you may be sure you don't know it. + But you must certainly have tried your hand at + something. Is there nothing you can think of + which might help you to get a living?"</p> +<p>"I can play the piano--and--and the violin."</p> +<p>"Very well, then. You may come this afternoon + to my house. Mr. Olson will tell you the + address. I will give you a note to Mrs. Van + Kirk. Perhaps she will engage you as a music + teacher for the children. Good morning."</p> +<p></p> +<p>IV.</p> +<p> + At half-past four o'clock in the afternoon, + Halfdan found himself standing in a large, dimly + lighted drawing-room, whose brilliant + upholstery, luxurious carpets, and fantastically + twisted furniture dazzled and bewildered his + senses. All was so strange, so strange; nowhere + a familiar object to give rest to the + wearied eye. Wherever he looked he saw his + shabbily attired figure repeated in the long + crystal mirrors, and he became uncomfortably + conscious of his threadbare coat, his uncouth + boots, and the general incongruity of his + appearance. With every moment his uneasiness + grew; and he was vaguely considering the + propriety of a precipitate flight, when the rustle of + a dress at the farther end of the room startled + him, and a small, plump lady, of a daintily + exquisite form, swept up toward him, gave a + slight inclination of her head, and sank down + into an easy-chair:</p> +<p>"You are Mr. ----, the Norwegian, who + wishes to give music lessons?" she said, holding + a pair of gold-framed eyeglasses up to her eyes, + and running over the note which she held in her + hand. It read as follows:</p> +<p> DEAR MARTHA,</p> +<p>--The bearer of this note is a young Norwegian, I forgot to ascertain his name, + a friend of Olson's. He wishes to teach music. If you can help the poor devil + and give him something to do, you will oblige, </p> +<p>Yours, H. V. K.</p> +<p> + Mrs. Van Kirk was evidently, by at least + twelve years, her husband's junior, and apparently + not very far advanced in the forties. Her + blonde hair, which was freshly crimped, fell + lightly over her smooth, narrow forehead; her + nose, mouth and chin had a neat distinctness of + outline; her complexion was either naturally or + artificially perfect, and her eyes, which were of + the purest blue, had, owing to their near-sightedness, + a certain pinched and scrutinizing look. + This look, which was without the slightest touch + of severity, indicating merely a lively degree of + interest, was further emphasized by three small + perpendicular wrinkles, which deepened and + again relaxed according to the varying intensity + of observation she bestowed upon the object + which for the time engaged her attention.</p> +<p>"Your name, if you please?" said Mrs. Van + Kirk, having for awhile measured her visitor + with a glance of mild scrutiny.</p> +<p>"Halfdan Bjerk."</p> +<p>"Half-dan B----, how do you spell that?"</p> +<p>"B-j-e-r-k."</p> +<p>"B-jerk. Well, but I mean, what is your + name in English?"</p> +<p>Halfdan looked blank, and blushed to his + ears.</p> +<p>"I wish to know," continued the lady + energetically, evidently anxious to help him out, + "what your name would mean in plain English. + Bjerk, it certainly must mean something."</p> +<p>"Bjerk is a tree--a birch-tree."</p> +<p>"Very well, Birch,--that is a very respectable + name. And your first name? What did + you say that was?</p> +<p>"H-a-l-f-d-a-n."</p> +<p>"Half Dan. Why not a whole Dan and be + done with it? Dan Birch, or rather Daniel + Birch. Indeed, that sounds quite Christian."</p> +<p>"As you please, madam," faltered the victim,; + looking very unhappy.</p> +<p>"You will pardon my straightforwardness, + won't you? B-jerk. I could never pronounce + that, you know."</p> +<p>"Whatever may be agreeable to you, madam, + will be sure to please me."</p> +<p>"That is very well said. And you will find that it always pays to try + to please me. And you wish to teach music? If you have no objection I will call + my oldest daughter. She is an excellent judge of music, and if your playing + meets with her approval, I will engage you, as my husband suggests, not to teach + Edith, you understand, but my youngest child, Clara." </p> +<p>Halfdan bowed assent, and Mrs. Van Kirk + rustled out into the hall where she rang a bell, + and re-entered. A servant in dress-coat + appeared, and again vanished as noiselessly as he + had come. To our Norseman there was some + thing weird and uncanny about these silent + entrances and exits; he could hardly suppress a + shudder. He had been accustomed to hear the + clatter of people's heels upon the bare floors, as + they approached, and the audible crescendo of + their footsteps gave one warning, and prevented + one from being taken by surprise. While + absorbed in these reflections, his senses must + have been dormant; for just then Miss Edith + Van Kirk entered, unheralded by anything but + a hovering perfume, the effect of which was to + lull him still deeper into his wondering abstraction.</p> +<p>"Mr. Birch," said Mrs. Van Kirk, "this is + my daughter Miss Edith," and as Halfdan + sprang to his feet and bowed with visible + embarrassment, she continued:</p> +<p>"Edith, this is Mr. Daniel Birch, whom your + father has sent here to know if he would be + serviceable as a music teacher for Clara. And + now, dear, you will have to decide about the + merits of Mr. Birch. I don't know enough + about music to be anything of a judge."</p> +<p>"If Mr. Birch will be kind enough to play," + said Miss Edith with a languidly musical + intonation," I shall be happy to listen to him."</p> +<p>Halfdan silently signified his willingness and + followed the ladies to a smaller apartment which + was separated from the drawing-room by folding + doors. The apparition of the beautiful + young girl who was walking at his side had + suddenly filled him with a strange burning and + shuddering happiness; he could not tear his + eyes away from her; she held him as by a powerful + spell. And still, all the while he had a + painful sub-consciousness of his own unfortunate + appearance, which was thrown into cruel relief + by her splendor. The tall, lithe magnificence of + her form, the airy elegance of her toilet, which + seemed the perfection of self-concealing art, the + elastic deliberateness of her step--all wrought + like a gentle, deliciously soothing opiate upon + the Norseman's fancy and lifted him into hitherto + unknown regions of mingled misery and + bliss. She seemed a combination of the most + divine contradictions, one moment supremely + conscious, and in the next adorably child-like + and simple, now full of arts and coquettish + innuendoes, then again na<i:>ve, unthinking and + almost boyishly blunt and direct; in a word, + one of those miraculous New York girls whom + abstractly one may disapprove of, but in the + concrete must abjectly adore. This easy + predominance of the masculine heart over the mas- + culine reason in the presence of an impressive + woman, has been the motif of a thousand tragedies + in times past, and will inspire a thousand + more in times to come.</p> +<p>Halfdan sat down at the grand piano and + played Chopin's Nocturne in G major, flinging + out that elaborate filigree of sound with an + impetuosity and superb ABANDON which caused the + ladies to exchange astonished glances behind his + back. The transitions from the light and ethereal + texture of melody to the simple, more concrete + theme, which he rendered with delicate + shadings of articulation, were sufficiently + startling to impress even a less cultivated ear than + that of Edith Van Kirk, who had, indeed, + exhausted whatever musical resources New York + has to offer. And she was most profoundly + impressed. As he glided over the last pianissimo + notes toward the two concluding chords (an ending + so characteristic of Chopin) she rose and hurried + to his side with a heedless eagerness, which was + more eloquent than emphatic words of praise.</p> +<p>"Won't you please repeat this passage?" she + said, humming the air with soft modulations; + "I have always regarded the monotonous repetition + of this strain" (and she indicated it lightly + by a few touches of the keys) "as rather a + blemish of an otherwise perfect composition. + But as you play it, it is anything but monotonous. + You put into this single phrase a more intense + meaning and a greater variety of thought than + I ever suspected it was capable of expressing."</p> +<p>"It is my favorite composition," answered he, + modestly. "I have bestowed more thought + upon it than upon anything I have ever played, + unless perhaps it be the one in G minor, which, + with all its difference of mood and phraseology, + expresses an essentially kindred thought."</p> +<p>"My dear Mr. Birch," exclaimed Mrs. Van + Kirk, whom his skillful employment of technical + terms (in spite of his indifferent accent) had + impressed even more than his rendering of the + music,--"you are a comsummate{sic} artist, and + we shall deem it a great privilege if you will + undertake to instruct our child. I have listened + to you with profound satisfaction."</p> +<p>Halfdan acknowledged the compliment by a + bow and a blush, and repeated the latter part of + the nocturne according to Edith's request.</p> +<p>"And now," resumed Edith, "may I trouble + you to play the G minor, which has even puzzled + me more than the one you have just played."</p> +<p>"It ought really to have been played first," + replied Halfdan. "It is far intenser in its coloring + and has a more passionate ring, but its conclusion + does not seem to be final. There is no + rest in it, and it seems oddly enough to be a + mere transition into the major, which is its + proper supplement and completes the fragmentary + thought."</p> +<p>Mother and daughter once more telegraphed + wondering looks at each other, while Halfdan + plunged into the impetuous movements of the + minor nocturne, which he played to the end with + ever-increasing fervor and animation.</p> +<p>"Mr. Birch," said Edith, as he arose from the + piano with a flushed face, and the agitation of + the music still tingling through his nerves. + "You are a far greater musician than you seem + to be aware of. I have not been taking lessons + for some time, but you have aroused all my musical + ambition, and if you will accept me too, as + a pupil, I shall deem it a favor."</p> +<p>"I hardly know if I can teach you anything," + answered he, while his eyes dwelt with keen + delight on her beautiful form. "But in my present + position I can hardly afford to decline so + flattering an offer."</p> +<p>"You mean to say that you would decline it if you + were in a position to do so," said she, smiling.</p> +<p>"No, only that I should question my convenience + more closely."</p> +<p>"Ah, never mind. I take all the responsibility. + I shall cheerfully consent to being imposed upon by you."</p> +<p>Mrs. Van Kirk in the mean while had been + examining the contents of a fragrant Russia-leather + pocket-book, and she now drew out two crisp + ten-dollar notes, and held them out toward him.</p> +<p>"I prefer to make sure of you by paying you + in advance," said she, with a cheerfully familiar + nod, and a critical glance at his attire, the meaning + of which he did not fail to detect. "Somebody + else might make the same discovery that + we have made to-day, and outbid us. And we + do not want to be cheated out of our good fortune + in having been the first to secure so valuable a prize."</p> +<p>"You need have no fear on that score, + madam," retorted Halfdan, with a vivid blush, + and purposely misinterpreting the polite subterfuge. + "You may rely upon my promise. I shall be here again, + as soon as you wish me to return."</p> +<p>"Then, if you please, we shall look for you + to-morrow morning at ten o'clock."</p> +<p>And Mrs. Van Kirk hesitatingly folded up + her notes and replaced them in her pocket-book.</p> +<p>To our idealist there was something extremely + odious in this sudden offer of money. It was + the first time any one had offered to pay him, + and it seemed to put him on a level with a common + day-laborer. His first impulse was to resent + it as a gratuitous humiliation, but a glance + at Mrs. Van Kirk's countenance, which was all + aglow with officious benevolence, re-assured him, + and his indignation died away.</p> +<p>That same afternoon Olson, having been + informed of his friend's good fortune, volunteered + a loan of a hundred dollars, and accompanied + him to a fashionable tailor, where he underwent + a pleasing metamorphosis.</p> +<p></p> +<p>V.</p> +<p> In Norway the ladies dress with the innocent purpose of protecting themselves + against the weather; if this purpose is still remotely present in the toilets + of American women of to-day, it is, at all events, sufficiently disguised to + challenge detection, very much like a primitive Sanscrit root in its French + and English derivatives. This was the reflection which was uppermost in Halfdan's + mind as Edith, ravishing to behold in the airy grace of her fragrant morning + toilet, at the appointed time took her seat at his side before the piano. Her + presence seemed so intense, so all-absorbing, that it left no thought for the + music. A woman, with all the spiritual mysteries which that name implies, had + always appeared to him rather a composite phenomenon, even apart from those + varied accessories of dress, in which as by an inevitable analogy, she sees + fit to express the inner multiformity of her being. Nevertheless, this former + conception of his, when compared to that wonderful complexity of ethereal lines, + colors, tints and half- tints which go to make up the modern New York girl, + seemed inexpressibly simple, almost what plain arithmetic must appear to a man + who has mastered calculus.</p> +<p>Edith had opened one of those small red- + covered volumes of Chopin where the rich, + wondrous melodies lie peacefully folded up like + strange exotic flowers in an herbarium. She began + to play the fantasia impromtu, which ought + to be dashed off at a single "heat," whose + passionate impulse hurries it on breathlessly toward + its abrupt finale. But Edith toiled considerably + with her fingering, and blurred the keen + edges of each swift phrase by her indistinct ar- + ticulation. And still there was a sufficiently + ardent intention in her play to save it from being + a failure. She made a gesture of disgust + when she had finished, shut the book, and let + her hands drop crosswise in her lap.</p> +<p>"I only wanted to give you a proof of my incapacity," + she said, turning her large luminous gaze + upon her instructor, "in order to make + you duly appreciate what you have undertaken. + Now, tell me truly and honestly, + are you not discouraged?"</p> +<p>"Not by any means," replied he, while the + rapture of her presence rippled through his + nerves, "you have fire enough in you to make + an admirable musician. But your fingers, as + yet, refuse to carry out your fine intentions. + They only need discipline."</p> +<p>"And do you suppose you can discipline + them? They are a fearfully obstinate set, and + cause me infinite mortification."</p> +<p>"Would you allow me to look at your hand?"</p> +<p>She raised her right hand, and with a sort of + impulsive heedlessness let it drop into his. An + exclamation of surprise escaped him.</p> +<p>`{`}If you will pardon me," he said, "it is a + superb hand--a hand capable of performing mira- + cles--musical miracles I mean. Only look here" + --(and he drew the fore and second fingers apart) + --"so firmly set in the joint and still so flexible. + I doubt if Liszt himself can boast a finer row + of fingers. Your hands will surely not prevent + you from becoming a second Von Bulow, which to + my mind means a good deal more than a second Liszt."</p> +<p>"Thank you, that is quite enough," she + exclaimed, with an incredulous laugh; "you have + done bravely. That at all events throws the + whole burden of responsibility upon myself, if + I do not become a second somebody. I shall be + perfectly satisfied, however, if you can only + make me as good a musician as you are yourself, + so that I can render a not too difficult piece + without feeling all the while that I am committing + sacrilege in mutilating the fine thoughts + of some great composer."</p> +<p>"You are too modest; you do not--"</p> +<p>"No, no, I am not modest," she interrupted + him with an impetuosity which startled him. + "I beg of you not to persist in paying me + compliments. I get too much of that cheap article + elsewhere. I hate to be told that I am better + than I know I am. If you are to do me any + good by your instruction, you must be perfectly + sincere toward me, and tell me plainly of my + short-comings. I promise you beforehand that + I shall never be offended. There is my hand. + Now, is it a bargain?"</p> +<p>His fingers closed involuntarily over the soft + beautiful hand, and once more the luxury of her + touch sent a thrill of delight through him.</p> +<p>"I have not been insincere," he murmured, + "but I shall be on my guard in future, even + against the appearance of insincerity."</p> +<p>"And when I play detestably, you will say so, + and not smooth it over with unmeaning flatteries?"</p> +<p>"I will try."</p> +<p>"Very well, then we shall get on well + together. Do not imagine that this is a mere + feminine whim of mine. I never was more in + earnest. Men, and I believe foreigners, to a + greater degree than Americans, have the idea + that women must be treated with gentle forbearance; + that their follies, if they are foolish, + must be glossed over with some polite name. + They exert themselves to the utmost to make + us mere playthings, and, as such, contemptible + both in our own eyes and in theirs. No sincere + respect can exist where the truth has to be + avoided. But the majority of American women + are made of too stern a stuff to be dealt with in + that way. They feel the lurking insincerity + even where politeness forbids them to show it, + and it makes them disgusted both with themselves, + and with the flatterer. And now you + must pardon me for having spoken so plainly + to you on so short an acquaintance; but you + are a foreigner, and it may be an act of friendship + to initiate you as soon as possible into our + ways and customs."</p> +<p>He hardly knew what to answer. Her + vehemence was so sudden, and the sentiments she + had uttered so different from those which he + had habitually ascribed to women, that he could + only sit and gaze at her in mute astonishment. + He could not but admit that in the main she + had judged him rightly, and that his own attitude + and that of other men toward her sex, + were based upon an implied assumption of superiority.</p> +<p>"I am afraid I have shocked you," she + resumed, noticing the startled expression of his + countenance. "But really it was quite inevitable, + if we were at all to understand each other. + You will forgive me, won't you?"</p> +<p>"Forgive!" stammered he, "I have nothing + to forgive. It was only your merciless truth- + fulness which startled me. I rather owe you + thanks, if you will allow me to be grateful to + you. It seems an enviable privilege."</p> +<p>"Now," interrupted Edith, raising her + forefinger in playful threat, "remember your + promise."</p> +<p>The lesson was now continued without further + interruption. When it was finished, a little girl, + with her hair done up in curl-papers, and a very + stiffly starched dress, which stood out on all sides + almost horizontally, entered, accompanied by + Mrs. Van Kirk. Halfdan immediately recognized + his acquaintance from the park, and it appeared + to him a good omen that this child, whose friendly + interest in him had warmed his heart in a moment + when his fortunes seemed so desperate, + should continue to be associated with his life + on this new continent. Clara was evidently + greatly impressed by the change in his appearance, + and could with difficulty be restrained + from commenting upon it.</p> +<p>She proved a very apt scholar in music, and + enjoyed the lessons the more for her cordial + liking of her teacher.</p> +<p>It will be necessary henceforth to omit the + less significant details in the career of our friend + "Mr. Birch." Before a month was past, he had + firmly established himself in the favor of the + different members of the Van Kirk family. + Mrs. Van Kirk spoke of him to her lady visitors + as "a perfect jewel," frequently leaving them + in doubt as to whether he was a cook or a + coachman. Edith apostrophized him to her + fashionable friends as "a real genius," leaving + a dim impression upon their minds of flowing + locks, a shiny velvet jacket, slouched hat, + defiant neck-tie and a general air of disreputable + pretentiousness. Geniuses of the foreign type + were never, in the estimation of fashionable + New York society, what you would call "exactly + nice," and against prejudices of this order + no amount of argument will ever prevail. Clara, + who had by this time discovered that her teacher + possessed an inexhaustible fund of fairy stories, + assured her playmates across the street that he + was "just splendid," and frequently invited + them over to listen to his wonderful tales. Mr. + Van Kirk himself, of course, was non-committal, + but paid the bills unmurmuringly.</p> +<p>Halfdan in the meanwhile was vainly struggling + against his growing passion for Edith; + but the more he rebelled the more hopelessly + he found himself entangled in its inextricable + net. The fly, as long as it keeps quiet in the + spider's web, may for a moment forget its + situation; but the least effort to escape is apt to + frustrate itself and again reveal the imminent + peril. Thus he too "kicked against the pricks," + hoped, feared, rebelled against his destiny, and + again, from sheer weariness, relapsed into a + dull, benumbed apathy. In spite of her friendly + sympathy, he never felt so keenly his alienism + as in her presence. She accepted the spontaneous + homage he paid her, sometimes with impatience, + as something that was really beneath + her notice; at other times she frankly + recognized it, bantered him with his "Old World + chivalry," which would soon evaporate in the + practical American atmosphere, and called him + her Viking, her knight and her faithful squire. + But it never occurred to her to regard his + devotion in a serious light, and to look upon him + as a possible lover had evidently never entered + her head. As their intercourse grew more + intimate, he had volunteered to read his favorite + poets with her, and had gradually succeeded in + imparting to her something of his own passionate + liking for Heine and Bj<o:>rnson. She had in + return called his attention to the works of + American authors who had hitherto been little + more than names to him, and they had thus + managed to be of mutual benefit to each other, + and to spend many a pleasant hour during the + long winter afternoons in each other's company. + But Edith had a very keen sense of humor, and + could hardly restrain her secret amusement when + she heard him reading Longfellow's "Psalm of + Life" and Poe's "Raven" (which had been + familiar to her from her babyhood), often with + false accent, but always with intense enthusiasm. + The reflection that he had had no part of his + life in common with her,--that he did not love + the things which she loved,--could not share + her prejudices (and women have a feeling akin + to contempt for a man who does not respond to + their prejudices)--removed him at times almost + beyond the reach of her sympathy. It was + interesting enough as long as the experience + was novel, to be thus unconsciously exploring + another person's mind and finding so many + strange objects there; but after a while the + thing began to assume an uncomfortably serious + aspect, and then there seemed to be something + almost terrible about it. At such times a call + from a gentleman of her own nation, even + though he were one of the placidly stupid type, + would be a positive relief; she could abandon + herself to the secure sense of being at home; + she need fear no surprises, and in the smooth + shallows of their talk there were no unsuspected + depths to excite and to baffle her ingenuity. + And, again, reverting in her thought to Halfdan, + his conversational brilliancy would almost + repel her, as something odious and un-American, + the cheap result of outlandish birth and + unrepublican education. Not that she had ever + valued republicanism very highly; she was one + of those who associated politics with noisy + vulgarity in speech and dress, and therefore + thanked fortune that women were permitted to + keep aloof from it. But in the presence of this + alien she found herself growing patriotic; that + much-discussed abstraction, which we call our + country (and which is nothing but the aggregate + of all the slow and invisible influences + which go toward making up our own being), + became by degrees a very palpable and + intelligible fact to her.</p> +<p>Frequently while her American self was thus + loudly asserting itself, Edith inflicted many a + cruel wound upon her foreign adorer. Once,-- + it was the Fourth of July, more than a year after + Halfdan's arrival, a number of young ladies and + gentlemen, after having listened to a patriotic + oration, were invited in to an informal luncheon. + While waiting, they naturally enough spent their + time in singing national songs, and Halfdan's + clear tenor did good service in keeping the + straggling voices together. When they had + finished, Edith went up to him and was quite + effusive in her expressions of gratitude.</p> +<p>"I am sure we ought all to be very grateful + to you, Mr. Birch," she said, "and I, for my + part, can assure you that I am."</p> +<p>"Grateful? Why?" demanded Halfdan, + looking quite unhappy.</p> +<p>"For singing OUR national songs, of course. + Now, won't you sing one of your own, please? + We should all be so delighted to hear how a + Swedish--or Norwegian, is it?--national song + sounds."</p> +<p>"Yes, Mr. Birch, DO sing a Swedish song," + echoed several voices.</p> +<p>They, of course, did not even remotely suspect + their own cruelty. He had, in his enthusiasm + for the day allowed himself to forget that + he was not made of the same clay as they were, + that he was an exile and a stranger, and must + ever remain so, that he had no right to share + their joy in the blessing of liberty. Edith had + taken pains to dispel the happy illusion, and had + sent him once more whirling toward his cold + native Pole. His passion came near choking + him, and, to conceal his impetuous emotion, he + flung himself down on the piano-stool, and struck + some introductory chords with perhaps a little + superfluous emphasis. Suddenly his voice burst + out into the Swedish national anthem, "Our + Land, our Land, our Fatherland," and the air + shook and palpitated with strong martial melody. + His indignation, his love and his misery, + imparted strength to his voice, and its occasional + tremble in the PIANO passages was something + more than an artistic intention. He was loudly + applauded as he arose, and the young ladies + thronged about him to ask if he "wouldn't + please write out the music for them."</p> +<p>Thus month after month passed by, and every + day brought its own misery. Mrs. Van Kirk's + patronizing manners, and ostentatious kindness, + often tested his patience to the utmost. If he + was guilty of an innocent witticism or a little + quaintness of expression, she always assumed it + to be a mistake of terms and corrected him + with an air of benign superiority. At times, of + course, her corrections were legitimate, as for + instance, when he spoke of WEARING a cane, + instead of CARRYING one, but in nine cases out of + ten the fault lay in her own lack of imagination + and not in his ignorance of English. On such + occasions Edith often took pity on him, + defended him against her mother's criticism, and + insisted that if this or that expression was not + in common vogue, that was no reason why it + should not be used, as it was perfectly + grammatical, and, moreover, in keeping with the + spirit of the language. And he, listening + passively in admiring silence to her argument, + thanked her even for the momentary pain + because it was followed by so great a happiness. + For it was so sweet to be defended by Edith, to + feel that he and she were standing together side + by side against the outer world. Could he only + show her in the old heroic manner how much he + loved her! Would only some one that was + dear to her die, so that he, in that breaking + down of social barriers which follows a great + calamity, might comfort her in her sorrow. + Would she then, perhaps, weeping, lean her + wonderful head upon his breast, feeling but that + he was a fellow-mortal, who had a heart that + was loyal and true, and forgetting, for one brief + instant, that he was a foreigner. Then, to + touch that delicate Elizabethan frill which + wound itself so daintily about Edith's neck-- + what inconceivable rapture! But it was quite + impossible. It could never be. These were + selfish thoughts, no doubt, but they were a lover's + selfishness, and, as such, bore a close kinship to + all that is purest and best in human nature.</p> +<p>It is one of the tragic facts of this life, that a + relation so unequal as that which existed between + Halfdan and Edith, is at all possible. As + for Edith, I must admit that she was well aware + that her teacher was in love with her. Women + have wonderfully keen senses for phenomena of + that kind, and it is an illusion if any one + imagines, as our Norseman did, that he has locked + his secret securely in the hidden chamber of his + heart. In fleeting intonations, unconscious + glances and attitudes, and through a hundred + other channels it will make its way out, and the + bereaved jailer may still clasp his key in fierce + triumph, never knowing that he has been + robbed. It was of course no fault of Edith's + that she had become possessed of Halfdan's + heart-secret. She regarded it as on the whole + rather an absurd affair, and prized it very + lightly. That a love so strong and yet so humble, + so destitute of hope and still so unchanging, + reverent and faithful, had something grand and + touching in it, had never occurred to her. It is + a truism to say that in our social code the value + of a man's character is determined by his position; + and fine traits in a foreigner (unless he + should happen to be something very great) + strike us rather as part of a supposed mental + alienism, and as such, naturally suspicious. It + is rather disgraceful than otherwise to have your + music teacher in love with you, and critical + friends will never quite banish the suspicion + that you have encouraged him.</p> +<p>Edith had, in her first delight at the discovery of Halfdan's talent, frankly + admitted him to a relation of apparent equality. He was a man of culture, had + the manners and bearing of a gentleman, and had none of those theatrical airs + which so often raise a sort of invisible wall between foreigners and Americans. + Her mother, who loved to play the patron, especially to young men, had invited + him to dinner-parties and introduced him to their friends, until almost every + one looked upon him as a protege of the family. He appeared so well in a parlor, + and had really such a distinguished presence, that it was a pleasure to look + at him. He was remarkably free from those obnoxious traits which generalizing + American travelers have led us to believe were inseparable from foreign birth; + his finger-nails were in no way conspicuous; he did not, as a French count, + a former adorer of Edith's, had done, indulge an unmasculine taste for diamond + rings (possibly because he had none); his politeness was unobtrusive and subdued, + and of his accent there was just enough left to give an agreeable color of individuality + to his speech. But, for all that, Edith could never quite rid herself of the + impression that he was intensely un-American. There was a certain idyllic quiescence + about him, a child-like directness and simplicity, and a total absence of "push," + which were startlingly at variance with the spirit of American life. An American + could never have been content to remain in an inferior position without trying, + in some way, to better his fortunes. But Halfdan could stand still and see, + without the faintest stirring of envy, his plebeian friend Olson, whose education + and talents could bear no comparison with his own, rise rapidly above him, and + apparently have no desire to emulate him. He could sit on a cricket in a corner, + with Clara on his lap, and two or three little girls nestling about him, and + tell them fairy stories by the hour, while his kindly face beamed with innocent + happiness. And if Clara, to coax him into continuing the entertainment, offered + to kiss him, his measure of joy was full. This fair child, with her affectionate + ways, and her confiding prattle, wound herself ever more closely about his homeless + heart, and he clung to her with a touching devotion. For she was the only one + who seemed to be unconscious of the difference of blood, who had not yet learned + that she was an American and he--a foreigner. </p> +<p> + VI.</p> +<p> + Three years had passed by and still the situation + was unchanged. Halfdan still taught music + and told fairy stories to the children. He had + a good many more pupils now than three years + ago, although he had made no effort to solicit + patronage, and had never tried to advertise his + talent by what he regarded as vulgar and + inartistic display. But Mrs. Van Kirk, who had by + this time discovered his disinclination to assert + himself, had been only the more active; had + "talked him up" among her aristocratic friends; + had given musical soirees, at which she had + coaxed him to play the principal role, and had + in various other ways exerted herself in his + behalf. It was getting to be quite fashionable to + admire his quiet, unostentatious style of playing, + which was so far removed from the noisy + bravado and clap-trap then commonly in vogue. + Even professional musicians began to indorse + him, and some, who had discovered that "there + was money in him," made him tempting offers + for a public engagement. But, with characteristic + modesty, he distrusted their verdict; his + sensitive nature shrank from anything which had + the appearance of self-assertion or display.</p> +<p>But Edith--ah, if it had not been for Edith + he might have found courage to enter at the + door of fortune, which was now opened ajar. + That fame, if he should gain it, would bring + him any nearer to her, was a thought that was + alien to so unworldly a temperament as his. + And any action that had no bearing upon his + relation to her, left him cold--seemed unworthy + of the effort. If she had asked him to play in + public; if she had required of him to go to the + North Pole, or to cut his own throat, I verily + believe he would have done it. And at last + Edith did ask him to play. She and Olson had + plotted together, and from the very friendliest + motives agreed to play into each other's hands.</p> +<p>"If you only WOULD consent to play," said she, + in her own persuasive way, one day as they had + finished their lesson, "we should all be so happy. + Only think how proud we should be of your + success, for you know there is nothing you + can't do in the way of music if you really want + to."</p> +<p>"Do you really think so?" exclaimed he, + while his eyes suddenly grew large and luminous.</p> +<p>"Indeed I do," said Edith, emphatically.</p> +<p>"And if--if I played well," faltered he, + "would it really please you?"</p> +<p>"Of course it would," cried Edith, laughing; + "how can you ask such a foolish question?"</p> +<p>"Because I hardly dared to believe it."</p> +<p>"Now listen to me," continued the girl, + leaning forward in her chair, and beaming all over + with kindly officiousness; "now for once you + must be rational and do just what I tell you. I + shall never like you again if you oppose me in + this, for I have set my heart upon it; you must + promise beforehand that you will be good and + not make any objection. Do you hear?"</p> +<p>When Edith assumed this tone toward him, + she might well have made him promise to perform + miracles. She was too intent upon her + benevolent scheme to heed the possible + inferences which he might draw from her sudden + display of interest.</p> +<p>"Then you promise?" repeated she, eagerly, + as he hesitated to answer.</p> +<p>"Yes, I promise."</p> +<p>"Now, you must not be surprised; but mamma + and I have made arrangements with Mr. + S---- that you are to appear under his auspices + at a concert which is to be given a week from + to-night. All our friends are going, and we + shall take up all the front seats, and I have + already told my gentlemen friends to scatter + through the audience, and if they care anything + for my favor, they will have to applaud vigorously."</p> +<p>Halfdan reddened up to his temples, and + began to twist his watch-chain nervously.</p> +<p>"You must have small confidence in my + ability," he murmured, "since you resort to + precautions like these."</p> +<p>"But my dear Mr. Birch," cried Edith, who + was quick to discover that she had made a + mistake, "it is not kind in you to mistrust me in + that way. If a New York audience were as + highly cultivated in music as you are, I admit + that my precautions would be superfluous. But + the papers, you know, will take their tone from + the audience, and therefore we must make use + of a little innocent artifice to make sure of it. + Everything depends upon the success of your + first public appearance, and if your friends can + in this way help you to establish the reputation + which is nothing but your right, I am sure you + ought not to bind their hands by your foolish + sensitiveness. You don't know the American + way of doing things as well as I do, therefore + you must stand by your promise, and leave + everything to me."</p> +<p>It was impossible not to believe that anything + Edith chose to do was above reproach. She + looked so bewitching in her excited eagerness + for his welfare that it would have been inhuman + to oppose her. So he meekly succumbed, and + began to discuss with her the programme for + the concert.</p> +<p>During the next week there was hardly a day + that he did not read some startling paragraph + in the newspapers about "the celebrated Scandinavian + pianist," whose appearance at S---- + Hall was looked forward to as the principal + event of the coming season. He inwardly + rebelled against the well-meant exaggerations; + but as he suspected that it was Edith's influence + which was in this way asserting itself in his behalf, + he set his conscience at rest and remained silent.</p> +<p>The evening of the concert came at last, and, + as the papers stated the next morning, "the + large hall was crowded to its utmost capacity + with a select and highly appreciative audience." + Edith must have played her part of the performance + skillfully, for as he walked out upon + the stage, he was welcomed with an enthusiastic + burst of applause, as if he had been a world- + renowned artist. At Edith's suggestion, her + two favorite nocturnes had been placed first + upon the programme; then followed one of + those ballads of Chopin, whose rhythmic din and + rush sweep onward, beleaguering the ear like + eager, melodious hosts, charging in thickening + ranks and columns, beating impetuous retreats, + and again uniting with one grand emotion the + wide-spreading army of sound for the final + victory. Besides these, there was one of Liszt's + "Rhapsodies Hongroises," an impromptu by + Schubert, and several orchestral pieces; but the + greater part of the programme was devoted + to Chopin, because Halfdan, with his great, + hopeless passion laboring in his breast, felt that + he could interpret Chopin better than he could + any other composer. He carried his audience + by storm. As he retired to the dressing-room, + after having finished the last piece, his friends, + among whom Edith and Mrs. Van Kirk were + the most conspicuous, thronged about him, + showering their praises and congratulations + upon him. They insisted with much friendly + urging upon taking him home in their carriage; + Clara kissed him, Mrs. Van Kirk introduced + him to her lady acquaintances as "our friend, + Mr. Birch," and Edith held his hand so long in + hers that he came near losing his presence of + mind and telling her then and there that he + loved her. As his eyes rested on her, they + became suddenly suffused with tears, and a vast + bewildering happiness vibrated through his + frame. At last he tore himself away and wandered + aimlessly through the long, lonely streets. + Why could he not tell Edith that he loved her? + Was there any disgrace in loving? This heavenly + passion which so suddenly had transfused + his being, and year by year deadened the + substance of his old self, creating in its stead + something new and wild and strange which he + never could know, but still held infinitely dear + --had it been sent to him merely as a scourge to + test his capacity for suffering?</p> +<p>Once, while he was a child, his mother had + told him that somewhere in this wide world + there lived a maiden whom God had created + for him, and for him alone, and when he should + see her, he should love her, and his life should + thenceforth be all for her. It had hardly + occurred to him, then, to question whether she + would love him in return, it had appeared so + very natural that she should. Now he had + found this maiden, and she had been very kind + to him; but her kindness had been little better + than cruelty, because he had demanded something + more than kindness. And still he had + never told her of his love. He must tell her even + this very night while the moon rode high in the + heavens and all the small differences between + human beings seemed lost in the vast starlit + stillness. He knew well that by the relentless + glare of the daylight his own insignificance + would be cruelly conspicuous in the presence of + her splendor; his scruples would revive, and his + courage fade.</p> +<p>The night was clear and still. A clock struck + eleven in some church tower near by. The Van + Kirk mansion rose tall and stately in the moonlight, + flinging a dense mass of shadow across + the street. Up in the third story he saw two + windows lighted; the curtains were drawn, but + the blinds were not closed. All the rest of the + house was dark. He raised his voice and sang + a Swedish serenade which seemed in perfect + concord with his own mood. His clear tenor + rose through the silence of the night, and a + feeble echo flung it back from the mansion + opposite:</p> +<p> [3] "Star, sweet star, that brightly beamest, + Glittering on the skies nocturnal, + Hide thine eye no more from me, + Hide thine eye no more from me!"</p> +<p> + [3] Free translation of a Swedish serenade, the name of whose author I + have forgotten. H. H. B.</p> +<p></p> +<p>The curtain was drawn aside, the window + cautiously raised, and the outline of Edith's + beautiful head appeared dark and distinct + against the light within. She instantly recognized him.</p> +<p>"You must go away, Mr. Birch," came her + voice in an anxious whisper out of the shadow. + "Pray go away. You will wake up the people."</p> +<p>Her words were audible enough, but they + failed to convey any meaning to his excited + mind. Once more his voice floated upward to + her opened window:</p> +<blockquote> + <p> "And I yearn to reach thy dwelling,<br>Yearn to rise from earth's fierce + turmoil;<br>Sweetest star upward to thee,<br>Yearn to rise, bright star to thee."</p> + </blockquote> +<p> + "Dear Mr. Birch," she whispered once more + in tones of distress. "Pray DO go away. Or + perhaps," she interrupted herself "--wait one + moment and I will come down."</p> +<p>Presently the front door was noiselessly + opened, and Edith's tall, lithe form, dressed in a + white flowing dress, and with her blonde hair + rolling loosely over her shoulders, appeared for + an instant, and then again vanished. With one + leap Halfdan sprang up the stairs and pushed + through the half-opened door. Edith closed + the door behind him, then with rapid steps led + the way to the back parlor where the moon broke + feebly through the bars of the closed shutters.</p> +<p>"Now Mr. Birch," she said, seating herself + upon a lounge, "you may explain to me what + this unaccountable behavior of yours means. + I should hardly think I had deserved to be + treated in this way by you."</p> +<p>Halfdan was utterly bewildered; a nervous + fit of trembling ran through him, and he + endeavored in vain to speak. He had been + prepared for passionate reproaches, but this calm + severity chilled him through, and he could only + gasp and tremble, but could utter no word in + his defense.</p> +<p>"I suppose you are aware," continued Edith, + in the same imperturbable manner, "that if I + had not interrupted you, the policeman would + have h*eard you, and you would have been + arrested for street disturbance. Then to-morrow + we should have seen it in all the newspapers, + and I should have been the laughing-stock of + the whole town."</p> +<p>No, surely he had never thought of it in + that light; the idea struck him as entirely new. + There was a long pause. A cock crowed with + a drowsy remoteness in some neighboring yard, + and the little clock on the mantel-piece ticked + on patiently in the moonlit dusk.</p> +<p>"If you have nothing to say," resumed Edith, + while the stern indifference in her voice + perceptibly relaxed, "then I will bid you good- + night."</p> +<p>She arose, and with a grand sweep of her + drapery, moved toward the door.</p> +<p>"Miss Edith," cried he, stretching his hands + despairingly after her, "you must not leave me."</p> +<p>She paused, tossed her hair back with her + hands, and gazed at him over her shoulder. He + threw himself on his knees, seized the hem of + her dress, and pressed it to his lips. It was a + gesture of such inexpressible humility that even + a stone would have relented.</p> +<p>"Do not be foolish, Mr. Birch," she said, try- + ing to pull her dress away from him. "Get up, + and if you have anything rational to say to me, + I will stay and listen."</p> +<p>"Yes, yes," he whispered, hoarsely, "I shall + be rational. Only do not leave me."</p> +<p>She again sank down wearily upon the + lounge, and looked at him in expectant silence.</p> +<p>"Miss Edith," pleaded he in the same hoarse, + passionate undertone, "have pity on me, and + do not despise me. I love you--oh--if you + would but allow me to die for you, I should be + the happiest of men."</p> +<p>Again he shuddered, and stood long gazing + at her with a mute, pitiful appeal. A tear stole + into Edith's eye and trickled down over her + cheek.</p> +<p>"Ah, Mr. Birch," she murmured, while a + sigh shook her bosom, "I am sorry--very sorry + that this misfortune has happened to you. You + have deserved a better fate than to love me--to + love a woman who can never give you anything + in return for what you give her."</p> +<p>"Never?" he repeated mournfully, "never?"</p> +<p>"No, never! You have been a good friend + to me, and as such I value you highly, and I had + hoped that you would always remain so. But + I see that it cannot be. It will perhaps be best + for you henceforth not to see me, at least not + until--pardon the expression--you have out- + lived this generous folly. And now, you know, + you will need me no more. You have made a + splendid reputation, and if you choose to avail + yourself of it, your fortune is already made. I + shall always rejoice to hear of your success, and + --and if you should ever need a FRIEND, you + must come to no one but me. I know that these + are feeble words, Mr. Birch, and if they seem + cold to you, you must pardon me. I can say + nothing more."</p> +<p>They were indeed feeble words, although most cordially spoken. He tried to + weigh them, to measure their meaning, but his mind was as if benumbed, and utterly + incapable of thought. He walked across the floor, perhaps only to do something, + not feeling where he trod, but still with an absurd sensation that he was taking + immoderately long steps. Then he stopped abruptly, wrung his hands, and gazed + at Edith. And suddenly, like a flash in a vacuum, the thought shot through his + brain that he had seen this very scene somewhere--in a dream, in a remote childhood, + in a previous existence, he did not know when or where. It seemed strangely + familiar, and in the next instant strangely mean- ingless and unreal. The walls, + the floor-- everything began to move, to whirl about him; he struck his hands + against his forehead, and sank down into a damask-covered easy-chair. With a + faint cry of alarm, Edith sprang up, seized a bottle of cologne which happened + to be within reach, and knelt down at his side. She put her arm around his neck, + and raised his head. </p> +<p>"Mr. Birch, dear Mr. Birch," she cried, in a + frightened whisper, "for God's sake come to + yourself! O God, what have I done?"</p> +<p>She blew the eau-de-cologne into his face, + and, as he languidly opened his eyes, he felt the + touch of her warm hand upon his cheeks and his + forehead.</p> +<p>"Thank heaven! he is better," she murmured, + still continuing to bathe his temples. "How do + you feel now, Mr. Birch?" she added, in a tone + of anxious inquiry.</p> +<p>"Thank you, it was an unpardonable weakness," + he muttered, without changing his attitude. + "Do not trouble yourself about me. I + shall soon be well."</p> +<p>It was so sweet to be conscious of her gentle + ministry, that it required a great effort, an effort + of conscience, to rouse him once more, as his + strength returned.</p> +<p>"Had you not better stay?" she asked, as he + rose to put on his overcoat. "I will call one of + the servants and have him show you a room. + We will say to-morrow morning that you were + taken ill, and nobody will wonder."</p> +<p>"No, no," he responded, energetically. "I + am perfectly strong now." But he still had to + lean on a chair, and his face was deathly pale.</p> +<p>"Farewell, Miss Edith," he said; and a tender + sadness trembled in his voice. "Farewell. We + shall--probably--never meet again."</p> +<p>"Do not speak so," she answered, seizing his + hand. "You will try to forget this, and you + will still be great and happy. And when fortune + shall again smile upon you, and--and-- + you will be content to be my friend, then we + shall see each other as before."</p> +<p>"No, no," he broke forth, with a sudden + hoarseness. "It will never be."</p> +<p>He walked toward the door with the motions of one who feels death in his limbs; + then stopped once more and his eyes lingered with inexpressible sadness on the + wonderful, beloved form which stood dimly outlined before him in the twilight. + Then Edith's measure of misery, too, seemed full. With the divine heedlessness + which belongs to her sex, she rushed up toward him, and remembering only that + he was weak and unhappy, and that he suffered for her sake, she took his face + between her hands and kissed him. He was too generous a man to misinterpret + the act; so he whispered but once more: "Farewell," and hastened away. +</p> +<p> + VII.</p> +<p> + After that eventful December night, America + was no more what it had been to Halfdan + Bjerk. A strange torpidity had come over him; + every rising day gazed into his eyes with a fierce + unmeaning glare. The noise of the street + annoyed him and made him childishly fretful, and + the solitude of his own room seemed still more + dreary and depressing. He went mechanically + through the daily routine of his duties as if the + soul had been taken out of his work, and left + his life all barrenness and desolation. He + moved restlessly from place to place, roamed at + all times of the day and night through the city + and its suburbs, trying vainly to exhaust his + physical strength; gradually, as his lethargy + deepened into a numb, helpless despair, it seemed + somehow to impart a certain toughness to his + otherwise delicate frame. Olson, who was now + a junior partner in the firm of Remsen, Van + Kirk and Co., stood by him faithfully in these + days of sorrow. He was never effusive in his + sympathy, but was patiently forbearing with + his friend's whims and moods, and humored him + as if he had been a sick child intrusted to his + custody. That Edith might be the moving + cause of Olson's kindness was a thought which, + strangely enough, had never occurred to Halfdan.</p> +<p>At last, when spring came, the vacancy of his + mind was suddenly invaded with a strong desire + to revisit his native land. He disclosed his plan + to Olson, who, after due deliberation and + several visits to the Van Kirk mansion, decided + that the pleasure of seeing his old friends and + the scenes of his childhood might push the + painful memories out of sight, and renew his + interest in life. So, one morning, while the + May sun shone with a soft radiance upon the + beautiful harbor, our Norseman found himself + standing on the deck of a huge black-hulled + Cunarder, shivering in spite of the warmth, and + feeling a chill loneliness creeping over him at + the sight of the kissing and affectionate leave- + takings which were going on all around him. + Olson was running back and forth, attending to + his baggage; but he himself took no thought, + and felt no more responsibility than if he had + been a helpless child. He half regretted that + his own wish had prevailed, and was inclined to + hold his friend responsible for it; and still he + had not energy enough to protest now when the + journey seemed inevitable. His heart still clung + to the place which held the corpse of his ruined + life, as a man may cling to the spot which hides + his beloved dead.</p> +<p>About two weeks later Halfdan landed in + Norway. He was half reluctant to leave the + steamer, and the land of his birth excited no + emotion in his breast. He was but conscious of + a dim regret that he was so far away from + Edith. At last, however, he betook himself to + a hotel, where he spent the afternoon sitting + with half-closed eyes at a window, watching + listlessly the drowsy slow-pulsed life which + dribbled languidly through the narrow + thoroughfare. The noisy uproar of Broadway + chimed remotely in his ears, like the distant + roar of a tempest-tossed sea, and what had once + been a perpetual annoyance was now a sweet + memory. How often with Edith at his side had + he threaded his way through the surging crowds + that pour, on a fine afternoon, in an unceasing + current up and down the street between Union + and Madison Squares. How friendly, and sweet, + and gracious, Edith had been at such times; + how fresh her voice, how witty and animated + her chance remarks when they stopped to greet + a passing acquaintance; and, above all, how + inspiring the sight of her heavenly beauty. + Now that was all past. Perhaps he should + never see Edith again.</p> +<p>The next day he sauntered through the city, + meeting some old friends, who all seemed + changed and singularly uninteresting. They + were all engaged or married, and could talk of + nothing but matrimony, and their prospects of + advancement in the Government service. One + had an influential uncle who had been a chum + of the present minister of finance; another based + his hopes of future prosperity upon the family + connections of his betrothed, and a third was + waiting with a patient perseverance, worthy of + a better cause, for the death or resignation of + an antiquated chef-de-bureau, which, according + to the promise of some mighty man, would open + a position for him in the Department of Justice. + All had the most absurd theories about American + democracy, and indulged freely in prophecies + of coming disasters; but about their own + government they had no opinion whatever. If + Halfdan attempted to set them right, they at + once grew excited and declamatory; their + opinions were based upon conviction and a + charming ignorance of facts, and they were not + to be moved. They knew all about Tweed and + the Tammany Ring, and believed them to be + representative citizens of New York, if not of + the United States; but of Charles Sumner and + Carl Schurz they had never heard. Halfdan, + who, in spite of his misfortunes in the land of + his adoption, cherished a very tender feeling for + it, was often so thoroughly aroused at the foolish + prejudices which everywhere met him, that his + torpidity gradually thawed away, and he began + to look more like his former self.</p> +<p>Toward autumn he received an invitation + to visit a country clergyman in the North, a + distant relative of his father's, and there whiled + away his time, fishing and shooting, until winter + came. But as Christmas drew near, and the day + wrestled feebly with the all-conquering night, + the old sorrow revived. In the darkness which + now brooded over land and sea, the thoughts + needed no longer be on guard against themselves; + they could roam far and wide as they + listed. Where was Edith now, the sweet, the + wonderful Edith? Was there yet the same + dancing light in her beautiful eyes, the same + golden sheen in her hair, the same merry ring + in her voice? And had she not said that when + he was content to be only her friend, he might + return to her, and she would receive him in the + old joyous and confiding way? Surely there + was no life to him apart from her: why should + he not be her friend? Only a glimpse of her + lovely face--ah, it was worth a lifetime; it + would consecrate an age of misery, a glimpse of + Edith's face. Thus ran his fancies day by day, + and the night only lent a deeper intensity to the + yearnings of the day. He walked about as in a + dream, seeing nothing, heeding nothing, while + this one strong desire--to see Edith once more + --throbbed and throbbed with a slow, feverish + perseverance within him. Edith--Edith, the + very name had a strange, potent fascination. + Every thought whispered "Edith,"--his pulse + beat "Edith,"--and his heart repeated the + beloved name. It was his pulse-beat,--his + heartbeat,--his life-beat.</p> +<p>And one morning as he stood absently + looking at his fingers against the light--and they + seemed strangely wan and transparent--the + thought at last took shape. It rushed upon + him with such vehemence, that he could no more + resist it. So he bade the clergyman good-bye, + gathered his few worldly goods together and + set out for Bergen. There he found an English + steamer which carried him to Hull, and a few + weeks later, he was once more in New York.</p> +<p>It was late one evening in January that a + tug-boat arrived and took the cabin passengers + ashore. The moon sailed tranquilly over the + deep blue dome of the sky, the stars traced their + glittering paths of light from the zenith downward, + and it was sharp, bitter cold. Northward + over the river lay a great bank of cloud, dense, + gray and massive, the spectre of the coming + snow-storm. There it lay so huge and fantastically + human, ruffling itself up, as fowls do, in + defense against the cold. Halfdan walked on + at a brisk rate--strange to say, all the street- + cars he met went the wrong way--startling + every now and then some precious memory, some + word or look or gesture of Edith's which had + hovered long over those scenes, waiting for his + recognition. There was the great jewel-store + where Edith had taken him so often to consult + his taste whenever a friend of hers was to be + married. It was there that they had had an + amicable quarrel over that bronze statue of + Faust which she had found beautiful, while he, + with a rudeness which seemed now quite + incomprehensible, had insisted that it was not. + And when he had failed to convince her, she had + given him her hand in token of reconciliation-- + and Edith had a wonderful way of giving her + hand, which made any one feel that it was a + peculiar privilege to press it--and they had + walked out arm in arm into the animated, gas- + lighted streets, with a delicious sense of + snugness and security, being all the more closely + united for their quarrel. Here, farther up the + avenue, they had once been to a party, and he + had danced for the first time in his life with + Edith. Here was Delmonico's, where they had + had such fascinating luncheons together; where + she had got a stain on her dress, and he had + been forced to observe that her dress was then + not really a part of herself, since it was a thing + that could not be stained. Her dress had + always seemed to him as something absolute and + final, exalted above criticism, incapable of + improvement.</p> +<p>As I have said, Halfdan walked briskly up the avenue, and it was something + after eleven when he reached the house which he sought. The great cloud-bank + in the north had then begun to expand and stretched its long misty arms eastward + and westward over the heavens. The windows on the ground-floor were dark, but + the sleeping apartments in the upper stories were lighted. In Edith's room the + inside shutters were closed, but one of the windows was a little down at the + top. And as he stood gazing with tremulous happiness up to that window, a stanza + from Heine which he and Edith had often read together, came into his head. It + was the story of the youth who goes to the Madonna at Kevlar and brings her + as a votive offering a heart of wax, that she may heal him of his love and his + sorrow.</p> +<blockquote> + <p> "I bring this waxen image, <br> + <p>The image of my heart,<br> + <p> Heal thou my bitter sorrow, <br> + <p>And cure my deadly smart!"[4] + <p><br> +</blockquote> +<p>[4] Translation, from "Exotics. By J. F. C. & C. L." </p> +<p> + Then came the thought that for him, too, as + for the poor youth of Cologne, there was healing + only in death. And still in this moment he + was so near Edith, should see her perhaps, and + the joy at this was stronger than all else, + stronger even than death. So he sat down + beside the steps of the mansion opposite, where + there was some shelter from the wind, and + waited patiently till Edith should close her win- + dow. He was cold, perhaps, but, if so, he hardly + knew it, for the near joy of seeing her throbbed + warmly in his veins. Ah, there--the blinds + were thrown open; Edith, in all the lithe + magnificence of her wonderful form, stood out clear + and beautiful against the light within; she + pushed up the lower window in order to reach + the upper one, and for a moment leaned out + over the sill. Once more her wondrous profile + traced itself in strong relief against the outer + gloom. There came a cry from the street below, + a feeble involuntary one, but still distinctly + audible. Edith peered anxiously out into the + darkness, but the darkness had grown denser + and she could see nothing. The window was + fastened, the shutters closed, and the broad + pathway of light which she had flung out upon + the night had vanished.</p> +<p>Halfdan closed his eyes trying to retain the + happy vision. Yes, there she stood still, and + there was a heavenly smile upon her lips--ugh, + he shivered--the snow swept in a wild whirl up + the street. He wrapped his plaid more closely + about him, and strained his eyes to catch one + more glimpse of the beloved Edith. Ah, yes; + there she was again; she came nearer and + nearer, and she touched his cheek, gently, warily + smiling all the while with a strange wistful smile + which was surely not Edith's. There, she bent + over him,--touched him again,--how cold her + hands were; the touch chilled him to the heart. + The snow had now begun to fall in large scattered + flakes, whirling fitfully through the air, + following every chance gust of wind, but still + falling, falling, and covering the earth with its + white, death-like shroud.</p> +<p>But surely--there was Edith again,--how + wonderful!--in a long snow-white robe, grave + and gracious, still with the wistful smile on her + lips. See, she beckons to him with her hand, + and he rises to follow, but something heavy + clings to his feet and he cannot stir from the + spot. He tries to cry for help, but he cannot,-- + can only stretch out his hands to her, and feel + very unhappy that he cannot follow her. But + now she pauses in her flight, turns about, and + he sees that she wears a myrtle garland in her + hair like a bride. She comes toward him, her + countenance all radiant with love and happiness, + and she stoops down over him and speaks:</p> +<p>"Come; they are waiting for us. I will follow + thee in life and in death, wherever thou + goest. Come," repeats Edith, "they have long + been waiting. They are all here."</p> +<p>And he imagines he knows who they all are, + although he has never heard of them, nor can + he recall their names.</p> +<p>"But--but," he stammers, "I--I--am a foreigner "</p> +<p>It appeared then that for some reason this + was an insurmountable objection. And Edith's + happiness dies out of her beautiful face, and she + turns away weeping.</p> +<p>"Edith, beloved!"</p> +<p>Then she is once more at his side.</p> +<p>"Thou art no more a foreigner to me, beloved. + Whatever thou art, I am."</p> +<p>And she presses her lips to his--it was the + sweetest kiss of his life--the kiss of death.</p> +<p>The next morning, as Edith, after having put the last touch to her toilet, + threw the shutters open, a great glare of sun-smitten snow burst upon her and + for a moment blinded her eyes. On the sidewalk opposite, half a dozen men with + snow-shovels in their hands and a couple of policeman had congregated, and, + judging by their manner, were discussing some object of interest. Presently + they were joined by her father, who had just finished his breakfast and was + on his way to the office. Now he stooped down and gazed at something half concealed + in the snow, then suddenly started back, and as she caught a glimpse of his + face, she saw that it was ghastly white. A terrible foreboding seized her. She + threw a shawl about her shoulders and rushed down-stairs. In the hall she was + met by her father, who was just entering, followed by four men, carrying something + between them. She well knew what it was. She would fain have turned away, but + she could not: grasping her father's arm and pressing it hard, she gazed with + blank, frightened eyes at the white face, the lines of which Death had so strangely + emphasized. The snow-flakes which hung in his hair had touched him with their + sudden age, as if to bridge the gulf between youth and death. And still he was + beautiful--the clear brow, the peaceful, happy indolence, the frozen smile which + death had perpetuated. Smiling, he had departed from the earth which had no + place for him, and smiling entered the realm where, among the many mansions, + there is, perhaps, also one for a gentle, simple-hearted enthusiast. </p> +<p> </p> +<p> + THE STORY OF AN OUTCAST.</p> +<p>THERE was an ancient feud between the families; and Bjarne Blakstad was not + the man to make it up, neither was Hedin Ullern. So they looked askance at each + other whenever they met on the highway, and the one took care not to cross the + other's path. But on Sundays, when the church- bells called the parishioners + together, they could not very well avoid seeing each other on the church-yard; + and then, one day, many years ago, when the sermon had happened to touch Bjarne's + heart, he had nodded to Hedin and said: "Fine weather to-day;" and + Hedin had returned the nod and answered: "True is that." "Now + I have done my duty before God and men," thought Bjarne, "and it is + his turn to take the next step." "The fellow is proud," said + Hedin to himself, "and he wants to show off his generosity. But I know + the wolf by his skin, even if he has learned to bleat like a ewe-lamb." +</p> +<p>What the feud really was about, they had + both nearly forgotten. All they knew was + that some thirty years ago there had been a + quarrel between the pastor and the parish about + the right of carrying arms to the church. And + then Bjarne's father had been the spokesman of + the parish, while Hedin's grandsire had been a + staunch defender of the pastor. There was a + rumor, too, that they had had a fierce encounter + somewhere in the woods, and that the one had + stabbed the other with a knife; but whether that + was really true, no one could tell.</p> +<p>Bjarne was tall and grave, like the weather- + beaten fir-trees in his mast-forest. He had a + large clean-shaven face, narrow lips, and small + fierce eyes. He seldom laughed, and when he + did, his laugh seemed even fiercer than his + frown. He wore his hair long, as his fathers + had done, and dressed in the styles of two + centuries ago; his breeches were clasped with large + silver buckles at the knees, and his red jerkin + was gathered about his waist with a leathern + girdle. He loved everything that was old, in + dress as well as in manners, took no newspapers, + and regarded railroads and steamboats as inventions + of the devil. Bjarne had married late in + life, and his marriage had brought him two + daughters, Brita and Grimhild.</p> +<p>Hedin Ullern was looked upon as an upstart. + He could only count three generations back, + and he hardly knew himself how his grandfather + had earned the money that had enabled + him to buy a farm and settle down in the + valley. He had read a great deal, and was well + informed on the politics of the day; his name + had even been mentioned for storthingsmand, or + member of parliament from the district, and it + was the common opinion, that if Bjarne Blakstad + had not so vigorously opposed him, he + would have been elected, being the only + "cultivated" peasant in the valley. Hedin was no + unwelcome guest in the houses of gentlefolks, + and he was often seen at the judge's and the + pastor's omber parties. And for all this Bjarne + Blakstad only hated him the more. Hedin's + wife, Thorgerda, was fair-haired, tall and stout, + and it was she who managed the farm, while + her husband read his books, and studied politics + in the newspapers; but she had a sharp tongue + and her neighbors were afraid of her. They + had one son, whose name was Halvard.</p> +<p>Brita Blakstad, Bjarne's eldest daughter, was + a maid whom it was a joy to look upon. They + called her "Glitter-Brita," because she was fond + of rings and brooches, and everything that was + bright; while she was still a child, she once + took the old family bridal-crown out from the + storehouse and carried it about on her head. + "Beware of that crown, child," her father had + said to her, "and wear it not before the time. + There is not always blessing in the bridal + silver." And she looked wonderingly up into + his eyes and answered: "But it glitters, + father;" and from that time forth they had + named her Glitter-Brita.</p> +<p>And Glitter-Brita grew up to be a fair and + winsome maiden, and wherever she went the + wooers flocked on her path. Bjarne shook + his head at her, and often had harsh words + upon his lips, when he saw her braiding field- + flowers into her yellow tresses or clasping the + shining brooches to her bodice; but a look + of hers or a smile would completely disarm + him. She had a merry way of doing things + which made it all seem like play; but work went + rapidly from her hands, while her ringing laughter + echoed through the house, and her sunny + presence made it bright in the dusky ancestral + halls. In her kitchen the long rows of copper + pots and polished kettles shone upon the walls, + and the neatly scoured milk-pails stood like + soldiers on parade about the shelves under the + ceiling. Bjarne would often sit for hours watching + her, and a strange spring-feeling would steal + into his heart. He felt a father's pride in her + stately growth and her rich womanly beauty. + "Ah!" he would say to himself, "she has the + pure blood in her veins and, as true as I live, + the farm shall be hers." And then, quite + contrary to his habits, he would indulge in a little + reverie, imagining the time when he, as an + aged man, should have given the estate over + into her hands, and seeing her as a worthy matron + preside at the table, and himself rocking + his grandchildren on his knee. No wonder, + then, that he eyed closely the young lads who + were beginning to hover about the house, and + that he looked with suspicion upon those who + selected Saturday nights for their visits.[5] + When Brita was twenty years old, however, her + father thought that it was time for her to make + her choice. There were many fine, brave lads + in the valley, and, as Bjarne thought, Brita + would have the good sense to choose the finest + and the bravest. So, when the winter came, he + suddenly flung his doors open to the youth of + the parish, and began to give parties with ale + and mead in the grand old style. He even + talked with the young men, at times, encouraged + them to manly sports, and urged them to taste + of his home-brewed drinks and to tread the + spring-dance briskly. And Brita danced and + laughed so that her hair flew around her and + the silver brooches tinkled and rang on her + bosom. But when the merriment was at an + end, and any one of the lads remained behind + to offer her his hand, she suddenly grew grave, + told him she was too young, that she did not + know herself, and that she had had no time as yet + to decide so serious a question. Thus the winter + passed and the summer drew near.</p> +<p> + [5] In the country districts of Norway Saturday + evening is regarded as "the wooer's eve."</p> +<p> + In the middle of June, Brita went to the saeter[6] + with the cattle; and her sister, Grimhild, + remained at home to keep house on the farm. She + loved the life in the mountains; the great + solitude sometimes made her feel sad, but it was + not an unpleasant sadness, it was rather a gentle + toning down of all the shrill and noisy feelings + of the soul. Up there, in the heart of the + primeval forest, her whole being seemed to herself + a symphony of melodious whispers with a + vague delicious sense of remoteness and mystery + in them, which she only felt and did not attempt + to explain. There, those weird legends which, + in former days, still held their sway in the fancy + of every Norsewoman, breathed their secrets + into her ear, and she felt her nearness and kinship + to nature, as at no other time.</p> +<p> + [6] The saeter is a place in the mountains where the + Norwegian peasants spend their summers pasturing their cattle. + Every large farm has its own saeter, consisting of one + or more chalets, hedged in by a fence of stone or planks.</p> +<p> One night, as the sun was low, and a purple bluish smoke hung like a thin + veil over the tops of the forest, Brita had taken out her knitting and seated + herself on a large moss-grown stone, on the croft. Her eyes wandered over the + broad valley which was stretched out below, and she could see the red roofs + of the Blakstad mansion peeping forth between the fir-trees. And she wondered + what they were doing down there, whether Grimhild had done milking, and whether + her father had returned from the ford, where it was his habit at this hour to + ride with the footmen to water the horses. As she sat thus wondering, she was + startled by a creaking in the dry branches hard by, and lifting her eye, she + saw a tall, rather clumsily built, young man emerging from the thicket. He had + a broad but low forehead, flaxen hair which hung down over a pair of dull ox-like + eyes; his mouth was rather large and, as it was half open, displayed two massive + rows of shining white teeth. His red peaked cap hung on the back of his head + and, although it was summer, his thick wadmal vest was buttoned close up to + his throat; over his right arm he had flung his jacket, and in his hand he held + a bridle. </p> +<p>"Good evening," said Brita, "and thanks for + last meeting;" although she was not sure that + she had ever seen him before.</p> +<p>"It was that bay mare, you know," stammered + the man in a half apologetic tone, and + shook the bridle, as if in further explanation.</p> +<p>"Ah, you have lost your mare," said the girl, + and she could not help smiling at his helplessness + and his awkward manner.</p> +<p>"Yes, it was the bay mare," answered he, in + the same diffident tone; then, encouraged by her + smile, he straightened himself a little and + continued rather more fluently: "She never was + quite right since the time the wolves were after + her. And then since they took the colt away + from her the milk has been troubling her, and + she hasn't been quite like herself."</p> +<p>"I haven't seen her anywhere hereabouts," + said Brita; "you may have to wander far, before + you get on the track of her."</p> +<p>"Yes, that is very likely. And I am tired already."</p> +<p>"Won't you sit down and rest yourself?"</p> +<p>He deliberately seated himself in the grass, + and gradually gained courage to look her + straight in the face; and his dull eye remained + steadfastly fixed on her in a way which bespoke + unfeigned surprise and admiration. Slowly his + mouth broadened into a smile; but his smile had + more of sadness than of joy in it. She had, + from the moment she saw him, been possessed + of a strangely patronizing feeling toward him. + She could not but treat him as if he had been a + girl or some person inferior to her in station. + In spite of his large body, the impression he + made upon her was that of weakness; but she + liked the sincerity and kindness which expressed + themselves in his sad smile and large, honest + blue eyes. His gaze reminded her of that of an + ox, but it had not only the ox's dullness, but + also its simplicity and good-nature.</p> +<p>They sat talking on for a while about the weather, + the cattle, and the prospects of the crops.</p> +<p>"What is your name?" she asked, at last.</p> +<p>"Halvard Hedinson Ullern."</p> +<p>A sudden shock ran through her at the sound + of that name; in the next moment a deep blush + stole over her countenance.</p> +<p>"And my name," she said, slowly, "is Brita + Bjarne's daughter Blakstad."</p> +<p>She fixed her eyes upon him, as if to see + what effect her words produced. But his features + wore the same sad and placid expression; + and no line in his face seemed to betray either + surprise or ill-will. Then her sense of patronage + grew into one of sympathy and pity. "He + must either be weak-minded or very unhappy," + thought she, "and what right have I then to + treat him harshly." And she continued her + simple, straightforward talk with the young + man, until he, too, grew almost talkative, and + the sadness of his smile began to give way to + something which almost resembled happiness. + She noticed the change and rejoiced. At last, + when the sun had sunk behind the western + mountain tops, she rose and bade him good- + night; in another moment the door of the saeter- + cottage closed behind her, and he heard her + bolting it on the inside. But for a long time + he remained sitting on the grass, and strange + thoughts passed through his head. He had + quite forgotten his bay mare.</p> +<p>The next evening when the milking was done, + and the cattle were gathered within the saeter + enclosure, Brita was again sitting on the large + stone, looking out over the valley. She felt a + kind of companionship with the people when + she saw the smoke whirling up from their chimneys, + and she could guess what they were going + to have for supper. As she sat there, she again + heard a creaking in the branches, and Halvard + Ullern stood again before her, with his jacket + on his arm, and the same bridle in his hand.</p> +<p>"You have not found your bay mare yet?" + she exclaimed, laughingly. "And you think + she is likely to be in this neighborhood?"</p> +<p>"I don't know," he answered; "and I don't + care if she isn't."</p> +<p>He spread his jacket on the grass, and sat + down on the spot where he had sat the night + before. Brita looked at him in surprise and + remained silent; she didn't know how to interpret + this second visit.</p> +<p>"You are very handsome," he said, suddenly, + with a gravity which left no doubt as to his + sincerity.</p> +<p>"Do you think so?" she answered, with a + merry laugh. He appeared to her almost a + child, and it never entered her mind to feel + offended. On the contrary, she was not sure but + that she felt pleased.</p> +<p>"I have thought of you ever since yesterday," + he continued, with the same imperturbable + manner. "And if you were not angry with me, I + thought I would like to look at you once more. + You are so different from other folks."</p> +<p>"God bless your foolish talk," cried Brita, + with a fresh burst of merriment. "No, indeed + I am not angry with you; I should just as soon + think of being angry with--with that calf," + she added for want of another comparison.</p> +<p>"You think I don't know much," he + stammered. "And I don't." The sad smile again + settled on his countenance.</p> +<p>A feeling of guilt sent the blood throbbing + through her veins. She saw that she had done + him injustice. He evidently possessed more + sense, or at least a finer instinct, than she had + given him credit for.</p> +<p>"Halvard," she faltered, "if I have offended + you, I assure you I didn't mean to do it; and a + thousand times I beg your pardon."</p> +<p>"You haven't offended me, Brita," answered + he, blushing like a girl. "You are the first one + who doesn't make me feel that I am not so wise + as other folks."</p> +<p>She felt it her duty to be open and confiding + with him in return; and in order not to seem + ungenerous, or rather to put them on an equal + footing by giving him also a peep into her + heart, she told him about her daily work, about + the merry parties at her father's house, and + about the lusty lads who gathered in their halls + to dance the Halling and the spring-dance. He + listened attentively while she spoke, gazing + earnestly into her face, but never interrupting + her. In his turn he described to her in his + slow deliberate way, how his father constantly + scolded him because he was not bright, and did + not care for politics and newspapers, and how + his mother wounded him with her sharp tongue + by making merry with him, even in the presence + of the servants and strangers. He did not seem + to imagine that there was anything wrong in + what he said, or that he placed himself in a + ludicrous light; nor did he seem to speak from + any unmanly craving for sympathy. His manner + was so simple and straightforward that + what Brita probably would have found strange + in another, she found perfectly natural in him.</p> +<p>It was nearly midnight when they parted{.} + She hardly slept at all that night, and she was + half vexed with herself for the interest she + took in this simple youth. The next morning + her father came up to pay her a visit and to see + how the flocks were thriving. She understood + that it would be dangerous to say anything to + him about Halvard, for she knew his temper + and feared the result, if he should ever discover + her secret. Therefore, she shunned an opportunity + to talk with him, and only busied herself + the more with the cattle and the cooking. + Bjarne soon noticed her distraction, but, of + course, never suspected the cause. Before he + left her, he asked her if she did not find it too + lonely on the saeter, and if it would not be well + if he sent her one of the maids for a companion. + She hastened to assure him that that was quite + unnecessary; the cattle-boy who was there to + help her was all the company she wanted. + Toward evening, Bjarne Blakstad loaded his + horses with buckets, filled with cheese and butter, + and started for the valley. Brita stood + long looking after him as he descended the + rocky slope, and she could hardly conceal from + herself that she felt relieved, when, at last, the + forest hid him from her sight. All day she had + been walking about with a heavy heart; there + seemed to be something weighing on her breast, + and she could not throw it off. Who was this + who had come between her and her father? + Had she ever been afraid of him before, had + she been glad to have him leave her? A sudden + bitterness took possession of her, for in her + distress, she gave Halvard the blame for all that + had happened. She threw herself down on the + grass and burst into a passionate fit of weeping; + she was guilty, wretchedly miserable, and + all for the sake of one whom she had hardly + known for two days. If he should come in + this moment, she would tell him what he had + done toward her; and her wish must have been + heard, for as she raised her eyes, he stood there + at her side, the sad feature about his mouth and + his great honest eyes gazing wonderingly at her. + She felt her purpose melt within her; he looked + so good and so unhappy. Then again came the + thought of her father and of her own wrong, + and the bitterness again revived.</p> +<p>"Go away," cried she, in a voice half + reluctantly tender and half defiant. "Go away, + I say; I don't want to see you any more."</p> +<p>"I will go to the end of the world if you + wish it," he answered, with a strange firmness.</p> +<p>He picked up his jacket which he had dropped + on the ground, then turned slowly, gave her + mother long look, an infinitely sad and hopeless + one, and went. Her bosom heaved violently + --remorse, affection and filial duty wrestled + desperately in her heart.</p> +<p>"No, no," she cried, "why do you go? I did + not mean it so. I only wanted--"</p> +<p>He paused and returned as deliberately as he + had gone.</p> +<p>Why should I dwell upon the days that followed-- + how her heart grew ever more restless, + how she would suddenly wake up at nights and + see those large blue eyes sadly gazing at her, + how by turns she would condemn herself and + him, and how she felt with bitter pain that she + was growing away from those who had hitherto + been nearest and dearest to her. And strange + to say, this very isolation from her father made + her cling only the more desperately to him. It + seemed to her as if Bjarne had deliberately + thrown her off; that she herself had been the + one who took the first step had hardly occurred + to her. Alas, her grief was as irrational as her + love. By what strange devious process of + reasoning these convictions became settled in her + mind, it is difficult to tell. It is sufficient to + know that she was a woman and that she loved. + She even knew herself that she was irrational, + and this very sense drew her more hopelessly + into the maze of the labyrinth from which she + saw no escape.</p> +<p>His visits were as regular as those of the sun. + She knew that there was only a word of hers + needed to banish him from her presence forever. + And how many times did she not resolve to + speak that word? But the word was never + spoken. At times a company of the lads from + the valley would come to spend a merry evening + at the saeter; but she heeded them not, and + they soon disappeared. Thus the summer went + amid passing moods of joy and sorrow. She + had long known that he loved her, and when at + last his slow confession came, it added nothing + to her happiness; it only increased her fears for + the future. They laid many plans together in + those days; but winter came as a surprise to + both, the cattle were removed from the mountains, + and they were again separated.</p> +<p>Bjarne Blakstad looked long and wistfully at his daughter that morning, when + he came to bring her home. She wore no more rings and brooches, and it was this + which excited Bjarne's suspicion that everything was not right with her. Formerly + he was displeased because she wore too many; now he grumbled because she wore + none.</p> +<p> + II.</p> +<p> + The winter was half gone; and in all this + time Brita had hardly once seen Halvard. Yes, + once,--it was Christmas-day,--she had ventured + to peep over to his pew in the church, and had + seen him, sitting at his father's side, and gazing + vacantly out into the empty space; but as he + had caught her glance, he had blushed, and began + eagerly to turn the leaves of his hymn- + book. It troubled her that he made no effort to + see her; many an evening she had walked alone + down at the river-side, hoping that he might + come; but it was all in vain. She could not but + believe that his father must have made some + discovery, and that he was watched. In the + mean time the black cloud thickened over her + head; for a secret gnawed at the very roots of + her heart. It was a time of terrible suspense + and suffering--such as a man never knows, such + as only a woman can endure. It was almost a + relief when the cloud burst, and the storm broke + loose, as presently it did.</p> +<p>One Sunday, early in April, Bjarne did not + return at the usual hour from church. His + daughters waited in vain for him with the dinner, + and at last began to grow uneasy. It was + not his habit to keep irregular hours. There + was a great excitement in the valley just then; + the America-fever had broken out. A large + vessel was lying out in the fjord, ready to take + the emigrants away; and there was hardly a + family that did not mourn the loss of some + brave-hearted son, or of some fair and cherished + daughter. The old folks, of course, had to + remain behind; and when the children were gone, + what was there left for them but to lie down + and die? America was to them as distant as if + it were on another planet. The family feeling, + too, has ever been strong in the Norseman's + breast; he lives for his children, and seems to + live his life over again in them. It is his greatest + pride to be able to trace his blood back into the + days of Sverre and St. Olaf, and with the same + confidence he expects to see his race spread into + the future in the same soil where once it has + struck root. Then comes the storm from the + Western seas, wrestles with the sturdy trunk, + and breaks it; and the shattered branches fly to + all the four corners of the heavens. No wonder, + then, like a tree that has lost its crown, his + strength is broken and he expects but to + smoulder into the earth and die.</p> +<p>Bjarne Blakstad, like the sturdy old patriot + that he was, had always fiercely denounced the + America rage; and it was now the hope of his + daughters that, perhaps, he had stayed behind + to remind the restless ones among the youth of + their duty toward their land, or to frighten some + bold emigration agent who might have been too + loud in his declamations. But it was already + eight o'clock and Bjarne was not yet to be seen. + The night was dark and stormy; a cold sleet + fiercely lashed the window-panes, and the wind + roared in the chimney. Grimhild, the younger + sister, ran restlessly out and in and slammed the + doors after her. Brita sat tightly pressed up + against the wall in the darkest corner of the + room. Every time the wind shook the house + she started up; then again seated herself and + shuddered. Dark forebodings filled her soul.</p> +<p>At last,--the clock had just struck ten,--there + was a noise heard in the outer hall. Grimhild + sprang to the door and tore it open. A tall, + stooping figure entered, and by the dress she at + once recognized her father.</p> +<p>"Good God," cried she, and ran up to him.</p> +<p>"Go away, child," muttered he, in a voice + that sounded strangely unfamiliar, and he pushed + her roughly away. For a moment he stood + still, then stalked up to the table, and, with a + heavy thump, dropped down into a chair. There + he remained with his elbows resting on his + knees, and absently staring on the floor. His + long hair hung in wet tangles down over his + face, and the wrinkles about his mouth seemed + deeper and fiercer than usual. Now and then + he sighed, or gave vent to a deep groan. In a + while his eyes began to wander uneasily about + the room; and as they reached the corner where + Brita was sitting, he suddenly darted up, as if + stung by something poisonous, seized a brand + from the hearth, and rushed toward her.</p> +<p>"Tell me I did not see it," he broke forth, + in a hoarse whisper, seizing her by the arm and + thrusting the burning brand close up to her face. + "Tell me it is a lie--a black, poisonous lie."</p> +<p>She raised her eyes slowly to his and gazed + steadfastly into his face. "Ah," he continued + in the same terrible voice, "it was what I told + them down there at the church--a lie--an infernal + lie. And I drew blood--blood, I say--I + did--from the slanderer. Ha, ha, ha! What + a lusty sprawl that was!"</p> +<p>The color came and departed from Brita's + cheeks. And still she was strangely self + possessed. She even wondered at her own calmness. + Alas, she did not know that it was a + calmness that is more terrible than pain, the + corpse of a forlorn and hopeless heart.</p> +<p>"Child," continued Bjarne, and his voice + assumed a more natural tone, "why dost thou + not speak? They have lied about thee, child, + because thou art fair, they have envied thee." + Then, almost imploringly, "Open thy mouth, + Brita, and tell thy father that thou art pure-- + pure as the snow, child--my own--my beautiful child."</p> +<p>There was a long and painful pause, in which + the crackling of the brand, and the heavy + breathing of the old man were the only sounds + to break the silence. Pale like a marble image + stood she before him; no word of excuse, no + prayer for forgiveness escaped her; only a + convulsive quivering of the lips betrayed the life + that struggled within her. With every moment + the hope died in Bjarne's bosom. His visage + was fearful to behold. Terror and fierce + indomitable hatred had grimly distorted his features, + and his eyes burned like fire-coals beneath his bushy brows.</p> +<p>"Harlot," he shrieked, "harlot!"</p> +<p>A cold gust of wind swept through the room. + The windows shook, the doors flew open, as if + touched by a strong invisible hand--and the old + man stood alone, holding the flickering brand + above his head.</p> +<p>It was after midnight, the wind had abated, + but the snow still fell, thick and silent, burying + paths and fences under its cold white mantle. + Onward she fled--onward and ever onward. + And whither, she knew not. A cold numbness + had chilled her senses, but still her feet drove + her irresistibly onward. A dark current seemed + to have seized her, she only felt that she was + adrift, and she cared not whither it bore her. + In spite of the stifling dullness which oppressed + her, her body seemed as light as air. At last,-- + she knew not where,--she heard the roar of the + sea resounding in her ears, a genial warmth + thawed the numbness of her senses, and she + floated joyfully among the clouds--among + golden, sun-bathed clouds. When she opened + her eyes, she found herself lying in a comfortable + bed, and a young woman with a kind motherly + face was sitting at her side. It was all + like a dream, and she made no effort to account + for what appeared so strange and unaccountable.</p> +<p>What she afterward heard was that a fisher- + man had found her in a snow-drift on the strand, + and that he had carried her home to his cottage + and had given her over to the charge of his + wife. This was the second day since her arrival. + They knew who she was, but had kept the doors + locked and had told no one that she was there. + She heard the story of the good woman without + emotion; it seemed an intolerable effort to think. + But on the third day, when her child was born, + her mind was suddenly aroused from its lethargy, + and she calmly matured her plans; and for the + child's sake she resolved to live and to act. + That same evening there came a little boy with + a bundle for her. She opened it and found + therein the clothes she had left behind, and-- + her brooches. She knew that it was her sister + who had sent them; then there was one who + still thought of her with affection. And yet her + first impulse was to send it all back, or to throw + it into the ocean; but she looked at her child and forbore.</p> +<p>A week passed, and Brita recovered. Of + Halvard she had heard nothing. One night, as + she lay in a half doze, she thought she had Seen + a pale, frightened face pressed up against the + window-pane, and staring fixedly at her and her + child; but, after all, it might have been merely + a dream. For her fevered fancy had in these + last days frequently beguiled her into similar + visions. She often thought of him, but, strangely + enough, no more with bitterness, but with + pity. Had he been strong enough to be wicked, + she could have hated him, but he was weak, and + she pitied him. Then it was that; one evening, + as she heard that the American vessel was to + sail at daybreak, she took her little boy and + wrapped him carefully in her own clothes, bade + farewell to the good fisherman and his wife, and + walked alone down to the strand. Huge clouds + of fantastic shapes chased each other desperately + along the horizon, and now and then the + slender new moon glanced forth from the deep + blue gulfs between. She chose a boat at random + and was about to unmoor it, when she saw the + figure of a man tread carefully over the stones + and hesitatingly approach her.</p> +<p>"Brita," came in a whisper from the strand.</p> +<p>"Who's there?"</p> +<p>"It is I. Father knows it all, and he has + nearly killed me; and mother, too."</p> +<p>"Is that what you have come to tell me?"</p> +<p>"No, I would like to help you some. I have + been trying to see you these many days." And + he stepped close up to the boat.</p> +<p>"Thank you; I need no help."</p> +<p>"But, Brita," implored he, "I have sold my + gun and my dog, and everything I had, and this + is what I have got for it." He stretched out + his hand and reached her a red handkerchief + with something heavy bound up in a corner. + She took it mechanically, held it in her hand for + a moment, then flung it far out into the water. + A smile of profound contempt and pity passed + over her countenance.</p> +<p>"Farewell, Halvard," said she, calmly, and + pushed the boat into the water.</p> +<p>"But, Brita," cried he, in despair, "what + would you have me do?"</p> +<p>She lifted the child in her arms, then pointed to the vacant seat at her side. + He understood what she meant, and stood for a moment wavering. Suddenly, he + covered his face with his hands and burst into tears. Within half an hour, Brita + boarded the vessel, and as the first red stripe of the dawn illumined the horizon, + the wind filled the sails, and the ship glided westward toward that land where + there is a home for them whom love and misfortune have exiled.</p> +<p>It was a long and wearisome voyage. There + was an old English clergyman on board, who + collected curiosities; to him she sold her rings + and brooches, and thereby obtained more than + sufficient money to pay her passage. She hardly + spoke to any one except her child. Those of + her fellow-parishioners who knew her, and perhaps + guessed her history, kept aloof from her, + and she was grateful to them that they did. + From morning till night, she sat in a corner + between a pile of deck freight and the kitchen + skylight, and gazed at her little boy who was + lying in her lap. All her hopes, her future, and + her life were in him. For herself, she had + ceased to hope.</p> +<p>"I can give thee no fatherland, my child," she + said to him. "Thou shalt never know the name + of him who gave thee life. Thou and I, we + shall struggle together, and, as true as there is + a God above, who sees us, He will not leave either + of us to perish. But let us ask no questions, + child, about that which is past. Thou shalt + grow and be strong, and thy mother must grow + with thee."</p> +<p>During the third week of the voyage, the + English clergyman baptized the boy, and she + called him Thomas, after the day in the almanac + on which he was born. He should never + know that Norway had been his mother's home; + therefore she would give him no name which + might betray his race. One morning, early in + the month of June, they hailed land, and the + great New World lay before them.</p> +<p></p> +<p>III.</p> +<p> + Why should I speak of the ceaseless care, the + suffering, and the hard toil, which made the + first few months of Brita's life on this continent + a mere continued struggle for existence? They + are familiar to every emigrant who has come + here with a brave heart and an empty purse. + Suffice it to say that at the end of the second + month, she succeeded in obtaining service as + milkmaid with a family in the neighborhood of + New York. With the linguistic talent peculiar + to her people, she soon learned the English + language and even spoke it well. From her + countrymen, she kept as far away as possible, not + for her own sake, but for that of her boy; for + he was to grow great and strong, and the knowledge + of his birth might shatter his strength and + break his courage. For the same reason she + also exchanged her picturesque Norse costume + for that of the people among whom she was + living. She went commonly by the name of + Mrs. Brita, which pronounced in the English + way, sounded very much like Mrs. Bright, and + this at last became the name by which she was + known in the neighborhood.</p> +<p>Thus five years passed; then there was a great + rage for emigrating to the far West, and Brita, + with many others, started for Chicago. There + she arrived in the year 1852, and took up her + lodgings with an Irish widow, who was living + in a little cottage in what was then termed the + outskirts of the city. Those who saw her in + those days, going about the lumber-yards and + doing a man's work, would hardly have recognized + in her the merry Glitter-Brita, who in + times of old trod the spring-dance so gayly in + the well-lighted halls of the Blakstad mansion. + And, indeed, she was sadly changed! Her features + had become sharper, and the firm lines + about her mouth expressed severity, almost + sternness. Her clear blue eyes seemed to have + grown larger, and their glance betrayed secret, + ever-watchful care. Only her yellow hair had + resisted the force of time and sorrow; for it + still fell in rich and wavy folds over a smooth + white forehead. She was, indeed, half ashamed + of it, and often took pains to force it into a + sober, matronly hood. Only at nights, when + she sat alone talking with her boy, she would + allow it to escape from its prison; and he would + laugh and play with it, and in his child's way + even wonder at the contrast between her stern + face and her youthful maidenly tresses.</p> +<p>This Thomas, her son, was a strange child. + He had a Norseman's taste for the fabulous and + fantastic, and although he never heard a tale of + Necken or the Hulder, he would often startle + his mother by the most fanciful combinations + of imagined events, and by bolder personifications + than ever sprung from the legendary soil + of the Norseland. She always took care to + check him whenever he indulged in these imaginary + flights, and he at last came to look upon + them as something wrong and sinful. The boy, + as he grew up, often strikingly reminded her of + her father, as, indeed, he seemed to have + inherited more from her own than from Halvard's + race. Only the bright flaxen hair and his square, + somewhat clumsy stature might have told him + to be the latter's child. He had a hot temper, + and often distressed his mother by his stubbornness; + and then there would come a great burst + of repentance afterwards, which distressed her + still more. For she was afraid it might be a + sign of weakness. "And strong he must be," + said she to herself, "strong enough to overcome + all resistance, and to conquer a great name for + himself, strong enough to bless a mother who + brought him into the world nameless."</p> +<p>Strange to say, much as she loved this child, + she seldom caressed him. It was a penance she + had imposed upon herself to atone for her guilt. + Only at times, when she had been sitting up late, + and her eyes would fall, as it were, by accident + upon the little face on the pillow, with the + sweet unconsciousness of sleep resting upon it + like a soft, invisible veil, would she suddenly + throw herself down over him, kiss him, and + whisper tender names in his ear, while her tears + fell hot and fast on his yellow hair and his rosy + countenance. Then the child would dream that + he was sailing aloft over shining forests, and + that his mother, beaming with all the beauty of + her lost youth, flew before him, showering + golden flowers on his path. These were the + happiest moments of Brita's joyless life, and + even these were not unmixed with bitterness; + for into the midst of her joy would steal a shy + anxious thought which was the more terrible + because it came so stealthily, so soft-footed and + unbidden. Had not this child been given her + as a punishment for her guilt? Had she then a + right to turn God's scourge into a blessing? + Did she give to God "that which belongeth unto + God," as long as all her hopes, her thoughts, + and her whole being revolved about this one + earthly thing, her son, the child of her sorrow? + She was not a nature to shrink from grave questions; + no, she met them boldly, when once they + were there, wrestled fiercely with them, was + defeated, and again with a martyr's zeal rose to + renew the combat. God had Himself sent her + this perplexing doubt and it was her duty to + bear His burden. Thus ran Brita's reasoning. + In the mean while the years slipped by, and great + changes were wrought in the world about her.</p> +<p>The few hundred dollars which Brita had been + able to save, during the first three years of her + stay in Chicago, she had invested in a piece of + land. In the mean while the city had grown, + and in the year 1859 she was offered five thousand + dollars for her lot; this offer she accepted + and again bought a small piece of property at + a short distance from the city. The boy had + since his eighth year attended the public school, + and had made astonishing progress. Every day + when school was out, she would meet him at the + gate, take him by the hand and lead him home. + If any of the other boys dared to make sport of + her, or to tease him for his dependence upon + her, it was sure to cost that boy a black eye{.} + He soon succeeded in establishing himself in + the respect of his school-mates, for he was the + strongest boy of his own age, and ever ready to + protect and defend the weak and defenseless. + When Thomas Bright (for that was the name + by which he was known) was fifteen years old + he was offered a position as clerk in the office of + a lumber-merchant, and with his mother's consent + he accepted it. He was a fine young lad + now, large and well-knit, and with a clear + earnest countenance. In the evening he would bring + home books to read, and as it had always been + Brita's habit to interest herself in whatever + interested him, she soon found herself studying + and discussing with him things which had in + former years been far beyond the horizon of + her mind. She had at his request reluctantly + given up her work in the lumber-yards, and now + spent her days at home, busying herself with + sewing and reading and such other things as + women find to fill up a vacant hour.</p> +<p>One evening, when Thomas was in his nineteenth + year, he returned from his office with a + graver face than usual. His mother's quick eye + immediately saw that something had agitated + him, but she forbore to ask.</p> +<p>"Mother," said he at last, "who is my father? + Is he dead or alive?"</p> +<p>"God is your father, my son," answered she, + tremblingly. "If you love me, ask me no more."</p> +<p>"I do love you, mother," he said, and gave + her a grave look, in which she thought she + detected a mingling of tenderness and reproach. + "And it shall be as you have said."</p> +<p>It was the first time she had had reason to + blush before him, and her emotion came near + overwhelming her; but with a violent effort + she stifled it, and remained outwardly calm. + He began pacing up and down the floor with + his head bent and his hands on his back. It + suddenly occurred to her that he was a grown + man, and that she could no longer hold the + same relation to him as his supporter and + protector. "Alas," thought she, "if God will but + let me remain his mother, I shall bless and thank Him."</p> +<p>It was the first time this subject had been + broached, and it gave rise to many a doubt and + many a question in the anxious mother's mind. + Had she been right in concealing from him that + which he might justly claim to know? What + had been her motive in keeping him ignorant of + his origin and of the land of his birth? She + had wished him to grow to the strength of man- + hood, unconscious of guilt, so that he might + bear his head upright, and look the world + fearlessly in the face. And still, had there not in + all this been a lurking thought of herself, a fear + of losing his love, a desire to stand pure and + perfect in his eye? She hardly dared to answer + these questions, for, alas, she knew not that even + our purest motives are but poorly able to bear a + searching scrutiny. She began to suspect that + her whole course with her son had been wrong + from the very beginning. Why had she not + told him the stern truth, even if he should + despise her for it, even if she should have to stand + a blushing culprit in his presence? Often, when + she heard his footsteps in the hall, as he returned + from the work of the day, she would man herself + up and the words hovered upon her lips: + "Son, thou art a bastard born, a child of guilt, + and thy mother is an outcast upon the earth." + But when she met those calm blue eyes of his, + saw the unsuspecting frankness of his manner + and the hopefulness with which he looked to + the future, her womanly heart shrank from its + duty, and she hastened out of the room, threw + herself on her bed, and wept. Fiercely she + wrestled with God in prayer, until she thought + that even God had deserted her. Thus months + passed and years, and the constant care and + anxiety began to affect her health. She grew + pale and nervous, and the slightest noise would + annoy her. In the mean while, her manner + toward the young man had become strangely + altered, and he soon noticed it, although he + forbore to speak. She was scrupulously mindful + of his comfort, anxiously anticipated his wants, + and observed toward him an ever vigilant consideration, + as if he had been her master instead of her son.</p> +<p>When Thomas was twenty-two years of age, + he was offered a partnership in his employer's + business, and with every year his prospects + brightened. The sale of his mother's property + brought him a very handsome little fortune, + which enabled him to build a fine and comfortable + house in one of the best portions of the + city. Thus their outward circumstances were + greatly improved, and of comfort and luxury + Brita had all and more than she had ever + desired; but her health was broken down, and the + physicians declared that a year of foreign + travel and a continued residence in Italy might + possibly restore her. At last, Thomas, too, + began to urge her, until she finally yielded. It + was on a bright morning in May that they both + started for New York, and three days later they + took the boat for Europe. What countries + they were to visit they had hardly decided, but + after a brief stay in England we find them again + on a steamer bound for Norway.</p> +<p></p> +<p>IV.</p> +<p> + Warm and gentle as it is, June often comes + to the fjord-valleys of Norway with the voice + and the strength of a giant. The glaciers totter + and groan, as if in anger at their own weakness, + and send huge avalanches of stones and ice + down into the valleys. The rivers swell and + rush with vociferous brawl out over the mountain- + sides, and a thousand tiny brooks join in + the general clamor, and dance with noisy chatter + over the moss-grown birch-roots. But later, + when the struggle is at an end, and June has + victoriously seated herself upon her throne, her + voice becomes more richly subdued and brings + rest and comfort to the ear and to the troubled + heart. It was while the month was in this latter + mood that Brita and her son entered once more + the valley whence, twenty-five years ago, they + had fled. Many strange, turbulent emotions + stirred the mother's bosom, as she saw again + the great snow-capped mountains, and the calm, + green valley, her childhood's home, lying so + snugly sheltered in their mighty embrace. + Even Thomas's breast was moved with vaguely + sympathetic throbs, as this wondrous scene + spread itself before him. They soon succeeded + in hiring a farm-house, about half an hour's + walk from Blakstad, and, according to Brita's + wish, established themselves there for the summer. + She had known the people well, when she + was young, but they never thought of identifying + her with the merry maid, who had once + startled the parish by her sudden flight; and + she, although she longed to open her heart to + them, let no word fall to betray her real + character. Her conscience accused her of playing + a false part, but for her son's sake she kept silent.</p> +<p>Then, one day,--it was the second Sunday + after their arrival,--she rose early in the morning, + and asked Thomas to accompany her on a + walk up through the valley. There was Sabbath + in the air; the soft breath of summer, laden + with the perfume of fresh leaves and field-flowers, + gently wafted into their faces. The sun + glittered in the dewy grass, the crickets sung + with a remote voice of wonder, and the air + seemed to be half visible, and moved in trem- + bling wavelets on the path before them. Resting + on her son's arm, Brita walked slowly up + through the flowering meadows; she hardly + knew whither her feet bore her, but her heart + beat violently, and she often was obliged to + pause and press her hands against her bosom, as + if to stay the turbulent emotions.</p> +<p>"You are not well, mother," said the son. + "It was imprudent in me to allow you to exert + yourself in this way."</p> +<p>"Let us sit down on this stone," answered + she. "I shall soon be better. Do not look so + anxiously at me. Indeed, I am not sick."</p> +<p>He spread his light summer coat on the stone and carefully seated her. She + lifted her veil and raised her eyes to the large red-roofed mansion, whose dark + outlines drew themselves dimly on the dusky background of the pine forest. Was + he still alive, he whose life-hope she had wrecked, he who had once driven her + out into the night with all but a curse upon his lips? How would he receive + her, if she were to return? Ah, she knew him, and she trembled at the very thought + of meeting him. But was not the guilt hers? Could she depart from this valley, + could she die in peace, without having thrown herself at his feet and implored + his for- giveness? And there, on the opposite side of the valley, lay the home + of him who had been the cause of all her misery. What had been his fate, and + did he still remember those long happy summer days, ah! so long, long ago? She + had dared to ask no questions of the people with whom she lived, but now a sudden + weakness had overtaken her, and she felt that to-day must decide her fate; she + could no longer bear this torture of uncertainty. Thomas remained standing at + her side and looked at her with anxiety and wonder. He knew that she had concealed + many things from him, but whatever her reasons might be, he was confident that + they were just and weighty. It was not for him to question her about what he + might have no right to know. He felt as if he had never loved her as in this + moment, when she seemed to be most in need of him, and an overwhelming tenderness + took possession of his heart. He suddenly stooped down, took her pale, thin + face between his hands and kissed her. The long pent-up emotion burst forth + in a flood of tears; she buried her face in her lap and wept long and silently. + Then the church-bells began to peal down in the valley, and the slow mighty + sound floated calmly and solemnly up to them. How many long-forgotten memories + of childhood and youth did they not wake in her bosom --memories of the time + when the merry Glitter- Brita, decked with her shining brooches, wended her + way to the church among the gayly-dressed lads and maidens of the parish?</p> +<p>A cluster of white-stemmed birches threw its + shadow over the stone where the penitent + mother was sitting, and the tall grass on both + sides of the path nearly hid her from sight. + Presently the church-folk began to appear, and + Brita raised her head and drew her veil down over + her face. No one passed without greeting the + strangers, and the women and maidens, according + to old fashion, stopped and courtesied. At + last, there came an old white-haired man, leaning + on the arm of a middle-aged woman. His + whole figure was bent forward, and he often + stopped and drew his breath heavily.</p> +<p>"Oh, yes, yes," he said, ill a hoarse, broken + voice, as he passed before them, "age is gaining + on me fast. I can't move about any more + as of old. But to church I must this day. God + help me! I have done much wrong and need to + pray for forgiveness."</p> +<p>"You had better sit down and rest, father," + said the woman. "Here is a stone, and the + fine lady, I am sure, will allow a weak old man + to sit down beside her."</p> +<p>Thomas rose and made a sign to the old man + to take his seat.</p> +<p>"O yes, yes," he went on murmuring, as if + talking to himself. "Much wrong--much + forgiveness. God help us all--miserable sinners. + He who hateth not father and mother--and + daughter is not worthy of me. O, yes--yes-- + God comfort us all. Help me up, Grimhild. I + think I can move on again, now."</p> +<p>Thomas, of course, did not understand a word + of what he said, but seeing that he wished to + rise, he willingly offered his assistance, supported + his arm and raised him.</p> +<p>"Thanks to you, young man," said the peasant. + "And may God reward your kindness."</p> +<p>And the two, father and daughter, moved on, + slowly and laboriously, as they had come. + Thomas stood following them with his eyes, + until a low, half-stifled moan suddenly called + him to his mother's side. Her frame trembled violently.</p> +<p>"Mother, mother," implored he, stooping + over her, "what has happened? Why are you + no more yourself?"</p> +<p>"Ah, my son, I can bear it no longer," sobbed + she. "God forgive me--thou must know it all."</p> +<p>He sat down at her side and drew her closely + up to him and she hid her face on his bosom. + There was a long silence, only broken by the + loud chirruping of the crickets.</p> +<p>"My son," she began at last, still hiding her face, + "thou art a child of guilt."</p> +<p>"That has been no secret to me, mother," + answered he, gravely and tenderly, "since I was + old enough to know what guilt was."</p> +<p>She quickly raised her head, and a look of + amazement, of joyous surprise, shone through + the tears that veiled her eyes. She could read + nothing but filial love and confidence in those + grave, manly features, and she saw in that + moment that all her doubts had been groundless, + that her long prayerful struggle had been for naught.</p> +<p>"I brought thee into the world nameless," she + whispered, "and thou hast no word of reproach + for me?"</p> +<p>"With God's help, I am strong enough to conquer + a name for myself, mother," was his answer.</p> +<p>It was the very words of her own secret wish, + and upon his lips they sounded like a blessed + assurance, like a miraculous fulfillment of her + motherly prayer.</p> +<p>"Still, another thing, my child," she went on + in a more confident voice. "This is thy native + land,--and the old man who was just sitting + here at my side was--my father."</p> +<p>And there, in the shadow of the birch-trees, + in the summer stillness of that hour, she told + him the story of her love, of her flight, and of + the misery of these long, toilsome five and + twenty years.</p> +<p>Late in the afternoon, Brita and her son were + seen returning to the farm-house. A calm, subdued + happiness beamed from the mother's countenance; + she was again at peace with the world + and herself, and her heart was as light as in the + days of her early youth. But her bodily + strength had given out, and her limbs almost + refused to support her. The strain upon her + nerves and the constant effort had hitherto + enabled her to keep up, but now, when that + strain was removed, exhausted nature claimed + its right. The next day--she could not leave + her bed, and with every hour her strength + failed. A physician was sent for. He gave + medicine, but no hope. He shook his head + gravely, as he went, and both mother and son + knew what that meant.</p> +<p>Toward evening, Bjarne Blakstad was + summoned, and came at once. Thomas left the + room, as the old man entered, and what passed + in that hour between father and daughter, only + God knows. When the door was again opened, + Brita's eyes shone with a strange brilliancy, and + Bjarne lay on his knees before the bed, pressing + her hand convulsively between both of his.</p> +<p>"This is my son, father," said she, in a + language which her son did not understand; and a + faint smile of motherly pride and happiness + flitted over her pale features. "I would give + him to thee in return for what thou hast lost; + but God has laid his future in another land."</p> +<p>Bjarne rose, grasped his grandson's hand, and + pressed it; and two heavy tears ran down his + furrowed cheeks. "Alas," murmured he, "my + son, that we should meet thus."</p> +<p>There they stood, bound together by the + bonds of blood, but, alas, there lay a world + between them.</p> +<p>All night they sat together at the dying + woman's bedside. Not a word was spoken. + Toward morning, as the sun stole into the darkened + chamber, Brita murmured their names, and + they laid their hands in hers.</p> +<p>"God be praised," whispered she, scarcely + audibly, "I have found you both--my father + and my son." A deep pallor spread over her + countenance. She was dead.</p> +<p>Two days later, when the body was laid out, + Thomas stood alone in the room. The windows + were covered with white sheets, and a subdued + light fell upon the pale, lifeless countenance. + Death had dealt gently with her, she seemed + younger than before, and her light wavy + hair fell softly over the white forehead. Then + there came a middle-aged man, with a dull eye, + and a broad forehead, and timidly approached + the lonely mourner. He walked on tip-toe and + his figure stooped heavily. For a long while he + stood gazing at the dead body, then he knelt + down at the foot of the coffin, and began to sob + violently. At last he arose, took two steps toward + the young man, paused again, and departed + silently as he had come. It was Halvard.</p> +<p>Close under the wall of the little red-painted + church, they dug the grave; and a week later + her father was laid to rest at his daughter's side.</p> +<p>But the fresh winds blew over the Atlantic + and beckoned the son to new fields of labor in + the great land of the future.</p> +<p></p> +<p>A GOOD-FOR-NOTHING.</p> +<p>RALPH GRIM was born a gentleman. + He had the misfortune of coming into + the world some ten years later than + might reasonably have been expected. + Colonel Grim and his lady had celebrated twelve + anniversaries of their wedding-day, and had + given up all hopes of ever having a son and + heir, when this late-comer startled them by his + unexpected appearance. The only previous + addition to the family had been a daughter, and + she was then ten summers old.</p> +<p>Ralph was a very feeble child, and could only + with great difficulty be persuaded to retain his + hold of the slender thread which bound him to + existence. He was rubbed with whisky, and + wrapped in cotton, and given mare's milk to + drink, and God knows what not, and the Colonel + swore a round oath of paternal delight + when at last the infant stopped gasping in that + distressing way and began to breathe like other + human beings. The mother, who, in spite of + her anxiety for the child's life, had found time + to plot for him a career of future magnificence, + now suddenly set him apart for literature, + because that was the easiest road to fame, and + disposed of him in marriage to one of the most + distinguished families of the land. She + cautiously suggested this to her husband when he + came to take his seat at her bedside; but to + her utter astonishment she found that he had + been indulging a similar train of thought, and + had already destined the infant prodigy for the + army. She, however, could not give up her + predilection for literature, and the Colonel, who + could not bear to be contradicted in his own + house, as he used to say, was getting every + minute louder and more flushed, when, happily, + the doctor's arrival interrupted the dispute.</p> +<p>As Ralph grew up from infancy to childhood, + he began to give decided promise of future + distinction. He was fond of sitting down in a + corner and sucking his thumb, which his mother + interpreted as the sign of that brooding disposition + peculiar to poets and men of lofty genius. + At the age of five, he had become sole master + in the house. He slapped his sister Hilda in + the face, or pulled her hair, when she hesitated + to obey him, tyrannized over his nurse, and + sternly refused to go to bed in spite of his + mother's entreaties. On such occasions, the + Colonel would hide his face behind his newspaper, + and chuckle with delight; it was evident + that nature had intended his son for a great + military commander. As soon as Ralph himself + was old enough to have any thoughts about his + future destiny, he made up his mind that he + would like to be a pirate. A few months later, + having contracted an immoderate taste for + candy, he contented himself with the comparatively + humble position of a baker; but when + he had read "Robinson Crusoe," he manifested + a strong desire to go to sea in the hope of being + wrecked on some desolate island. The parents + spent long evenings gravely discussing these + indications of uncommon genius, and each + interpreted them in his or her own way.</p> +<p>"He is not like any other child I ever knew," + said the mother.</p> +<p>"To be sure," responded the father, earnestly. + "He is a most extraordinary child. I was a + very remarkable child too, even if I do say it + myself; but, as far as I remember, I never + aspired to being wrecked on an uninhabited is + land."</p> +<p>The Colonel probably spoke the truth; but + he forgot to take into account that he had never + read "Robinson Crusoe."</p> +<p>Of Ralph's school-days there is but little to + report, for, to tell the truth, he did not fancy + going to school, as the discipline annoyed him. + The day after his having entered the gymnasium, + which was to prepare him for the Military + Academy, the principal saw him waiting at the + gate after his class had been dismissed. He + approached him, and asked why he did not go + home with the rest.</p> +<p>"I am waiting for the servant to carry my + books," was the boy's answer.</p> +<p>"Give me your books," said the teacher.</p> +<p>Ralph reluctantly obeyed. That day the + Colonel was not a little surprised to see his son + marching up the street, and every now and then + glancing behind him with a look of discomfort + at the principal, who was following quietly in + his train, carrying a parcel of school-books. + Colonel Grim and his wife, divining the teacher's + intention, agreed that it was a great outrage, + but they did not mention the matter to Ralph. + Henceforth, however, the boy refused to be + accompanied by his servant. A week later he + was impudent to the teacher of gymnastics, + who whipped him in return. The Colonel's + rage knew no bounds; he rode in great haste + to the gymnasium, reviled the teacher for + presuming to chastise HIS son, and committed the + boy to the care of a private tutor.</p> +<p>At the age of sixteen, Ralph went to the + capital with the intention of entering the + Military Academy. He was a tall, handsome youth, + slender of stature, and carried himself as erect + as a candle. He had a light, clear complexion + of almost feminine delicacy; blonde, curly hair, + which he always kept carefully brushed; a low + forehead, and a straight, finely modeled nose. + There was an expression of extreme sensitiveness + about the nostrils, and a look of indolence + in the dark-blue eyes. But the ensemble of his + features was pleasing, his dress irreproachable, + and his manners bore no trace of the awkward + self-consciousness peculiar to his age. Immediately + on his arrival in the capital he hired a + suite of rooms in the aristocratic part of the + city, and furnished them rather expensively, + but in excellent taste. From a bosom friend, + whom he met by accident in the restaurant's + pavilion in the park, he learned that a pair of + antlers, a stuffed eagle, or falcon, and a couple + of swords, were indispensable to a well-appointed + apartment. He accordingly bought these articles + at a curiosity-shop. During the first weeks + of his residence in the city he made some feeble + efforts to perfect himself in mathematics, in + which he suspected he was somewhat deficient. + But when the same officious friend laughed at + him, and called him "green," he determined to + trust to fortune, and henceforth devoted himself + the more assiduously to the French ballet, where + he had already made some interesting acquaintances.</p> +<p>The time for the examination came; the + French ballet did not prove a good preparation; + Ralph failed. It quite shook him for the time, + and he felt humiliated. He had not the courage + to tell his father; so he lingered on from + day to day, sat vacantly gazing out of his window, + and tried vainly to interest himself in the + busy bustle down on the street. It provoked + him that everybody else should be so light- + hearted, when he was, or at least fancied himself, + in trouble. The parlor grew intolerable; + he sought refuge in his bedroom. There + he sat one evening (it was the third day after + the examination), and stared out upon the gray + stone walls which on all sides enclosed the + narrow court-yard. The round stupid face of the + moon stood tranquilly dozing like a great Limburger + cheese suspended under the sky.</p> +<p>Ralph, at least, could think of a no more + fitting simile. But the bright-eyed young girl + in the window hard by sent a longing look up + to the same moon, and thought of her distant + home on the fjords, where the glaciers stood + like hoary giants, and caught the yellow moonbeams + on their glittering shields of snow. She + had been reading "Ivanhoe" all the afternoon, + until the twilight had overtaken her quite + unaware, and now she suddenly remembered that + she had forgotten to write her German exercise. + She lifted her face and saw a pair of sad, vacant + eyes, gazing at her from the next window in + the angle of the court. She was a little startled + at first, but in the next moment she thought of + her German exercise and took heart.</p> +<p>"Do you know German?" she said; then + immediately repented that she had said it.</p> +<p>"I do," was the answer.</p> +<p>She took up her apron and began to twist it + with an air of embarrassment.</p> +<p>"I didn't mean anything," she whispered, at last. + "I only wanted to know."</p> +<p>"You are very kind."</p> +<p>That answer roused her; he was evidently + making sport of her.</p> +<p>"Well, then, if you do, you may write my + exercise for me. I have marked the place in + the book."</p> +<p>And she flung her book over to his window, + and he caught it on the edge of the sill, just as + it was falling.</p> +<p>"You are a very strange girl," he remarked, + turning over the leaves of the book, although + it was too dark to read. "How old are you?"</p> +<p>"I shall be fourteen six weeks before + Christmas," answered she, frankly.</p> +<p>"Then I excuse you."</p> +<p>"No, indeed," cried she, vehemently. "You + needn't excuse me at all. If you don't want to + write my exercise, you may send the book back + again. I am very sorry I spoke to you, and I + shall never do it again."</p> +<p>"But you will not get the book back again + without the exercise," replied he, quietly. + "Good-night."</p> +<p>The girl stood long looking after him, hoping + that he would return. Then, with a great burst + of repentance, she hid her face in her lap, and + began to cry.</p> +<p>"Oh, dear, I didn't mean to be rude," she + sobbed. "But it was Ivanhoe and Rebecca + who upset me."</p> +<p>The next morning she was up before daylight, + and waited for two long hours in great + suspense before the curtain of his window was + raised. He greeted her politely; threw a hasty + glance around the court to see if he was + observed, and then tossed her book dexterously + over into her hands.</p> +<p>"I have pinned the written exercise to the fly- + leaf," he said. "You will probably have time + to copy it before breakfast."</p> +<p>"I am ever so much obliged to you," she + managed to stammer.</p> +<p>He looked so tall and handsome, and grown- + up, and her remorse stuck in her throat, and + threatened to choke her. She had taken him for a boy + as he sat there in his window the evening before.</p> +<p>"By the way, what is your name?" he asked, + carelessly, as he turned to go.</p> +<p>"Bertha."</p> +<p>"Well, my dear Bertha, I am happy to have + made your acquaintance."</p> +<p>And he again made her a polite bow, and entered his parlor.</p> +<p>"How provokingly familiar he is," thought + she; "but no one can deny that he is handsome."</p> +<p>The bright roguish face of the young girl + haunted Ralph during the whole next week. + He had been in love at least ten times before, of + course; but, like most boys, with young ladies far + older than himself. He found himself frequently + glancing over to her window in the + hope of catching another glimpse of her face; + but the curtain was always drawn down, and + Bertha remained invisible. During the second + week, however, she relented, and they had many + a pleasant chat together. He now volunteered + to write all her exercises, and she made no + objections. He learned that she was the daughter + of a well-to-do peasant in the sea-districts of + Norway (and it gave him quite a shock to hear + it), and that she was going to school in the city, + and boarded with an old lady who kept a pension + in the house adjoining the one in which he lived.</p> +<p>One day in the autumn Ralph was surprised + by the sudden arrival of his father, and the fact + of his failure in the examination could no longer + be kept a secret. The old Colonel flared up at + once when Ralph made his confession; the large + veins upon his forehead swelled; he grew coppery- + red in his face, and stormed up and down + the floor, until his son became seriously alarmed; + but, to his great relief, he was soon made aware</p> +<p>that his father's wrath was not turned against him personally, but against + the officials of the Military Academy who had rejected him. The Colonel took + it as an insult to his own good name and irreproachable standing as an officer; + he promptly refused any other explanation, and vainly racked his brain to remember + if any youthful folly of his could possibly have made him enemies among the + teachers of the Academy. He at last felt satisfied that it was envy of his own + greatness and rapid advancement which had induced the rascals to take vengeance + on his son. Ralph reluctantly followed his father back to the country town where + the latter was stationed, and the fair-haired Bertha vanished from his horizon. + His mother's wish now prevailed, and he began, in his own easy way, to prepare + himself for the University. He had little taste for Cicero, and still less for + Virgil, but with the use of a "pony" he soon gained sufficient knowledge + of these authors to be able to talk in a sort of patronizing way about them, + to the great delight of his fond parents. He took quite a fancy, however, to + the ode in Horace ending with the lines:</p> +<blockquote> + <p> Dulce ridentem, <br> + <p>Dulce loquentem, <br> + <p>Lalagen amabo.<br> + <p> +</blockquote> +<p>And in his thought he substituted for Lalage the + fair-haired Bertha, quite regardless of the + requirements of the metre.</p> +<p>To make a long story short, three years later + Ralph returned to the capital, and, after having + worn out several tutors, actually succeeded + in entering the University.</p> +<p>The first year of college life is a happy time + to every young man, and Ralph enjoyed its + processions, its parliamentary gatherings, and its + leisure, as well as the rest. He was certainly + not the man to be sentimental over the loss of a + young girl whom, moreover, he had only known + for a few weeks. Nevertheless, he thought of + her at odd times, but not enough to disturb + his pleasure. The standing of his family, his + own handsome appearance, and his immaculate + linen opened to him the best houses of the city, + and he became a great favorite in society. At + lectures he was seldom seen, but more frequently + in the theatres, where he used to come in during + the middle of the first act, take his station in + front of the orchestra box, and eye, through his + lorgnettes, by turns, the actresses and the ladies + of the parquet.</p> +<p></p> +<p>II.</p> +<p> + Two months passed, and then came the great + annual ball which the students give at the opening + of the second semester. Ralph was a man + of importance that evening; first, because he + belonged to a great family; secondly, because he + was the handsomest man of his year. He wore + a large golden star on his breast (for his fellow- + students had made him a Knight of the Golden + Boar), and a badge of colored ribbons in his + button-hole.</p> +<p>The ball was a brilliant affair, and everybody + was in excellent spirits, especially the ladies. + Ralph danced incessantly, twirled his soft + mustache, and uttered amiable platitudes. It was + toward midnight, just as the company was moving + out to supper, that he caught the glance of + a pair of dark-blue eyes, which suddenly drove + the blood to his cheeks and hastened the beating + of his heart. But when he looked once + more the dark-blue eyes were gone, and his + unruly heart went on hammering against his side. + He laid his hand on his breast and glanced + furtively at his fair neighbor, but she looked happy + and unconcerned, for the flavor of the ice-cream + was delicious. It seemed an endless meal, but, + when it was done, Ralph rose, led his partner + back to the ball-room, and hastily excused + himself. His glance wandered round the wide hall, + seeking the well-remembered eyes once more, + and, at length, finding them in a remote corner, + half hid behind a moving wall of promenaders. + In another moment he was at Bertha's side.</p> +<p>"You must have been purposely hiding yourself, + Miss Bertha," said he, when the usual + greetings were exchanged. "I have not caught + a glimpse of you all this evening, until a few + moments ago."</p> +<p>"But I have seen you all the while," answered + the girl, frankly. "I knew you at once as I + entered the hall."</p> +<p>"If I had but known that you were here," + resumed Ralph, as it were, invisibly expanding + with an agreeable sense of dignity, "I assure + you, you would have been the very first one I + should have sought."</p> +<p>She raised her large grave eyes to his, as if + questioning his sincerity; but she made no + answer.</p> +<p>"Good gracious!" thought Ralph. "She + takes things terribly in earnest."</p> +<p>"You look so serious, Miss Bertha," said he, + after a moment's pause. "I remember you as a + bright-eyed, flaxen-haired little girl, who threw + her German exercise-book to me across the yard, + and whose merry laughter still rings pleasantly + in my memory. I confess I don't find it quite + easy to identify this grave young lady with my + merry friend of three years ago."</p> +<p>"In other words, you are disappointed at not + finding me the same as I used to be."</p> +<p>"No, not exactly that; but--"</p> +<p>Ralph paused and looked puzzled. There + was something in the earnestness of her manner + which made a facetious compliment seem grossly + inappropriate, and in the moment no other + escape suggested itself.</p> +<p>"But what?" demanded Bertha, mercilessly.</p> +<p>"Have you ever lost an old friend?" + asked he, abruptly.</p> +<p>"Yes; how so?"</p> +<p>"Then," answered he, while his features + lighted up with a happy inspiration--"then you + will appreciate my situation. I fondly cherished + my old picture of you in my memory. Now I + have lost it, and I cannot help regretting the + loss. I do not mean, however, to imply that + this new acquaintance--this second edition of + yourself, so to speak--will prove less interesting."</p> +<p>She again sent him a grave, questioning look, + and began to gaze intently upon the stone in her bracelet.</p> +<p>"I suppose you will laugh at me," began she, + while a sudden blush flitted over her countenance. + "But this is my first ball, and I feel as + if I had rushed into a whirlpool, from which I + have, since the first rash plunge was made, been + vainly trying to escape. I feel so dreadfully + forlorn. I hardly know anybody here except + my cousin, who invited me, and I hardly think + I know him either."</p> +<p>"Well, since you are irredeemably committed," + replied Ralph, as the music, after some + prefatory flourishes, broke into the delicious + rhythm of a Strauss waltz, "then it is no use + struggling against fate. Come, let us make the + plunge together. Misery loves company."</p> +<p>He offered her his arm, and she arose, + somewhat hesitatingly, and followed.</p> +<p>"I am afraid," she whispered, as they fell + into line with the procession that was moving + down the long hall, "that you have asked me to + dance merely because I said I felt forlorn. If + that is the case, I should prefer to be led back + to my seat."</p> +<p>"What a base imputation!" cried Ralph.</p> +<p>There was something so charmingly na<i:>ive in + this self-depreciation--something so altogether + novel in his experience, and, he could not help + adding, just a little bit countrified. His spirits + rose; he began to relish keenly his position as an + experienced man of the world, and, in the + agreeable glow of patronage and conscious + superiority, chatted with hearty ABANDON with his + little rustic beauty.</p> +<p>"If your dancing is as perfect as your German + exercises were," said she, laughing, as they + swung out upon the floor, "then I promise myself + a good deal of pleasure from our meeting."</p> +<p>"Never fear," answered he, quickly reversing + his step, and whirling with many a capricious + turn away among the thronging couples.</p> +<p>When Ralph drove home in his carriage + toward morning he briefly summed up his + impressions of Bertha in the following adjectives: + intelligent, delightfully unsophisticated, a little + bit verdant, but devilish pretty.</p> +<p>Some weeks later Colonel Grim received an appointment at the fortress of Aggershuus, + and immediately took up his residence in the capital. He saw that his son cut + a fine figure in the highest circles of society, and expressed his gratification + in the most emphatic terms. If he had known, however, that Ralph was in the + habit of visiting, with alarming regularity, at the house of a plebeian merchant + in a somewhat obscure street, he would, no doubt, have been more chary of his + praise. But the Colonel suspected nothing, and it was well for the peace of + the family that he did not. It may have been cowardice in Ralph that he never + mentioned Bertha's name to his family or to his aristocratic acquaintances; + for, to be candid, he himself felt ashamed of the power she exerted over him, + and by turns pitied and ridiculed himself for pursuing so inglorious a conquest. + Nevertheless it wounded his egotism that she never showed any surprise at seeing + him, that she received him with a certain frank unceremoniousness, which, however, + was very becoming to her; that she invariably went on with her work heedless + of his presence, and in everything treated him as if she had been his equal. + She persisted in talking with him in a half sisterly fashion about his studies + and his future career, warned him with great solicitude against some of his + reprobate friends, of whose merry adventures he had told her; and if he ventured + to compliment her on her beauty or her accomplishments, she would look up gravely + from her sewing, or answer him in a way which seemed to banish the idea of love-making + into the land of the impossible. He was constantly tormented by the suspicion + that she secretly disapproved of him, and that from a mere moral interest in + his welfare she was conscientiously laboring to make him a better man. Day after + day he parted from her feeling humiliated, faint-hearted, and secretly indignant + both at himself and her, and day after day he returned only to renew the same + experience. At last it became too intolerable, he could endure it no longer. + Let it make or break, certainty, at all risks, was at least preferable to this + sickening suspense. That he loved her, he could no longer doubt; let his parents + foam and fret as much as they pleased; for once he was going to stand on his + own legs. And in the end, he thought, they would have to yield, for they had + no son but him. </p> +<p>Bertha was going to return to her home on + the sea-coast in a week. Ralph stood in the + little low-ceiled parlor, as she imagined, to bid + her good-bye. They had been speaking of her + father, her brothers, and the farm, and she had + expressed the wish that if he ever should come + to that part of the country he might pay them + a visit. Her words had kindled a vague hope + in his breast, but in their very frankness and + friendly regard there was something which + slew the hope they had begotten. He held her + hand in his, and her large confiding eyes shone + with an emotion which was beautiful, but was + yet not love.</p> +<p>"If you were but a peasant born like myself," + said she, in a voice which sounded almost tender, + "then I should like to talk to you as I would to + my own brother; but--"</p> +<p>"No, not brother, Bertha," cried he, with + sudden vehemence; "I love you better than I ever + loved any earthly being, and if you knew how + firmly this love has clutched at the roots of my + heart, you would perhaps--you would at least + not look so reproachfully at me."</p> +<p>She dropped his hand, and stood for a moment silent.</p> +<p>"I am sorry that it should have come to this, + Mr. Grim," said she, visibly struggling for + calmness. "And I am perhaps more to blame + than you."</p> +<p>"Blame," muttered he, "why are you to blame?"</p> +<p>"Because I do not love you; although I sometimes + feared that this might come. But then again + I persuaded myself that it could not be so."</p> +<p>He took a step toward the door, laid his hand + on the knob, and gazed down before him.</p> +<p>"Bertha," began he, slowly, raising his head, + "you have always disapproved of me, you have + despised me in your heart, but you thought you + would be doing a good work if you succeeded + in making a man of me."</p> +<p>"You use strong language," answered she, + hesitatingly; "but there is truth in what you + say."</p> +<p>Again there was a long pause, in which the + ticking of the old parlor clock grew louder and + louder.</p> +<p>"Then," he broke out at last, "tell me before + we part if I can do nothing to gain--I will not + say your love--but only your regard? What + would you do if you were in my place?"</p> +<p>"My advice you will hardly heed, and I do + not even know that it would be well if you did. + But if I were a man in your position, I should + break with my whole past, start out into the + world where nobody knew me, and where I + should be dependent only upon my own strength, + and there I would conquer a place for myself, + if it were only for the satisfaction of knowing + that I was really a man. Here cushions are + sewed under your arms, a hundred invisible + threads bind you to a life of idleness and + vanity, everybody is ready to carry you on his + hands, the road is smoothed for you, every stone + carefully moved out of your path, and you will + probably go to your grave without having ever + harbored one earnest thought, without having + done one manly deed."</p> +<p>Ralph stood transfixed, gazing at her with + open mouth; he felt a kind of stupid fright, as + if some one had suddenly seized him by the + shoulders and shaken him violently. He tried + vainly to remove his eyes from Bertha. She + held him as by a powerful spell. He saw that + her face was lighted with an altogether new + beauty; he noticed the deep glow upon her + cheek, the brilliancy of her eye, the slight + quiver of her lip. But he saw all this as one + sees things in a half-trance, without attempting + to account for them; the door between his soul + and his senses was closed.</p> +<p>"I know that I have been bold in speaking to + you in this way," she said at last, seating + herself in a chair at the window. "But it was + yourself who asked me. And I have felt all the + time that I should have to tell you this before + we parted."</p> +<p>"And," answered he, making a strong effort + to appear calm, "if I follow your advice, will + you allow me to see you once more before you + go?"</p> +<p>"I shall remain here another week, and shall, + during that time, always be ready to receive you."</p> +<p>"Thank you. Good-bye."</p> +<p>"Good-bye."</p> +<p>Ralph carefully avoided all the fashionable + thoroughfares; he felt degraded before himself, + and he had an idea that every man could read + his humiliation in his countenance. Now he + walked on quickly, striking the sidewalk with + his heels; now, again, he fell into an uneasy, + reckless saunter, according as the changing + moods inspired defiance of his sentence, or a + qualified surrender. And, as he walked on, the + bitterness grew within him, and he pitilessly + reviled himself for having allowed himself to be + made a fool of by "that little country goose," + when he was well aware that there were hundreds + of women of the best families of the land + who would feel honored at receiving his attentions. + But this sort of reasoning he knew to he + both weak and contemptible, and his better + self soon rose in loud rebellion.</p> +<p>"After all," he muttered, "in the main thing + she was right. I am a miserable good-for- + nothing, a hot-house plant, a poor stick, and if I + were a woman myself, I don't think I should + waste my affections on a man of that calibre."</p> +<p>Then he unconsciously fell to analyzing + Bertha's character, wondering vaguely that a + person who moved so timidly in social life, + appearing so diffident, from an ever-present fear + of blundering against the established forms of + etiquette, could judge so quickly, and with such + a merciless certainty, whenever a moral question, + a question of right and wrong, was at issue. + And, pursuing the same train of thought, he + contrasted her with himself, who moved in the + highest spheres of society as in his native + element, heedless of moral scruples, and conscious + of no loftier motive for his actions than the + immediate pleasure of the moment.</p> +<p>As Ralph turned the corner of a street, he + heard himself hailed from the other sidewalk by + a chorus of merry voices.</p> +<p>"Ah, my dear Baroness," cried a young man, + springing across the street and grasping Ralph's + hand (all his student friends called him the + Baroness), "in the name of this illustrious + company, allow me to salute you. But why the + deuce--what is the matter with you? If you + have the Katzenjammer,[7] soda-water is the + thing. Come along,--it's my treat!"</p> +<p> + [7] Katzenjammer is the sensation a man has + the morning after a carousal.</p> +<p> + The students instantly thronged around + Ralph, who stood distractedly swinging his cane + and smiling idiotically.</p> +<p>"I am not quite well," said he; "leave me + alone."</p> +<p>"No, to be sure, you don't look well," cried a + jolly youth, against whom Bertha had + frequently warned him; "but a glass of sherry + will soon restore you. It would be highly + immoral to leave you in this condition without + taking care of you."</p> +<p>Ralph again vainly tried to remonstrate; but + the end was, that he reluctantly followed.</p> +<p>He had always been a conspicuous figure in + the student world; but that night he astonished + his friends by his eloquence, his reckless humor, + and his capacity for drinking. He made a + speech for "Woman," which bristled with wit, + cynicism, and sarcastic epigrams. One young + man, named Vinter, who was engaged, undertook + to protest against his sweeping condemnation, + and declared that Ralph, who was a Universal + favorite among the ladies, ought to be + the last to revile them.</p> +<p>"If," he went on, "the Baroness should propose + to six well-known ladies here in this city + whom I could mention, I would wager six + Johannisbergers, and an equal amount of + champagne, that every one of them would accept + him."</p> +<p>The others loudly applauded this proposal, + and Ralph accepted the wager. The letters were + written on the spot, and immediately dispatched. + Toward morning, the merry carousal broke up, + and Ralph was conducted in triumph to his + home.</p> +<p> + III.</p> +<p> + Two days later, Ralph again knocked on + Bertha's door. He looked paler than usual, + almost haggard; his immaculate linen was a little + crumpled, and he carried no cane; his lips were + tightly compressed, and his face wore an air of + desperate resolution.</p> +<p>"It is done," he said, as he seated himself + opposite her. "I am going."</p> +<p>"Going!" cried she, startled at his unusual + appearance. "How, where?"</p> +<p>"To America. I sail to-night. I have followed + your advice, you see. I have cut off the + last bridge behind me."</p> +<p>"But, Ralph," she exclaimed, in a voice of + alarm. "Something dreadful must have happened. + Tell me quick; I must know it."</p> +<p>"No; nothing dreadful," muttered he, smiling + bitterly. "I have made a little scandal, that is + all. My father told me to-day to go to the + devil, if I chose, and my mother gave me five + hundred dollars to help me along on the way. + If you wish to know, here is the explanation."</p> +<p>And he pulled from his pocket six perfumed + and carefully folded notes, and threw them into + her lap.</p> +<p>"Do you wish me to read them?" she asked, + with growing surprise.</p> +<p>"Certainly. Why not?"</p> +<p>She hastily opened one note after the other, + and read.</p> +<p>"But, Ralph," she cried, springing up from + her seat, while her eyes flamed with indignation, + "what does this mean? What have you + done?"</p> +<p>"I didn't think it needed any explanation," + replied he, with feigned indifference. "I + proposed to them all, and, you see, they all + accepted me. I received all these letters to-day. + I only wished to know whether the whole world + regarded me as such a worthless scamp as you + told me I was."</p> +<p>She did not answer, but sat mutely staring at + him, fiercely crumpling a rose-colored note in + her hand. He began to feel uncomfortable under + her gaze, and threw himself about uneasily + in his chair.</p> +<p>"Well," said he, at length, rising, "I suppose + there is nothing more. Good-bye."</p> +<p>"One moment, Mr. Grim," demanded she, + sternly. "Since I have already said so much, + and you have obligingly revealed to me a new + side of your character, I claim the right to + correct the opinion I expressed of you at our last + meeting."</p> +<p>"I am all attention."</p> +<p>"I did think, Mr. Grim," began she, breathing + hard, and steadying herself against the + table at which she stood, "that you were a + very selfish man--an embodiment of selfishness, + absolute and supreme, but I did not believe that + you were wicked."</p> +<p>"And what convinced you that I was selfish, + if I may ask?"</p> +<p>"What convinced me?" repeated she, in a + tone of inexpressible contempt. "When did + you ever act from any generous regard for + others? What good did you ever do to anybody?"</p> +<p>"You might ask, with equal justice, + what good I ever did to myself."</p> +<p>"In a certain sense, yes; because to gratify + a mere momentary wish is hardly doing one's + self good."</p> +<p>"Then I have, at all events, followed the + Biblical precept, and treated my neighbor very + much as I treat myself."</p> +<p>"I did think," continued Bertha, without + heeding the remark, "that you were at bottom + kind-hearted, but too hopelessly well-bred ever + to commit an act of any decided complexion, + either good or bad. Now I see that I have + misjudged you, and that you are capable of + outraging the most sacred feelings of a woman's + heart in mere wantonness, or for the sake of + satisfying a base curiosity, which never could + have entered the mind of an upright and generous man."</p> +<p>The hard, benumbed look in Ralph's face + thawed in the warmth of her presence, and her + words, though stern, touched a secret spring in + his heart. He made two or three vain attempts + to speak, then suddenly broke down, and cried:</p> +<p>"Bertha, Bertha, even if you scorn me, have + patience with me, and listen."</p> +<p>And he told her, in rapid, broken sentences, + how his love for her had grown from day to + day, until he could no longer master it; and + how, in an unguarded moment, when his pride + rose in fierce conflict against his love, he had + done this reckless deed of which he was now + heartily ashamed. The fervor of his words + touched her, for she felt that they were sincere. + Large mute tears trembled in her eyelashes as + she sat gazing tenderly at him, and in the depth + of her soul the wish awoke that she might have + been able to return this great and strong love + of his; for she felt that in this love lay the germ + of a new, of a stronger and better man. She + noticed, with a half-regretful pleasure, his + handsome figure, his delicately shaped hands, and the + noble cast of his features; an overwhelming + pity for him rose within her, and she began to + reproach herself for having spoken so harshly, + and, as she now thought, so unjustly. Perhaps + he read in her eyes the unspoken wish. He + seized her hand, and his words fell with a warm + and alluring cadence upon her ear.</p> +<p>"I shall not see you for a long time to come, + Bertha," said he, "but if, at the end of five or + six years your hand is still free, and I return + another man--a man to whom you could safely + intrust your happiness--would you then listen + to what I may have to say to you? For I promise, + by all that we both hold sacred--"</p> +<p>"No, no," interrupted she, hastily. "Promise + nothing. It would be unjust to--yourself, and + perhaps also to me; for a sacred promise is a + terrible thing, Ralph. Let us both remain free; + and, if you return and still love me, then come, + and I shall receive you and listen to you. And + even if you have outgrown your love, which is, + indeed, more probable, come still to visit me + wherever I may be, and we shall meet as friends + and rejoice in the meeting."</p> +<p>"You know best," he murmured. "Let it be + as you have said."</p> +<p>He arose, took her face between his hands, + gazed long and tenderly into her eyes, pressed + a kiss upon her forehead, and hastened away.</p> +<p>That night Ralph boarded the steamer for Hull, + and three weeks later landed in New York.</p> +<p> + IV.</p> +<p> The first three months of Ralph's sojourn in America were spent in vain attempts + to obtain a situation. Day after day he walked down Broadway, calling at various + places of business and night after night he returned to his cheer- less room + with a faint heart and declining spirits. It was, after all, a more serious + thing than he had imagined, to cut the cable which binds one to the land of + one's birth. There a hundred subtile influences, the existence of which no one + suspects until the moment they are withdrawn, unite to keep one in the straight + path of rectitude, or at least of external respectability; and Ralph's life + had been all in society; the opinion of his fellow-men had been the one force + to which he implicitly deferred, and the conscience by which he had been wont + to test his actions had been nothing but the aggregate judgment of his friends. + To such a man the isolation and the utter irresponsibility of a life among strangers + was tenfold more dangerous; and Ralph found, to his horror, that his character + contained innumerable latent possibilities which the easy- going life in his + home probably never would have revealed to him. It often cut him to the quick, + when, on entering an office in his daily search for employment, he was met by + hostile or suspicious glances, or when, as it occasionally happened, the door + was slammed in his face, as if he were a vagabond or an impostor. Then the wolf + was often roused within him, and he felt a momentary wild desire to become what + the people here evidently believed him to be. Many a night he sauntered irresolutely + about the gambling places in obscure streets, and the glare of light, the rude + shouts and clamors in the same moment repelled and attracted him. If he went + to the devil, who would care? His father had himself pointed out the way to + him; and nobody could blame him if he followed the advice. But then again a + memory emerged from that chamber of his soul which still he held sacred; and + Bertha's deep-blue eyes gazed upon him with their earnest look of tender warning + and regret. </p> +<p>When the summer was half gone, Ralph had + gained many a hard victory over himself, and + learned many a useful lesson; and at length he + swallowed his pride, divested himself of his + fine clothes, and accepted a position as assistant + gardener at a villa on the Hudson. And as he + stood perspiring with a spade in his hand, and + a cheap broad-brimmed straw hat on his head, + he often took a grim pleasure in picturing to + himself how his aristocratic friends at home + would receive him, if he should introduce himself + to them in this new costume.</p> +<p>"After all, it was only my position they + cared for," he reflected, bitterly; "without my + father's name what would I be to them?"</p> +<p>Then, again, there was a certain satisfaction + in knowing that, for his present situation, humble + as it was, he was indebted to nobody but + himself; and the thought that Bertha's eyes, if + they could have seen him now would have dwelt + upon him with pleasure and approbation, went + far to console him for his aching back, his + sunburned face, and his swollen and blistered hands.</p> +<p>One day, as Ralph was raking the gravel- + walks in the garden, his employer's daughter, a + young lady of seventeen, came out and spoke + to him. His culture and refinement of manner + struck her with wonder, and she asked him to + tell her his history; but then he suddenly grew + very grave, and she forbore pressing him. From + that time she attached a kind of romantic interest + to him, and finally induced her father to obtain + him a situation that would be more to his + taste. And, before winter came, Ralph saw the + dawn of a new future glimmering before him. + He had wrestled bravely with fate, and had + once more gained a victory. He began the + career in which success and distinction awaited + him, as proof-reader on a newspaper in the city. + He had fortunately been familiar with the English + language before he left home, and by the + strength of his will he conquered all difficulties. + At the end of two years he became attached to + the editorial staff; new ambitious hopes, hitherto + foreign to his mind, awoke within him; + and with joyous tumult of heart he saw life + opening its wide vistas before him, and he + labored on manfully to repair the losses of the + past, and to prepare himself for greater usefulness + in times to come. He felt in himself a + stronger and fuller manhood, as if the great + arteries of the vast universal world-life pulsed in + his own being. The drowsy, indolent existence + at home appeared like a dull remote dream from + which he had awaked, and he blessed the destiny + which, by its very sternness, had mercifully + saved him; he blessed her, too, who, from the + very want of love for him, had, perhaps, made + him worthier of love.</p> +<p>The years flew rapidly. Society had flung its + doors open to him, and what was more, he had + found some warm friends, in whose houses he + could come and go at pleasure. He enjoyed + keenly the privilege of daily association with + high-minded and refined women; their eager + activity of intellect stimulated him, their + exquisite ethereal grace and their delicately chiseled + beauty satisfied his aesthetic cravings, and the + responsive vivacity of their nature prepared him + ever new surprises. He felt a strange fascination + in the presence of these women, and the + conviction grew upon him that their type of + womanhood was superior to any he had hitherto + known. And by way of refuting his own + argument, he would draw from his pocket-book + the photograph of Bertha, which had a secret + compartment there all to itself, and, gazing + tenderly at it, would eagerly defend her against the + disparaging reflections which the involuntary + comparison had provoked. And still, how could + he help seeing that her features, though well + molded, lacked animation; that her eye, with + its deep, trustful glance, was not brilliant, and + that the calm earnestness of her face, when + compared with the bright, intellectual beauty of his + present friends, appeared pale and simple, like + a violet in a bouquet of vividly colored roses? + It gave him a quick pang, when, at times, + he was forced to admit this; nevertheless, + it was the truth.</p> +<p>After six years of residence in America, + Ralph had gained a very high reputation as a + journalist of rare culture and ability, and, in + 1867 he was sent to the World's Exhibition in + Paris, as correspondent of the paper on which + he had during all these years been employed. + What wonder, then, that he started for Europe + a few weeks before his presence was needed in + the imperial city, and that he steered his course + directly toward the fjord valley where Bertha + had her home? It was she who had bidden him + Godspeed when he fled from the land of his + birth, and she, too, should receive his first + greeting on his return.</p> +<p> + V.</p> +<p> + The sun had fortified itself behind a citadel + of flaming clouds, and the upper forest region + shone with a strange ethereal glow, while the + lower plains were wrapped in shadow; but the + shadow itself had a strong suffusion of color. + The mountain peaks rose cold and blue in the distance.</p> +<p>Ralph, having inquired his way of the + boatman who had landed him at the pier, walked + rapidly along the beach, with a small valise in + his hand, and a light summer overcoat flung + over his shoulder. Many half-thoughts grazed + his mind, and ere the first had taken shape, the + second, and the third came and chased it away. + And still they all in some fashion had reference + to Bertha; for in a misty, abstract way, she + filled his whole mind; but for some indefinable + reason, he was afraid to give free rein to the + sentiment which lurked in the remoter corners + of his soul.</p> +<p>Onward he hastened, while his heart throbbed + with the quickening tempo of mingled expectation + and fear. Now and then one of those chill + gusts of air which seem to be careering about + aimlessly in the atmosphere during early summer, + would strike into his face, and recall him + to a keener self-consciousness.</p> +<p>Ralph concluded, from his increasing agitation, + that he must be very near Bertha's home. + He stopped and looked around him. He saw a + large maple at the roadside, some thirty steps + from where he was standing, and the girl who + was sitting under it, resting her head in her + hand and gazing out over the sea, he recognized + in an instant to be Bertha. He sprang up on the + road, not crossing, however, her line of vision, + and approached her noiselessly from behind.</p> +<p>"Bertha," he whispered.</p> +<p>She gave a little joyous cry, sprang up, and + made a gesture as if to throw herself in his arms; + then suddenly checked herself, blushed crimson, + and moved a step backward.</p> +<p>"You came so suddenly," she murmured.</p> +<p>"But, Bertha," cried he (and the full bass of + his voice rang through her very soul), "have I + gone into exile and waited these many years for + so cold a welcome?"</p> +<p>"You have changed so much, Ralph," she + answered, with that old grave smile which he + knew so well, and stretched out both her hands + toward him. "And I have thought of you so + much since you went away, and blamed myself + because I had judged you so harshly, and wondered + that you could listen to me so patiently, + and never bear me any malice for what I said."</p> +<p>"If you had said a word less," declared Ralph, + seating himself at her side on the greensward, + "or if you had varnished it over with politeness, + then you would probably have failed to produce + any effect and I should not have been burdened + with that heavy debt of gratitude which + I now owe you. I was a pretty thick-skinned + animal in those days, Bertha. You said the + right word at the right moment; you gave me + a hold and a good piece of advice, which my + own ingenuity would never have suggested to + me. I will not thank you, because, in so grave + a case as this, spoken thanks sound like a mere + mockery. Whatever I am, Bertha, and whatever + I may hope to be, I owe it all to that hour."</p> +<p>She listened with rapture to the manly assurance + of his voice; her eyes dwelt with unspeakable + joy upon his strong, bronzed features, his + full thick blonde beard, and the vigorous + proportions of his frame. Many and many a time + during his absence had she wondered how he + would look if he ever came back, and with that + minute conscientiousness which, as it were, + pervaded her whole character, she had held herself + responsible before God for his fate, prayed for + him, and trembled lest evil powers should gain + the ascendency over his soul.</p> +<p>On their way to the house they talked together + of many things, but in a guarded, cautious fashion, + and without the cheerful abandonment of + former years. They both, as it were, groped their + way carefully in each other's minds, and each + vaguely felt that there was something in the + other's thought which it was not well to touch + unbidden. Bertha saw that all her fears for + him had been groundless, and his very appearance + lifted the whole weight of responsibility + from her breast; and still, did she rejoice at her + deliverance from her burden? Ah, no, in this + moment she knew that that which she had foolishly + cherished as the best and noblest part of + herself, had been but a selfish need of her own + heart. She feared that she had only taken that + interest in him which one feels in a thing of + one's own making; and now, when she saw that + he had risen quite above her; that he was free + and strong, and could have no more need of her, + she had, instead of generous pleasure at his + success, but a painful sense of emptiness, as if + something very dear had been taken from her.</p> +<p>Ralph, too, was loath to analyze the impression + his old love made upon him. His feelings + were of so complex a nature, he was anxious to + keep his more magnanimous impulses active, and + he strove hard to convince himself that she was + still the same to him as she had been before they + had ever parted. But, alas! though the heart + be warm and generous, the eye is a merciless + critic. And the man who had moved on the + wide arena of the world, whose mind had housed + the large thoughts of this century, and expanded + with its invigorating breath,--was he to blame + because he had unconsciously outgrown his old + provincial self, and could no more judge by its + standards?</p> +<p>Bertha's father was a peasant, but he had, + by his lumber trade, acquired what in Norway + was called a very handsome fortune. He received + his guest with dignified reserve, and + Ralph thought he detected in his eyes a lurking + look of distrust. "I know your errand," that + look seemed to say, "but you had better give it + up at once. It will be of no use for you to try."</p> +<p>And after supper, as Ralph and Bertha sat + talking confidingly with each other at the window, + he sent his daughter a quick, sharp glance, + and then, without ceremony, commanded her to + go to bed. Ralph's heart gave a great thump + within him; not because he feared the old man, + but because his words, as well as his glances, + revealed to him the sad history of these long, + patient years. He doubted no longer that the + love which he had once so ardently desired was + his at last; and he made a silent vow that, + come what might, he would remain faithful.</p> +<p>As he came down to breakfast the next + morning, he found Bertha sitting at the window, + engaged in hemming what appeared to be a + rough kitchen towel. She bent eagerly over + her work, and only a vivid flush upon her cheek + told him that she had noticed his coming. He + took a chair, seated himself opposite her, and + bade her "good-morning." She raised her head, + and showed him a sweet, troubled countenance, + which the early sunlight illumined with a high + spiritual beauty. It reminded him forcibly of + those pale, sweet-faced saints of Fra Angelico, + with whom the frail flesh seems ever on the + point of yielding to the ardent aspirations of + the spirit. And still, even in this moment he + could not prevent his eyes from observing that + one side of her forefinger was rough from sewing, + and that the whiteness of her arm, which + the loose sleeves displayed, contrasted strongly + with the browned and sun-burned complexion of + her hands.</p> +<p>After breakfast they again walked together + on the beach, and Ralph, having once formed + his resolution, now talked freely of the New + World--of his sphere of activity there; of his + friends and of his plans for the future; and she + listened to him with a mild, perplexed look in + her eyes, as if trying vainly to follow the flight + of his thoughts. And he wondered, with secret + dismay, whether she was still the same strong, + brave-hearted girl whom he had once accounted + almost bold; whether the life in this narrow + valley, amid a hundred petty and depressing + cares, had not cramped her spiritual growth, + and narrowed the sphere of her thought. Or + was she still the same, and was it only he who + had changed? At last he gave utterance to his + wonder, and she answered him in those grave, + earnest tones which seemed in themselves to be + half a refutation of his doubts.</p> +<p>"It was easy for me to give you daring + advice, then, Ralph," she said. "Like most school- + girls, I thought that life was a great and glorious + thing, and that happiness was a fruit which + hung within reach of every hand. Now I have + lived for six years trying single-handed to + relieve the want and suffering of the needy people + with whom I come in contact, and their squalor + and wretchedness have sickened me, and, what + is still worse, I feel that all I can do is as a drop + in the ocean, and after all, amounts to nothing. + I know I am no longer the same reckless girl, + who, with the very best intention, sent you + wandering through the wide world; and I thank + God that it proved to be for your good, + although the whole now appears quite incredible + to me. My thoughts have moved so long within + the narrow circle of these mountains that they + have lost their youthful elasticity, and can no + more rise above them."</p> +<p>Ralph detected, in the midst of her despondency, + a spark of her former fire, and grew eloquent + in his endeavors to persuade her that she + was unjust to herself, and that there was but a + wider sphere of life needed to develop all the + latent powers of her rich nature.</p> +<p>At the dinner-table, her father again sat eyeing + his guest with that same cold look of distrust + and suspicion. And when the meal was + at an end, he rose abruptly and called his + daughter into another room. Presently Ralph + heard his angry voice resounding through the + house, interrupted now and then by a woman's + sobs, and a subdued, passionate pleading. When + Bertha again entered the room, her eyes were + very red, and he saw that she had been weeping. + She threw a shawl over her shoulders, + beckoned to him with her hand, and he arose + and followed her. She led the way silently + until they reached a thick copse of birch and + alder near the strand. She dropped down upon + a bench between two trees, and he took his seat + at her side.</p> +<p>"Ralph," began she, with a visible effort, "I + hardly know what to say to you; but there is + something which I must tell you--my father + wishes you to leave us at once."</p> +<p>"And YOU, Bertha?"</p> +<p>"Well--yes--I wish it too."</p> +<p>She saw the painful shock which her words + gave him, and she strove hard to speak. Her + lips trembled, her eyes became suffused with + tears, which grew and grew, but never fell; she + could not utter a word.</p> +<p>"Well, Bertha," answered he, with a little + quiver in his voice, "if you, too, wish me to go, + I shall not tarry. Good-bye."</p> +<p>He rose quickly, and, with averted face, held + out his hand to her; but as she made no motion + to grasp the hand, he began distractedly to + button his coat, and moved slowly away.</p> +<p>"Ralph."</p> +<p>He turned sharply, and, before he knew it, + she lay sobbing upon his breast.</p> +<p>"Ralph," she murmured, while the tears + almost choked her words, "I could not have you + leave me thus. It is hard enough--it is hard + enough--"</p> +<p>"What is hard, beloved?"</p> +<p>She raised her head abruptly, and turned + upon him a gaze full of hope and doubt, and + sweet perplexity.</p> +<p>"Ah, no, you do not love me," she whispered, + sadly.</p> +<p>"Why should I come to seek you, after these + many years, dearest, if I did not wish to make + you my wife before God and men? Why + should I--"</p> +<p>"Ah, yes, I know," she interrupted him with + a fresh fit of weeping, "you are too good and + honest to wish to throw me away, now when + you have seen how my soul has hungered for + the sight of you these many years, how even + now I cling to you with a despairing clutch. + But you cannot disguise yourself, Ralph, and I + saw from the first moment that you loved me + no more."</p> +<p>"Do not be such an unreasonable child," he + remonstrated, feebly. "I do not love you with + the wild, irrational passion of former years; + but I have the tenderest regard for you, and + my heart warms at the sight of your sweet + face, and I shall do all in my power to make + you as happy as any man can make you who--"</p> +<p>"Who does not love me," she finished.</p> +<p>A sudden shudder seemed to shake her whole frame, + and she drew herself more tightly up to him.</p> +<p>"Ah, no," she continued, after a while, sinking back upon her seat. + "It is a hopeless thing to compel a reluctant heart. I will accept no sacrifice + from you. You owe me nothing, for you have acted toward me honestly and uprightly, + and I shall be a stronger, or--at least-- a better woman for what you gave me--and-- + for what you could not give me, even though you would." </p> +<p>"But, Bertha," exclaimed he, looking mournfully + at her, "it is not true when you say that I + owe you nothing. Six years ago, when first I + wooed you, you could not return my love, and + you sent me out into the world, and even refused + to accept any pledge or promise for the future."</p> +<p>"And you returned," she responded, "a man, + such as my hope had pictured you; but, while I + had almost been standing still, you had outgrown + me, and outgrown your old self, and, + with your old self, outgrown its love for me, + for your love was not of your new self, but of + the old. Alas! it is a sad tale, but it is true."</p> +<p>She spoke gravely now, and with a steadier + voice, but her eyes hung upon his face with an + eager look of expectation, as if yearning to detect + there some gleam of hope, some contradiction + of the dismal truth. He read that look + aright, and it pierced him like a sharp sword. + He made a brave effort to respond to its appeal, + but his features seemed hard as stone, and he + could only cry out against his destiny, and + bewail his misfortune and hers.</p> +<p>Toward evening, Ralph was sitting in an + open boat, listening to the measured oar-strokes + of the boatmen who were rowing him out to the + nearest stopping-place of the steamer. The + mountains lifted their great placid heads up + among the sun-bathed clouds, and the fjord + opened its cool depths as if to make room for + their vast reflections. Ralph felt as if he were + floating in the midst of the blue infinite space, + and, with the strength which this feeling + inspired, he tried to face boldly the thought from + which he had but a moment ago shrunk as from + something hopelessly sad and perplexing.</p> +<p>And in that hour he looked fearlessly into the + gulf which separates the New World from the + Old. He had hoped to bridge it; but, alas! it + cannot be bridged.</p> +<p></p> +<p>A SCIENTIFIC VAGABOND.</p> +<p>I.</p> +<p>THE steamer which as far back as 1860 + passed every week on its northward + way up along the coast of Norway, + was of a very sociable turn of mind. It + ran with much shrieking and needless bluster in + and out the calm, winding fjords, paid unceremonious + little visits in every out-of-the-way nook + and bay, dropped now and then a black heap of + coal into the shining water, and sent thick volleys + of smoke and shrill little echoes careering + aimlessly among the mountains. It seemed, on + the whole, from an aesthetic point of view, an + objectionable phenomenon--a blot upon the perfect + summer day. By the inhabitants, however, + of these remote regions (with the exception + of a few obstinate individuals, who had at + first looked upon it as the sure herald of dooms- + day, and still were vaguely wondering what the + world was coming to,) it was regarded in a + very different light. This choleric little monster + was to them a friendly and welcome visitor, + which established their connection with the outside + world, and gave them a proud consciousness + of living in the very heart of civilization. + Therefore, on steamboat days they flocked en + masse down on the piers, and, with an ever-fresh + sense of novelty, greeted the approaching boat + with lively cheers, with firing of muskets and + waving of handkerchiefs. The men of condition, + as the judge, the sheriff, and the parson, + whose dignity forbade them to receive the + steamer in person, contented themselves with + watching it through an opera-glass from their + balconies; and if a high official was known to be + on board, they perhaps displayed the national + banner from their flag-poles, as a delicate + compliment to their superior.</p> +<p>But the Rev. Mr. Oddson, the parson of whom + I have to speak, had this day yielded to the + gentle urgings of his daughters (as, indeed, he + always did), and had with them boarded the + steamer to receive his nephew, Arnfinn Vording, + who was returning from the university for his + summer vacation. And now they had him + between them in their pretty white-painted par- + sonage boat, with the blue line along the + gunwale, beleaguering him with eager questions + about friends and relatives in the capital, chums, + university sports, and a medley of other things + interesting to young ladies who have a collegian + for a cousin. His uncle was charitable enough + to check his own curiosity about the nephew's + progress in the arts and sciences, and the result + of his recent examinations, till he should have + become fairly settled under his roof; and Arnfinn, + who, in spite of his natural brightness and + ready humor, was anything but a "dig," was + grateful for the respite.</p> +<p>The parsonage lay snugly nestled at the end + of the bay, shining contentedly through the + green foliage from a multitude of small sun- + smitten windows. Its pinkish whitewash, which + was peeling off from long exposure to the + weather, was in cheerful contrast to the broad + black surface of the roof, with its glazed tiles, + and the starlings' nests under the chimney-tops. + The thick-leaved maples and walnut-trees which + grew in random clusters about the walls seemed + loftily conscious of standing there for purposes + of protection; for, wherever their long-fingered + branches happened to graze the roof, it was + always with a touch, light, graceful, and airily + caressing. The irregularly paved yard was + inclosed on two sides by the main building, and on + the third by a species of log cabin, which, in + Norway, is called a brew-house; but toward the + west the view was but slightly obscured by an + elevated pigeon cot and a clump of birches, + through whose sparse leaves the fjord beneath + sent its rapid jets and gleams of light, and its + strange suggestions of distance, peace and + unaccountable gladness.</p> +<p>Arnfinn Vording's career had presented that + subtle combination of farce and tragedy which + most human lives are apt to be; and if the tragic + element had during his early years been preponderating, + he was hardly himself aware of it; for + he had been too young at the death of his + parents to feel that keenness of grief which the + same privation would have given him at a later + period of his life. It might have been humiliating + to confess it, but it was nevertheless true + that the terror he had once sustained on being + pursued by a furious bull was much more vivid + in his memory than the vague wonder and + depression which had filled his mind at seeing his + mother so suddenly stricken with age, as she lay + motionless in her white robes in the front parlor. + Since then his uncle, who was his guardian and + nearest relative, had taken him into his family, + had instructed him with his own daughters, and + finally sent him to the University, leaving the little + fortune which he had inherited to accumulate + for future use. Arnfinn had a painfully distinct + recollection of his early hardships in trying to + acquire that soft pronunciation of the r which is + peculiar to the western fjord districts of Norway, + and which he admired so much in his + cousins; for the merry-eyed Inga, who was less + scrupulous by a good deal than her older sister, + Augusta, had from the beginning persisted in + interpreting their relation of cousinship as an + unbounded privilege on her part to ridicule him + for his personal peculiarities, and especially for + his harsh r and his broad eastern accent. Her + ridicule was always very good-natured, to be + sure, but therefore no less annoying.</p> +<p>But--such is the perverseness of human nature-- + in spite of a series of apparent rebuffs, + interrupted now and then by fits of violent + attachment, Arnfinn had early selected this dimpled + and yellow-haired young girl, with her piquant + little nose, for his favorite cousin. It was the + prospect of seeing her which, above all else, + had lent, in anticipation, an altogether new + radiance to the day when he should present him- + self in his home with the long-tasseled student + cap on his head, the unnecessary "pinchers" on + his nose, and with the other traditional + paraphernalia of the Norwegian student. That + great day had now come; Arnfinn sat at Inga's + side playing with her white fingers, which lay + resting on his knee, and covering the depth of + his feeling with harmless banter about her + "amusingly unclassical little nose." He had + once detected her, when a child, standing before + a mirror, and pinching this unhappy feature in + the middle, in the hope of making it "like + Augusta's;" and since then he had no longer felt + so utterly defenseless whenever his own foibles + were attacked.</p> +<p>"But what of your friend, Arnfinn?" exclaimed + Inga, as she ran up the stairs of the + pier. "He of whom you have written so much. + I have been busy all the morning making the + blue guest-chamber ready for him."</p> +<p>"Please, cousin," answered the student, in a + tone of mock entreaty, "only an hour's respite! + If we are to talk about Strand we must make a + day of it, you know. And just now it seems so + grand to be at home, and with you, that I + would rather not admit even so genial a subject + as Strand to share my selfish happiness."</p> +<p>"Ah, yes, you are right. Happiness is too + often selfish. But tell me only why he didn't + come and I'll release you."</p> +<p>"He IS coming."</p> +<p>"Ah! And when?"</p> +<p>"That I don't know. He preferred to take + the journey on foot, and he may be here at + almost any time. But, as I have told you, he is + very uncertain. If he should happen to make + the acquaintance of some interesting snipe, or + crane, or plover, he may prefer its company to + ours, and then there is no counting on him any + longer. He may be as likely to turn up at the + North Pole as at the Gran Parsonage."</p> +<p>"How very singular. You don't know how + curious I am to see him."</p> +<p>And Inga walked on in silence under the + sunny birches which grew along the road, trying + vainly to picture to herself this strange + phenomenon of a man.</p> +<p>"I brought his book," remarked Arnfinn, + making a gigantic effort to be generous, for he + felt dim stirrings of jealousy within him. "If + you care to read it, I think it will explain him + to you better than anything I could say."</p> +<p></p> +<p>II.</p> +<p> + The Oddsons were certainly a happy family + though not by any means a harmonious one. + The excellent pastor, who was himself neutrally + good, orthodox, and kind-hearted, had often, in + the privacy of his own thought, wondered what + hidden ancestral influences there might have + been at work in giving a man so peaceable and + inoffensive as himself two daughters of such + strongly defined individuality. There was + Augusta, the elder, who was what Arnfinn called + "indiscriminately reformatory," and had a + universal desire to improve everything, from the + Government down to agricultural implements + and preserve jars. As long as she was content + to expend the surplus energy, which seemed to + accumulate within her through the long eventless + winters, upon the Zulu Mission, and other + legitimate objects, the pastor thought it all + harmless enough; although, to be sure, her + enthusiasm for those naked and howling savages + did at times strike him as being somewhat + extravagant. But when occasionally, in her own + innocent way, she put both his patience and his + orthodoxy to the test by her exceedingly puzzling + questions, then he could not, in the depth + of his heart, restrain the wish that she might + have been more like other young girls, and less + ardently solicitous about the fate of her kind. + Affectionate and indulgent, however, as the pastor + was, he would often, in the next moment, do + penance for his unregenerate thought, and thank + God for having made her so fair to behold, so + pure, and so noble-hearted.</p> +<p>Toward Arnfinn, Augusta had, although of + his own age, early assumed a kind of elder-sisterly + relation; she had been his comforter during + all the trials of his boyhood; had yielded + him her sympathy with that eager impulse which + lay so deep in her nature, and had felt forlorn + when life had called him away to where her + words of comfort could not reach him. But + when once she had hinted this to her father, he + had pedantically convinced her that her feeling + was unchristian, and Inga had playfully remarked + that the hope that some one might soon + find the open Polar Sea would go far toward + consoling her for her loss; for Augusta had + glorious visions at that time of the open Polar Sea. + Now, the Polar Sea, and many other things, far + nearer and dearer, had been forced into uneasy + forgetfulness; and Arnfinn was once more with + her, no longer a child, and no longer appealing + to her for aid and sympathy; man enough, ap- + parently, to have outgrown his boyish needs + and still boy enough to be ashamed of having + ever had them.</p> +<p>It was the third Sunday after Arnfinn's + return. He and Augusta were climbing the hillside + to the "Giant's Hood," from whence they + had a wide view of the fjord, and could see the + sun trailing its long bridge of flame upon the + water. It was Inga's week in the kitchen, + therefore her sister was Arnfinn's companion. + As they reached the crest of the "Hood," + Augusta seated herself on a flat bowlder, and the + young student flung himself on a patch of + greensward at her feet. The intense light of + the late sun fell upon the girl's unconscious face, + and Arnfinn lay, gazing up into it, and wondering + at its rare beauty; but he saw only the clean + cut of its features and the purity of its form, + being too shallow to recognize the strong and + heroic soul which had struggled so long for + utterance in the life of which he had been a blind + and unmindful witness.</p> +<p>"Gracious, how beautiful you are, cousin!" + he broke forth, heedlessly, striking his leg with + his slender cane; "pity you were not born a + queen; you would be equal to almost anything, + even if it were to discover the Polar Sea."</p> +<p>"I thought you were looking at the sun, + Arnfinn," answered she, smiling reluctantly.</p> +<p>"And so I am, cousin," laughed he, with an + other-emphatic slap of his boot.</p> +<p>"That compliment is rather stale."</p> +<p>"But the opportunity was too tempting."</p> +<p>"Never mind, I will excuse you from further + efforts. Turn around and notice that wonderful + purple halo which is hovering over the forests + below. Isn't it glorious?"</p> +<p>"No, don't let us be solemn, pray. The sun I have seen a thousand times + before, but you I have seen very seldom of late. Somehow, since I returned this + time, you seem to keep me at a distance. You no longer confide to me your great + plans for the abolishment of war, and the improvement of mankind generally. + Why don't you tell me whether you have as yet succeeded in convincing the peasants + that cleanliness is a cardinal virtue, that hawthorn hedges are more picturesque + than rail fences, and that salt meat is a very indigestible article?" </p> +<p>"You know the fate of my reforms, from long + experience," she answered, with the same sad, + sweet smile. "I am afraid there must be some + thing radically wrong about my methods; and, + moreover, I know that your aspirations and + mine are no longer the same, if they ever have + been, and I am not ungenerous enough to force + you to feign an interest which you do not feel."</p> +<p>"Yes, I know you think me flippant and + boyish," retorted he, with sudden energy, and + tossing a stone down into the gulf below. + "But, by the way, my friend Strand, if he ever + comes, would be just the man for you. He has + quite as many hobbies as you have, and, what is + more, he has a profound respect for hobbies in + general, and is universally charitable toward + those of others."</p> +<p>"Your friend is a great man," said the girl, + earnestly. "I have read his book on `The + Wading Birds of the Norwegian Highlands,' + and none but a great man could have written it."</p> +<p>"He is an odd stick, but, for all that, a capital + fellow; and I have no doubt you would get on + admirably with him."</p> +<p>At this moment the conversation was interrupted + by the appearance of the pastor's man, + Hans, who came to tell the "young miss" that + there was a big tramp hovering about the barns + in the "out-fields," where he had been sleeping + during the last three nights. He was a dangerous + character, Hans thought, at least judging + from his looks, and it was hardly safe for the + young miss to be roaming about the fields at + night as long as he was in the neighborhood.</p> +<p>"Why don't you speak to the pastor, and + have him arrested?" said Arnfinn, impatient of + Hans's long-winded recital.</p> +<p>"No, no, say nothing to father," demanded + Augusta, eagerly. "Why should you arrest + a poor man as long as he does nothing worse + than sleep in the barns in the out-fields?"</p> +<p>"As you say, miss," retorted Hans, and departed.</p> +<p>The moon came up pale and mist-like over + the eastern mountain ridges, struggled for a few + brief moments feebly with the sunlight, and + then vanished.</p> +<p>"It is strange," said Arnfinn, "how + everything reminds me of Strand to-night. What + gloriously absurd apostrophes to the moon he + could make! I have not told you, cousin, of a + very singular gift which he possesses. He can + attract all kinds of birds and wild animals to + himself; he can imitate their voices, and they + flock around him, as if he were one of them, + without fear of harm."</p> +<p>"How delightful," cried Augusta, with sudden + animation. "What a glorious man your friend + must be!"</p> +<p>"Because the snipes and the wild ducks like him? + You seem to have greater confidence in their judgment + than in mine."</p> +<p>"Of course I have--at least as long as you + persist in joking. But, jesting aside, what a + wondrously beautiful life he must lead whom + Nature takes thus into her confidence; who has, + as it were, an inner and subtler sense, corresponding + to each grosser and external one; who is + keen-sighted enough to read the character of + every individual beast, and has ears sensitive to + the full pathos of joy or sorrow in the song of + the birds that inhabit our woodlands."</p> +<p>"Whether he has any such second set of + senses as you speak of, I don't know; but there + can be no doubt that his familiarity, not to say + intimacy, with birds and beasts gives him a + great advantage as a naturalist. I suppose you + know that his little book has been translated + into French, and rewarded with the gold medal + of the Academy."</p> +<p>"Hush! What is that?" Augusta sprang + up, and held her hand to her ear.</p> +<p>"Some love-lorn mountain-cock playing yonder + in the pine copse," suggested Arnfinn, + amused at his cousin's eagerness.</p> +<p>"You silly boy! Don't you know the mountain- + cock never plays except at sunrise?"</p> +<p>"He would have a sorry time of it now, then, + when there IS no sunrise."</p> +<p>"And so he has; he does not play except in + early spring."</p> +<p>The noise, at first faint, now grew louder. It + began with a series of mellow, plaintive clucks + that followed thickly one upon another, like + smooth pearls of sound that rolled through the + throat in a continuous current; then came a few + sharp notes as of a large bird that snaps his + bill; then a long, half-melodious rumbling, + intermingled with cacklings and snaps, and at last, + a sort of diminuendo movement of the same + round, pearly clucks. There was a whizzing of + wing-beats in the air; two large birds swept + over their heads and struck down into the copse + whence the sound had issued.</p> +<p>"This is indeed a most singular thing," said + Augusta, under her breath, and with wide-eyed wonder. + "Let us go nearer, and see what it can be."</p> +<p>"I am sure I can go if you can," responded + Arnfinn, not any too eagerly. "Give me your + hand, and we can climb the better."</p> +<p>As they approached the pine copse, which</p> +<p>projected like a promontory from the line of + the denser forest, the noise ceased, and only the + plaintive whistling of a mountain-hen, calling + her scattered young together, and now and then + the shrill response of a snipe to the cry of its + lonely mate, fell upon the summer night, not as + an interruption, but as an outgrowth of the very + silence. Augusta stole with soundless tread + through the transparent gloom which lingered + under those huge black crowns, and Arnfinn + followed impatiently after. Suddenly she motioned + to him to stand still, and herself bent forward + in an attitude of surprise and eager observation. + On the ground, some fifty steps from + where she was stationed, she saw a man + stretched out full length, with a knapsack under + his head, and surrounded by a flock of downy, + half-grown birds, which responded with a low, + anxious piping to his alluring cluck, then scattered + with sudden alarm, only to return again + in the same curious, cautious fashion as before. + Now and then there was a great flapping of + wings in the trees overhead, and a heavy brown + and black speckled mountain-hen alighted close + to the man's head, stretched out her neck toward + him, cocked her head, called her scattered brood + together, and departed with slow and deliberate + wing-beats.</p> +<p>Again there was a frightened flutter over- + head, a shrill anxious whistle rose in the air, + and all was silence. Augusta had stepped on a + dry branch--it had broken under her weight-- + hence the sudden confusion and flight. The + unknown man had sprung up, and his eye, after a + moment's search, had found the dark, beautiful + face peering forth behind the red fir-trunk. + He did not speak or salute her; he greeted her + with silent joy, as one greets a wondrous vision + which is too frail and bright for consciousness + to grasp, which is lost the very instant one is + conscious of seeing. But, while to the girl the + sight, as it were, hung trembling in the range + of mere physical perception, while its suddenness + held it aloof from moral reflection, there + came a great shout from behind, and Arnfinn, + whom in her surprise she had quite forgotten, + came bounding forward, grasping the stranger + by the hand with much vigor, laughing heartily, + and pouring forth a confused stream of + delighted interjections, borrowed from all manner + of classical and unclassical tongues.</p> +<p>"Strand! Strand!" he cried, when the first + tumult of excitement had subsided; "you most + marvelous and incomprehensible Strand! From + what region of heaven or earth did you jump + down into our prosaic neighborhood? And + what in the world possessed you to choose our + barns as the centre of your operations, and + nearly put me to the necessity of having you + arrested for vagrancy? How I do regret that + Cousin Augusta's entreaties mollified my heart + toward you. Pardon me, I have not introduced + you. This is my cousin, Miss Oddson, and this + is my miraculous friend, the world-renowned + author, vagrant, and naturalist, Mr. Marcus Strand."</p> +<p>Strand stepped forward, made a deep but + somewhat awkward bow, and was dimly aware + that a small soft hand was extended to him, + and, in the next moment, was enclosed in his + own broad and voluminous palm. He grasped + it firmly, and, in one of those profound abstractions + into which he was apt to fall when under + the sway of a strong impression, pressed it with + increasing cordiality, while he endeavored to + find fitting answers to Arnfinn's multifarious + questions.</p> +<p>"To tell the truth, Vording," he said, in a + deep, full-ringing bass, "I didn't know that + these were your cousin's barns--I mean that + your uncle"--giving the unhappy hand an emphatic + shake--"inhabited these barns."</p> +<p>"No, thank heaven, we are not quite reduced + to that," cried Arnfinn, gayly; "we still boast a + parsonage, as you will presently discover, and a + very bright and cozy one, to boot. But, whatever + you do, have the goodness to release + Augusta's hand. Don't you see how desperately + she is struggling, poor thing?"</p> +<p>Strand dropped the hand as if it had been a + hot coal, blushed to the edge of his hair, and + made another profound reverence. He was a + tall, huge-limbed youth, with a frame of + gigantic mold, and a large, blonde, shaggy head, + like that of some good-natured antediluvian + animal, which might feel the disadvantages of + its size amid the puny beings of this later stage + of creation. There was a frank directness in + his gaze, and an unconsciousness of self, which + made him very winning, and which could not + fail of its effect upon a girl who, like Augusta, + was fond of the uncommon, and hated smooth, + facile and well-tailored young men, with the + labels of society and fashion upon their coats, + their mustaches, and their speech. And Strand, + with his large sun-burned face, his wild-growing + beard, blue woolen shirt, top boots, and unkempt + appearance generally, was a sufficiently + startling phenomenon to satisfy even so exacting + a fancy as hers; for, after reading his book + about the Wading Birds, she had made up her + mind that he must have few points of resemblance + to the men who had hitherto formed part + of her own small world, although she had not + until now decided just in what way he was to + differ.</p> +<p>"Suppose I help you carry your knapsack," + said Arnfinn, who was flitting about like a small + nimble spaniel trying to make friends with some + large, good-natured Newfoundland. "You must + be very tired, having roamed about in this + Quixotic fashion!"</p> +<p>"No, I thank you," responded Strand, with + an incredulous laugh, glancing alternately from + Arnfinn to the knapsack, as if estimating their + proportionate weight. "I am afraid you would + rue your bargain if I accepted it."</p> +<p>"I suppose you have a great many stuffed + birds at home," remarked the girl, looking + with self-forgetful admiration at the large + brawny figure.</p> +<p>"No, I have hardly any," answered he, + seating himself on the ground, and pulling a thick + note-book from his pocket. "I prefer live + creatures. Their anatomical and physiological + peculiarities have been studied by others, and + volumes have been written about them. It is + their psychological traits, ii you will allow the + expression, which interest me, and those I can + only get at while they are alive."</p> +<p>"How delightful!"</p> +<p>Some minutes later they were all on their way + to the Parsonage. The sun, in spite of its mid- + summer wakefulness, was getting red-eyed and + drowsy, and the purple mists which hung in + scattered fragments upon the forest below had + lost something of their deep-tinged brilliancy. + But Augusta, quite blind to the weakened light + effects, looked out upon the broad landscape in + ecstasy, and, appealing to her more apathetic + companions, invited them to share her joy at the + beauty of the faint-flushed summer night.</p> +<p>"You are getting quite dithyrambic, my + dear," remarked Arnfinn, with an air of cousinly + superiority, which he felt was eminently + becoming to him; and Augusta looked up with + quick surprise, then smiled in an absent way, + and forgot what she had been saying. She had + no suspicion but that her enthusiasm had been + all for the sunset.</p> +<p></p> +<p>III.</p> +<p> In a life so outwardly barren and monotonous as Augusta's--a life in which + the small external events were so firmly interwoven with the subtler threads + of yearnings, wants, and desires --the introduction of so large and novel a + fact as Marcus Strand would naturally produce some perceptible result. It was + that deplorable inward restlessness of hers, she reasoned, which had hitherto + made her existence seem so empty and unsatisfactory; but now his presence filled + the hours, and the newness of his words, his manner, and his whole person afforded + inexhaustible material for thought. It was now a week since his arrival, and + while Arnfinn and Inga chatted at leisure, drew caricatures, or read aloud to + each other in some shady nook of the garden, she and Strand would roam along + the beach, filling the vast unclouded horizon with large glowing images of the + future of the human race. He always listened in sympathetic silence while she + unfolded to him her often childishly daring schemes for the amelioration of + suffering and the righting of social wrongs; and when she had finished, and + he met the earnest appeal of her dark eye, there would often be a pause, during + which each, with a half unconscious lapse from the impersonal, would feel more + keenly the joy of this new and delicious mental companionship. And when at length + he answered, sometimes gently refuting and sometimes assenting to her proposition, + it was always with a slow, deliberate earnestness, as if he felt but her deep + sincerity, and forgot for the moment her sex, her youth, and her inexperience. + It was just this kind of fellowship for which she had hungered so long, and + her heart went out with a great gratitude toward this strong and generous man, + who was willing to recognize her humanity, and to respond with an ever-ready + frankness, unmixed with petty suspicions and second thoughts, to the eager needs + of her half- starved nature. It is quite characteristic, too, of the type of + womanhood which Augusta represents (and with which this broad continent of ours + abounds), that, with her habitual disregard of appearances, she would have scorned + the notion that their intercourse had any ultimate end beyond that of mutual + pleasure and instruction.</p> +<p>It was early in the morning in the third week + of Strand's stay at the Parsonage. A heavy + dew had fallen during the night, and each tiny + grass-blade glistened in the sun, bending under + the weight of its liquid diamond. The birds + were improvising a miniature symphony in the + birches at the end of the garden; the song- + thrush warbled with a sweet melancholy his + long-drawn contralto notes; the lark, like a + prima donna, hovering conspicuously in mid + air, poured forth her joyous soprano solo; and + the robin, quite unmindful of the tempo, filled + out the pauses with his thoughtless staccato + chirp. Augusta, who was herself the early bird + of the pastor's family, had paid a visit to the + little bath-house down at the brook, and was + now hurrying homeward, her heavy black hair + confined in a delicate muslin hood, and her lithe + form hastily wrapped in a loose morning gown. + She had paused for a moment under the birches + to listen to the song of the lark, when suddenly + a low, half articulate sound, very unlike the + voice of a bird, arrested her attention; she + raised her eyes, and saw Strand sitting in the + top of a tree, apparently conversing with himself, + or with some tiny thing which he held in + his hands.</p> +<p>"Ah, yes, you poor little sickly thing!" she + heard him mutter. "Don't you make such an + ado now. You shall soon be quite well, if you + will only mind what I tell you. Stop, stop! + Take it easy. It is all for your own good, you + know. If you had only been prudent, and not + stepped on your lame leg, you might have been + spared this affliction. But, after all, it was not + your fault--it was that foolish little mother of + yours. She will remember now that a skein of + hemp thread is not the thing to line her nest + with. If she doesn't, you may tell her that it + was I who said so."</p> +<p>Augusta stood gazing on in mute astonishment; + then, suddenly remembering her hasty + toilet, she started to run; but, as chance would + have it, a dry branch, which hung rather low, + caught at her hood, and her hair fell in a black + wavy stream down over her shoulders. She + gave a little cry, the tree shook violently, and + Strand was at her side. She blushed crimson + over neck and face, and, in her utter bewilderment, + stood like a culprit before him, unable to + move, unable to speak, and only returning with + a silent bow his cordial greeting. It seemed to + her that she had ungenerously intruded upon + his privacy, watching him, while he thought + himself unobserved. And Augusta was quite + unskilled in those social accomplishments which + enable young ladies to hide their inward emotions + under a show of polite indifference, for, + however hard she strove, she could not suppress + a slight quivering of her lips, and her intense + self-reproach made Strand's words fall dimly on + her ears, and prevented her from gathering the + meaning of what he was saying. He held in + his hands a young bird with a yellow line along + the edge of its bill (and there was something + beautifully soft and tender in the way those + large palms of his handled any living thing), + and he looked pityingly at it while he spoke.</p> +<p>"The mother of this little linnet," he said, + smiling, "did what many foolish young mothers + are apt to do. She took upon her the responsibility + of raising offspring without having acquired + the necessary knowledge of housekeeping. + So she lined her nest with hemp, and the + consequence was, that her first-born got his legs + entangled, and was obliged to remain in the + nest long after his wings had reached their full + development. I saw her feeding him about a + week ago, and, as my curiosity prompted me to + look into the case, I released the little cripple, + cleansed the deep wound which the threads had + cut in his flesh, and have since been watching + him during his convalescence. Now he is quite + in a fair way, but I had to apply some salve, + and to cut off the feathers about the wound, and + the little fool squirmed under the pain, and grew + rebellious. Only notice this scar, if you please, + Miss Oddson, and you may imagine what the + poor thing must have suffered."</p> +<p>Augusta gave a start; she timidly raised her + eyes, and saw Strand's grave gaze fixed upon + her. She felt as if some intolerable spell had + come over her, and, as her agitation increased, + her power of speech seemed utterly to desert + her.</p> +<p>"Ah, you have not been listening to me?" + said Strand, in a tone of wondering inquiry. + "Pardon me for presuming to believe that my + little invalid could be as interesting to you as + he is to me."</p> +<p>"Mr. Strand," stammered the girl, while the + invisible tears came near choking her voice. + "Mr. Strand--I didn't mean--really--"</p> +<p>She knew that if she said another word she + should burst into tears. With a violent effort, + she gathered up her wrapper, which somehow + had got unbuttoned at the neck, and, with + heedlessly hurrying steps, darted away toward the + house.</p> +<p>Strand stood looking after her, quite unmindful + of his feathered patient, which flew chirping + about him in the grass. Two hours later Arnfinn + found him sitting under the birches with + his hands clasped over the top of his head, and + his surgical instruments scattered on the ground + around him.</p> +<p>"Corpo di Baccho," exclaimed the student, + stooping to pick up the precious tools; "have + you been amputating your own head, or is it I + who am dreaming?"</p> +<p>"Ah," murmured Strand, lifting a large, + strange gaze upon his friend, "is it you?"</p> +<p>"Who else should it be? I come to call you + to breakfast."</p> +<p></p> +<p>IV.</p> +<p> + "I wonder what is up between Strand and + Augusta?" said Arnfinn to his cousin Inga. The + questioner was lying in the grass at her feet, + resting his chin on his palms, and gazing with + roguishly tender eyes up into her fresh, blooming + face; but Inga, who was reading aloud from + "David Copperfield," and was deep in the + matrimonial tribulations of that noble hero, only + said "hush," and continued reading. Arnfinn, + after a minute's silence, repeated his remark, + whereupon his fair cousin wrenched his cane + out of his hand, and held it threateningly over + his head.</p> +<p>"Will you be a good boy and listen?" she + exclaimed, playfully emphasizing each word + with a light rap on his curly pate.</p> +<p>"Ouch! that hurts," cried Arnfinn, and + dodged.</p> +<p>"It was meant to hurt," replied Inga, with + mock severity, and returned to "Copperfield."</p> +<p>Presently the seed of a corn-flower struck the + tip of her nose, and again the cane was lifted; + but Dora's housekeeping experiences were too + absorbingly interesting, and the blue eyes could + not resist their fascination.</p> +<p>"Cousin Inga," said Arnfinn, and this time + with as near an approach to earnestness as he + was capable of at that moment, "I do believe + that Strand is in love with Augusta."</p> +<p>Inga dropped the book, and sent him what + was meant to be a glance of severe rebuke, and + then said, in her own amusingly emphatic way:</p> +<p>"I do wish you wouldn't joke with such + things, Arnfinn."</p> +<p>"Joke! Indeed I am not joking. I wish to + heaven that I were. What a pity it is that she + has taken such a dislike to him!"</p> +<p>"Dislike! Oh, you are a profound philosopher, + you are! You think that because she + avoids--"</p> +<p>Here Inga abruptly clapped her hand over + her mouth, and, with sudden change of voice + and expression, said:</p> +<p>"I am as silent as the grave."</p> +<p>"Yes, you are wonderfully discreet," cried + Arnfinn, laughing, while the girl bit her under + lip with an air of penitence and mortification + which, in any other bosom than a cousin's would + have aroused compassion.</p> +<p>"Aha! So steht's!" he broke forth, with + another burst of merriment; then, softened by the + sight of a tear that was slowly gathering beneath + her eyelashes, he checked his laughter, + crept up to her side, and in a half childishly + coaxing, half caressing tone, he whispered:</p> +<p>"Dear little cousin, indeed I didn't mean to + hurt your feelings. You are not angry with + me, are you? And if you will only promise me + not to tell, I have something here which I should + like to show you."</p> +<p>He well knew that there was nothing which + would sooner soothe Inga's wrath than confiding + a secret to her; and while he was a boy, he had, + in cases of sore need, invented secrets lest his + life should be made miserable by the sense that + she was displeased with him. In this instance + her anger was not strong enough to resist the + anticipation of a secret, probably relating to + that little drama which had, during the last + weeks, been in progress under her very eyes. + With a resolute movement, she brushed her + tears away, bent eagerly forward, and, in the + next moment, her face was all expectancy and + animation.</p> +<p>Arnfinn pulled a thick black note-book from + his breast pocket, opened it in his lap, and read:</p> +<p>"August 3, 5 A. M.--My little invalid is doing + finely; he seemed to relish much a few dozen + flies which I brought him in my hand. His + pulse is to-day, for the first time, normal. He + is beginning to step on the injured leg without + apparent pain.</p> +<p>"10 A. M.--Miss Augusta's eyes have a strange, + lustrous brilliancy whenever she speaks of subjects + which seem to agitate the depths of her + being. How and why is it that an excessive + amount of feeling always finds its first expression + in the eye? One kind of emotion seems to widen + the pupil, another kind to contract it. TO be + noticed in future, how particular emotions affect + the eye.</p> +<p>"6 P. M.--I met a plover on the beach this + afternoon. By imitating his cry, I induced him + to come within a few feet of me. The plover, + as his cry indicates, is a very melancholy bird. + In fact I believe the melancholy temperament to + be prevailing among the wading birds, as the + phlegmatic among birds of prey. The singing + birds are choleric or sanguine. Tease a thrush, + or even a lark, and you will soon be convinced. + A snipe, or plover, as far as my experience goes, + seldom shows anger; you cannot tease them. + To be considered, how far the voice of a bird may + be indicative of its temperament.</p> +<p>"August 5, 9 P. M.--Since the unfortunate + meeting yesterday morning, when my intense + pre-occupation with my linnet, which had torn + its wound open again, probably made me commit + some breach of etiquette, Miss Augusta + avoids me.</p> +<p>"August 7--I am in a most singular state. + My pulse beats 85, which is a most unheard-of + thing for me, as my pulse is naturally full and + slow. And, strangely enough, I do not feel at + all unwell. On the contrary, my physical well- + being is rather heightened than otherwise. + The life of a whole week is crowded into a day, + and that of a day into an hour."</p> +<p>Inga, who, at several points of this narrative, + had been struggling hard to preserve her gravity, + here burst into a ringing laugh.</p> +<p>"That is what I call scientific love-making," + said Arnfinn, looking up from the book with an + expression of subdued amusement.</p> +<p>"But Arnfinn," cried the girl, while the laughter + quickly died out of her face, "does Mr. + Strand know that you are reading this?"</p> +<p>"To be sure he does. And that is just what + to my mind makes the situation so excessively + comical. He has himself no suspicion that this + book contains anything but scientific notes. He + appears to prefer the empiric method in love as + in philosophy. I verily believe that he is + innocently experimenting with himself, with a view + to making some great physiological discovery."</p> +<p>"And so he will, perhaps," rejoined the girl, + the mixture of gayety and grave solicitude + making her face, as her cousin thought, particularly + charming.</p> +<p>"Only not a physiological, but possibly a + psychological one," remarked Arnfinn. "But + listen to this. Here is something rich:</p> +<p>"August 9--Miss Augusta once said something + about the possibility of animals being immortal. + Her eyes shone with a beautiful animation + as she spoke. I am longing to continue + the subject with her. It haunts me the whole + day long. There may be more in the idea than + appears to a superficial observer."</p> +<p>"Oh, how charmingly he understands how to + deceive himself," cried Inga.</p> +<p>"Merely a quid pro quo," said Arnfinn.</p> +<p>"I know what I shall do!"</p> +<p>"And so do I."</p> +<p>"Won't you tell me, please?"</p> +<p>"No."</p> +<p>"Then I sha'n't tell you either."</p> +<p>And they flew apart like two thoughtless little + birds ("sanguine," as Strand would have called + them), each to ponder on some formidable plot + for the reconciliation of the estranged lovers.</p> +<p></p> +<p>V.</p> +<p> During the week that ensued, the multifarious sub-currents of Strand's passion + seemed slowly to gather themselves into one clearly defined stream, and, after + much scientific speculation, he came to the conclusion that he loved Augusta. + In a moment of extreme discouragement, he made a clean breast of it to Arnfinn, + at the same time informing him that he had packed his knapsack, and would start + on his wanderings again the next morning. All his friend's entreaties were in + vain; he would and must go. Strand was an exasperatingly head- strong fellow, + and persuasions never prevailed with him. He had confirmed himself in the belief + that he was very unattractive to women, and that Augusta, of all women, for + some reason which was not quite clear to him, hated and abhorred him. Inexperienced + as he was, he could see no reason why she should avoid him, if she did not hate + him. They sat talking until mid- night, each entangling himself in those passionate + paradoxes and contradictions peculiar to passionate and impulsive youth. Strand + paced the floor with large steps, pouring out his long pent-up emotion in violent + tirades of self- accusation and regret; while Arnfinn sat on the bed, trying + to soothe his excitement by assuring him that he was not such a monster as, + for the moment, he had believed himself to be, but only succeeding, in spite + of all his efforts, in pouring oil on the flames. Strand was scientifically + convinced that Nature, in accordance with some inscrutable law of equilibrium, + had found it necessary to make him physically unattractive, perhaps to indemnify + mankind for that excess of intellectual gifts which, at the expense of the race + at large, she had bestowed upon him.</p> +<p>Early the next morning, as a kind of etherealized + sunshine broke through the white muslin + curtains of Arnfinn's room, and long streaks of + sun-illumined dust stole through the air toward + the sleeper's pillow, there was a sharp rap at the + door, and Strand entered. His knapsack was + strapped over his shoulders, his long staff was in + his hand, and there was an expression of + conscious martyrdom in his features. Arnfinn + raised himself on his elbows, and rubbed his + eyes with a desperate determination to get + awake, but only succeeded in gaining a very + dim impression of a beard, a blue woolen shirt, + and a disproportionately large shoe buckle. The + figure advanced to the bed, extended a broad, + sun-burned hand, and a deep bass voice was + heard to say:</p> +<p>"Good-bye, brother."</p> +<p>Arnfinn, who was a hard sleeper, gave another + rub, and, in a querulously sleepy tone, managed + to mutter:</p> +<p>"Why,--is it as late as that--already?"</p> +<p>The words of parting were more remotely + repeated, the hand closed about Arnfinn's half- + unfeeling fingers, the lock on the door gave a + little sharp click, and all was still. But the + sunshine drove the dust in a dumb, confused dance + through the room.</p> +<p>Some four hours later, Arnfinn woke up with + a vague feeling as if some great calamity had + happened; he was not sure but that he had slept + a fortnight or more. He dressed with a sleepy, + reckless haste, being but dimly conscious of the + logic of the various processes of ablution which + he underwent. He hurried up to Strand's room, + but, as he had expected, found it empty.</p> +<p>During all the afternoon, the reading of "David + Copperfield" was interrupted by frequent + mutual condolences, and at times Inga's hand + would steal up to her eye to brush away a + treacherous tear. But then she only read the + faster, and David and Agnes were already safe + in the haven of matrimony before either she or + Arnfinn was aware that they had struggled + successfully through the perilous reefs and quick- + sands of courtship.</p> +<p>Augusta excused herself from supper, Inga's + forced devices at merriment were too transparent, + Arnfinn's table-talk was of a rambling, + incoherent sort, and he answered dreadfully + malapropos, if a chance word was addressed to him, + and even the good-natured pastor began, at last, + to grumble; for the inmates of the Gran Parsonage + seemed to have but one life and one soul in + common, and any individual disturbance immediately + disturbed the peace and happiness of the + whole household. Now gloom had, in some + unaccountable fashion, obscured the common + atmosphere. Inga shook her small wise head, and + tried to extract some little consolation from the + consciousness that she knew at least some things + which Arnfinn did not know, and which it would + be very unsafe to confide to him.</p> +<p></p> +<p>VI.</p> +<p> + Four weeks after Strand's departure, as the + summer had already assumed that tinge of sadness + which impresses one as a foreboding of + coming death, Augusta was walking along the + beach, watching the flight of the sea-birds. Her + latest "aberration," as Arnfinn called it, was an + extraordinary interest in the habits of the eider- + ducks, auks, and sea-gulls, the noisy monotony + of whose existence had, but a few months ago, + appeared to her the symbol of all that was vulgar + and coarse in human and animal life. Now + she had even provided herself with a note-book, + and (to use once more the language of her + unbelieving cousin) affected a half-scientific interest + in their clamorous pursuits. She had made + many vain attempts to imitate their voices and + to beguile them into closer intimacy, and had + found it hard at times to suppress her indignation + when they persisted in viewing her in the + light of an intruder, and in returning her amiable + approaches with shy suspicion, as if they + doubted the sincerity of her intentions.</p> +<p>She was a little paler now, perhaps, than before, + but her eyes had still the same lustrous + depth, and the same sweet serenity was still + diffused over her features, and softened, like a + pervading tinge of warm color, the grand + simplicity of her presence. She sat down on a + large rock, picked up a curiously twisted shell, + and seeing a plover wading in the surf, gave a + soft, low whistle, which made the bird turn + round and gaze at her with startled distrust. + She repeated the call, but perhaps a little too + eagerly, and the bird spread its wings with a + frightened cry, and skimmed, half flying, half + running, out over the glittering surface of the + fjord. But from the rocks close by came a long + melancholy whistle like that of a bird in + distress, and the girl rose and hastened with eager + steps toward the spot. She climbed up on a + stone, fringed all around with green slimy sea- + weeds, in order to gain a wider view of the + beach. Then suddenly some huge figure started + up between the rocks at her feet; she gave a + little scream, her foot slipped, and in the next + moment she lay--in Strand's arms. He offered + no apology, but silently carried her over the + slippery stones, and deposited her tenderly upon + the smooth white sand. There it occurred to + her that his attention was quite needless, but at + the moment she was too startled to make any + remonstrance.</p> +<p>"But how in the world, Mr. Strand, did you + come here?" she managed at last to stammer. + "We all thought that you had gone away."</p> +<p>"I hardly know myself," said Strand, in a + beseeching undertone, quite different from his + usual confident bass. "I only know that--that + I was very wretched, and that I had to come + back."</p> +<p>Then there was a pause, which to both seemed + quite interminable, and, in order to fill it out in + some way, Strand began to move his head and + arms uneasily, and at length seated himself at + Augusta's side. The blood was beating with + feverish vehemence in her temples, and for the + first time in her life she felt something akin to + pity for this large, strong man, whose strength + and cheerful self-reliance had hitherto seemed + to raise him above the need of a woman's aid + and sympathy. Now the very shabbiness of his + appearance, and the look of appealing misery in + his features, opened in her bosom the gate + through which compassion could enter, and, + with that generous self-forgetfulness which was + the chief factor of her character, she leaned + over toward him, and said:</p> +<p>"You must have been very sick, Mr. Strand. + Why did you not come to us and allow us to + take care of you, instead of roaming about here + in this stony wilderness?"</p> +<p>"Yes; I have been sick," cried Strand, with + sudden vehemence, seizing her hand; "but it is + a sickness of which I shall never, never be + healed."</p> +<p>And with that world-old eloquence which is yet ever new, he poured forth his + passionate confession in her ear, and she listened, hungrily at first, then + with serene, wide-eyed happiness. He told her how, driven by his inward restlessness, + he had wandered about in the mountains, until one evening at a saeter, he had + heard a peasant lad singing a song, in which this stanza occurred:</p> +<blockquote> + <p> "A woman's frown, a woman's smile, <br> + <p>Nor hate nor fondness prove;<br> + <p> For maidens smile on him they hate, <br> + <p>And fly from him they love." <br> + <p> +</blockquote> +<p>Then it had occurred to him for the first time + in his life that a woman's behavior need not be + the logical indicator of her deepest feelings, + and, enriched with this joyful discovery, + inspired with new hope, he had returned, but had + not dared at once to seek the Parsonage, until + he could invent some plausible reason for his + return; but his imagination was very poor, and + he had found none, except that he loved the + pastor's beautiful daughter.</p> +<p>The evening wore on. The broad mountain- + guarded valley, flooded now to the brim with a + soft misty light, spread out about them, and + filled them with a delicious sense of security. + The fjord lifted its grave gaze toward the sky, + and deepened responsively with a bright, ever- + receding immensity. The young girl felt this + blessed peace gently stealing over her; doubt + and struggle were all past, and the sun shone + ever serene and unobscured upon the widening + expanses of the future. And in his breast, too, + that mood reigned in which life looks boundless + and radiant, human woes small or impossible, + and one's own self large and all-conquering. + In that hour they remodeled this old and + obstinate world of ours, never doubting that, if + each united his faith and strength with the + other's, they could together lift its burden.</p> +<p>That night was the happiest and most memorable + night in the history of the Gran Parsonage. + The pastor walked up and down on the floor, + rubbing his hands in quiet contentment. Inga, + to whom an engagement was essentially a sol- + emn affair, sat in a corner and gazed at her + sister and Strand with tearful radiance. Arnfinn + gave vent to his joy by bestowing embraces + promiscuously upon whomsoever chanced to + come in his way.</p> +<p>This story, however, has a brief but not + unimportant sequel. It was not many weeks after + this happy evening that Arnfinn and the maiden + with the "amusingly unclassical nose" presented + themselves in the pastor's study and asked for + his paternal and unofficial blessing. But the + pastor, I am told, grew very wroth, and + demanded that his nephew should first take his + second and third degrees, attaching, besides, + some very odious stipulations regarding average + in study and college standing, before there could + be any talk about engagement or matrimony. + So, at present, Arnfinn is still studying, and the + fair-haired Inga is still waiting.</p> +<p></p> +<p>TRULS, THE NAMELESS.</p> +<p>HE was born in the houseman's lodge; + she in the great mansion. He did not + know who his father was; she was + the daughter of Grim of Skogli, and + she was the only daughter he had. They were + carried to baptism on the same day, and he was + called Truls, because they had to call him something; + she received the name of Borghild, because + that had been the name of every eldest + born daughter in the family for thirty + generations. They both cried when the pastor poured + the water on their heads; his mother hushed + him, blushed, and looked timidly around her; + but the woman who carried Borghild lifted her + high up in her arms so that everybody could + see her, and the pastor smiled benignly, and the + parishioners said that they had never seen so + beautiful a child. That was the way in which + they began life--he as a child of sin, she as the + daughter of a mighty race.</p> +<p>They grew up together. She had round + cheeks and merry eyes, and her lips were redder + than the red rose. He was of slender + growth, his face was thin and pale, and his eyes + had a strange, benumbed gaze, as if they were + puzzling themselves with some sad, life-long + riddle which they never hoped to solve. On + the strand where they played the billows came + and went, and they murmured faintly with a + sound of infinite remoteness. Borghild laughed + aloud, clapped her hands and threw stones out + into the water, while he sat pale and silent, and + saw the great white-winged sea-birds sailing + through the blue ocean of the sky.</p> +<p>"How would you like to live down there in + the deep green water?" she asked him one day, + as they sat watching the eider-ducks which + swam and dived, and stood on their heads + among the sea-weeds.</p> +<p>"I should like it very well," he answered, "if + you would follow me."</p> +<p>"No, I won't follow you," she cried. "It is + cold and wet down in the water. And I should + spoil the ribbons on my new bodice. But + when I grow up and get big and can braid my + hair, then I shall row with the young lads to the + church yonder on the headland, and there the + old pastor will marry me, and I shall wear the + big silver crown which my mother wore when + she was married."</p> +<p>"And may I go with you?" asked he, timidly.</p> +<p>"Yes, you may steer my boat and be my + helmsman, or--you may be my bridegroom, if + you would like that better."</p> +<p>"Yes, I think I should rather be your + bridegroom," and he gave her a long, strange look + which almost frightened her.</p> +<p>The years slipped by, and before Borghild + knew it, she had grown into womanhood. The + down on Truls's cheeks became rougher, and he, + too, began to suspect that he was no longer a + boy. When the sun was late and the breeze + murmured in the great, dark-crowned pines, + they often met by chance, at the well, on the + strand, or on the saeter-green. And the oftener + they met the more they found to talk about; to + be sure, it was she who did the talking, and he + looked at her with his large wondering eyes and + listened. She told him of the lamb which had + tumbled down over a steep precipice and still + was unhurt, of the baby who pulled the pastor's + hair last Sunday during the baptismal ceremony, + or of the lumberman, Lars, who drank the kero- + sene his wife gave him for brandy, and never + knew the difference. But, when the milkmaids + passed by, she would suddenly forget what she + had been saying, and then they sat gazing at + each other in silence. Once she told him of the + lads who danced with her at the party at Houg; + and she thought she noticed a deeper color on + his face, and that he clinched both his fists and + --thrust them into his pockets. That set her + thinking, and the more she thought, the more + curious she grew. He played the violin well; + suppose she should ask him to come and fiddle + at the party her father was to give at the end + of the harvest. She resolved to do it, and he, + not knowing what moved her, gave his promise + eagerly. It struck her, afterward, that she had + done a wicked thing, but, like most girls, she + had not the heart to wrestle with an uncomfortable + thought; she shook it off and began to hum + a snatch of an old song.</p> +<blockquote> + <p> "O'er the billows the fleet-footed storm-wind rode,<br> + The billows blue are the merman's abode,<br> + So strangely that harp was sounding."</p> +</blockquote> +<p> + The memory of old times came back to her, + the memory of the morning long years ago, + when they sat together on the strand, and he + said; "I think I would rather be your bride- + groom, Borghild." The memory was sweet + but it was bitter too; and the bitterness rose + and filled her heart. She threw her head back + proudly, and laughed a strange, hollow laugh. + "A bastard's bride, ha, ha! A fine tale were + that for the parish gossips." A yellow butterfly + lighted on her arm, and with a fierce frown on + her face she caught it between her fingers. + Then she looked pityingly on the dead wings, + as they lay in her hand, and murmured between + her teeth: "Poor thing! Why did you come + in my way, unbidden?"</p> +<p>The harvest was rich, and the harvest party + was to keep pace with the harvest. The broad + Skogli mansion was festively lighted (for it was + already late in September); the tall, straight + tallow candles, stuck in many-armed candlesticks, + shone dimly through a sort of misty halo, + and only suffused the dusk with a faint glimmering + of light. And every time a guest entered, + the flames of the candles flickered and + twisted themselves with the wind, struggling + to keep erect. And Borghild's courage, too, + rose and fell with the flickering motion of a + flame which wrestles with the wind. Whenever + the latch clicked she lifted her eyes and looked + for Truls, and one moment she wished that she + might never see his face again, and in the next + she sent an eager glance toward the door. Presently + he came, threw his fiddle on a bench, and + with a reckless air walked up to her and held + out his hand. She hesitated to return his greeting, + but when she saw the deep lines of suffering + in his face, her heart went forward with a + great tenderness toward him, a tenderness such + as one feels for a child who is sick, and suffers + without hope of healing. She laid her hand in + his, and there it lay for a while listlessly; for + neither dared trust the joy which the sight of + the other enkindled. But when she tried to + draw her hand away, he caught it quickly, and + with a sudden fervor of voice he said:</p> +<p>"The sight of you, Borghild, stills the hunger + which is raging in my soul. Beware that you + do not play with a life, Borghild, even though + it be a worthless one."</p> +<p>There was something so hopelessly sad in his + words, that they stung her to the quick. They + laid bare a hidden deep in her heart, and she + shrank back st the sight of her own vileness. + How could she repair the injury she had done + him? How could she heal the wound she had + inflicted? A number of guests came up to greet + her and among them Syvert Stein, a bold-look- + ing young man, who, during that summer, had + led her frequently in the dance. He had a + square face, strong features, and a huge crop of + towy hair. His race was far-famed for wit and + daring.</p> +<p>"Tardy is your welcome, Borghild of Skogli," quoth he. "But + what a faint heart does not give a bold hand can grasp, and what I am not offered + I take unbidden." </p> +<p>So saying, he flung his arm about her waist, + lifted her from the floor and put her down in + the middle of the room. Truls stood and gazed + at them with large, bewildered eyes. He tried + hard to despise the braggart, but ended with + envying him.</p> +<p>"Ha, fiddler, strike up a tune that shall ring + through marrow and bone," shouted Syvert + Stein, who struck the floor with his heels and + moved his body to the measure of a spring-dance.</p> +<p>Truls still followed them with his eyes; + suddenly he leaped up, and a wild thought burned + in his breast. But with an effort he checked + himself, grasped his violin, and struck a wailing + chord of lament. Then he laid his ear close + to the instrument, as if he were listening to + some living voice hidden there within, ran wa- + rily with the bow over the strings, and warbled, + and caroled, and sang with maddening glee, and + still with a shivering undercurrent of woe. And + the dusk which slept upon the black rafters was + quickened and shook with the weird sound; + every pulse in the wide hall beat more rapidly, + and every eye kindled with a bolder fire. + Pressently{sic} a Strong male voice sang out to the + measure of the violin:</p> +<p> + "Come, fairest maid, tread the dance with me; + O heigh ho!"</p> +<p>And a clear, tremulous treble answered:</p> +<p>"So gladly tread I the dance with thee; + O heigh ho!"</p> +<p> + Truls knew the voices only too well; it was Syvert Stein + and Borghild who were singing a stave.[8]</p> +<p> + [8] A stave is an improvised responsive song. It is an ancient pastime + in Norway, and is kept up until this day, especially among the peasantry. + The students, also, at their social gatherings, throw improvised + rhymes to each other across the table, and the rest of the company + repeat the refrain.</p> +<blockquote> + <p> Syvert--Like brier-roses thy red cheeks blush,<br> + Borghild--And thine are rough like the thorny bush;<br> + Both--An' a heigho!</p> + <p>Syvert--So fresh and green is the sunny lea;<br> + O heigh ho!<br> + Borghild--The fiddle twangeth so merrily;<br> + O heigh ho!<br> + Syvert--So lightly goeth the lusty reel,<br> + Borghild--And round we whirl like a spinning-wheel;<br> + Both--An' a heigho!</p> + <p>Syvert--Thine eyes are bright like the sunny fjord;<br> + O heigh ho!<br> + Borghild--And thine do flash like a Viking's sword;<br> + O heigh ho!<br> + Syvert--So lightly trippeth thy foot along,<br> + Borghild--The air is teeming with joyful song;<br> + Both--An' a heigh ho!</p> + <p>Syvert--Then fairest maid, while the woods are green,<br> + O heigh ho!<br> + Borghild--And thrushes sing the fresh leaves between;<br> + O heigh ho!<br> + Syvert--Come, let us dance in the gladsome day,<br> + Borghild--Dance hate, and sorrow, and care away;<br> + Both--An' a heigh ho!</p> +</blockquote> +<p> + The stave was at an end. The hot and flushed + dancers straggled over the floor by twos and + threes, and the big beer-horns were passed from + hand to hand. Truls sat in his corner hugging + his violin tightly to his bosom, only to do + something, for he was vaguely afraid of himself-- + afraid of the thoughts that might rise--afraid + of the deed they might prompt. He ran his + fingers over his forehead, but he hardly felt the + touch of his own hand. It was as if something + was dead within him--as if a string had + snapped in his breast, and left it benumbed and + voiceless.</p> +<p>Presently he looked up and saw Borghild + standing before him; she held her arms akimbo, + her eyes shone with a strange light, and her + features wore an air of recklessness mingled + with pity.</p> +<p>"Ah, Borghild, is it you?" said he, in a hoarse + voice. "What do you want with me? I + thought you had done with me now."</p> +<p>"You are a very unwitty fellow," answered + she, with a forced laugh. "The branch that + does not bend must break."</p> +<p>She turned quickly on her heel and was lost + in the crowd. He sat long pondering on her + words, but their meaning remained hidden to + him. The branch that does not bend must + break. Was he the branch, and must he bend + or break? By-and-by he put his hands on his + knees, rose with a slow, uncertain motion, and + stalked heavily toward the door. The fresh + night air would do him good. The thought + breathes more briskly in God's free nature, + under the broad canopy of heaven. The white + mist rose from the fields, and made the valley + below appear like a white sea whose nearness + you feel, even though you do not see it. And + out of the mist the dark pines stretched their + warning hands against the sky, and the moon + was swimming, large and placid, between silvery + islands of cloud. Truls began to beat his arms + against his sides, and felt the warm blood + spreading from his heart and thawing the numbness + of his limbs. Not caring whither he went, + he struck the path leading upward to the + mountains. He took to humming an old air + which happened to come into his head, only to + try if there was life enough left in him to sing. + It was the ballad of Young Kirsten and the + Merman:</p> +<blockquote> + <p> "The billows fall and the billows swell,<br> + In the night so lone,<br> + In the billows blue doth the merman dwell,<br> + And strangely that harp was sounding."</p> +</blockquote> +<p> + He walked on briskly for a while, and, looking + back upon the pain he had endured but a + moment ago, he found it quite foolish and + irrational. An absurd merriment took possession + of him; but all the while he did not know where + his foot stepped; his head swam, and his pulse + beat feverishly. About midway between the + forest and the mansion, where the field sloped + more steeply, grew a clump of birch-trees, + whose slender stems glimmered ghostly white in + the moonlight. Something drove Truls to leave + the beaten road, and, obeying the impulse, he + steered toward the birches. A strange sound + fell upon his ear, like the moan of one in + distress. It did not startle him; indeed, he was in + a mood when nothing could have caused him + wonder. If the sky had suddenly tumbled + down upon him, with moon and all, he would + have taken it as a matter of course. Peering + for a moment through the mist, he discerned + the outline of a human figure. With three + great strides he reached the birch-tree; at his + feet sat Borghild rocking herself to and fro and + weeping piteously. Without a word he seated + himself at her side and tried to catch a glimpse + of her face; but she hid it from him and went + on sobbing. Still there could be no doubt that + it was Borghild--one hour ago so merry, reckless, + and defiant, now cowering at his feet and + weeping like a broken-hearted child.</p> +<p>"Borghild," he said, at last, putting his arm + gently about her waist, "you and I, I think, + played together when we were children."</p> +<p>"So we did, Truls," answered she, struggling + with her tears.</p> +<p>"And as we grew up, we spent many a pleasant + hour with each other."</p> +<p>"Many a pleasant hour."</p> +<p>She raised her head, and he drew her more + closely to him.</p> +<p>"But since then I have done you a great + wrong," began she, after a while.</p> +<p>"Nothing done that cannot yet be undone," + he took heart to answer.</p> +<p>It was long before her thoughts took shape, + and, when at length they did, she dared not + give them utterance. Nevertheless, she was all + the time conscious of one strong desire, from + which her conscience shrank as from a crime; + and she wrestled ineffectually with her weakness + until her weakness prevailed.</p> +<p>"I am glad you came," she faltered. "I + knew you would come. There was something I + wished to say to you."</p> +<p>"And what was it, Borghild?"</p> +<p>"I wanted to ask you to forgive me--"</p> +<p>"Forgive you--"</p> +<p>He sprang up as if something had stung him.</p> +<p>"And why not?" she pleaded, piteously.</p> +<p>"Ah, girl, you know not what you ask," + cried he, with a sternness which startled her. + "If I had more than one life to waste--but you + caress with one hand and stab with the other. + Fare thee well, Borghild, for here our paths + separate."</p> +<p>He turned his back upon her and began to + descend the slope.</p> +<p>"For God's sake, stay, Truls," implored she, + and stretched her arms appealingly toward him; + "tell me, oh, tell me all."</p> +<p>With a leap he was again at her side, stooped + down over her, and, in a hoarse, passionate + whisper, spoke the secret of his life in her ear. + She gazed for a moment steadily into his face, + then, in a few hurried words, she pledged him + her love, her faith, her all. And in the stillness + of that summer night they planned together + their flight to a greater and freer land, where no + world-old prejudice frowned upon the union of + two kindred souls. They would wait in patience + and silence until spring; then come the fresh + winds from the ocean, and, with them, the birds + of passage which awake the longings in the + Norsernen's breasts, and the American vessels + which give courage to many a sinking spirit, + strength to the wearied arm, hope to the hopeless heart.</p> +<p>During that winter Truls and Borghild seldom saw each other. The parish was + filled with rumors, and after the Christmas holiday it was told for certain + that the proud maiden of Skogli had been promised in marriage to Syvert Stein. + It was the general belief that the families had made the match, and that Borghild, + at least, had hardly had any voice in the matter. Another report was that she + had flatly refused to listen to any proposal from that quarter, and that, when + she found that resistance was vain, she had cried three days and three nights, + and refused to take any food. When this rumor reached the pastor's ear, he pronounced + it an idle tale; "for," said he, "Borghild has always been a + proper and well-behaved maiden, and she knows that she must honor father and + mother, that it may be well with her, and she live long upon the land." +</p> +<p>But Borghild sat alone in her gable window + and looked longingly toward the ocean. The + glaciers glittered, the rivers swelled, the buds of + the forest burst, and great white sails began to + glimmer on the far western horizon.</p> +<p>If Truls, the Nameless, as scoffers were wont + to call him, had been a greater personage in the + valley, it would, no doubt, have shocked the + gossips to know that one fine morning he sold + his cow, his gun and his dog, and wrapped sixty + silver dollars in a leathern bag, which he sewed + fast to the girdle he wore about his waist. That + same night some one was heard playing wildly + up in the birch copse above the Skogli mansion; + now it sounded like a wail of distress, then like a + fierce, defiant laugh, and now again the music + seemed to hush itself into a heart-broken, sorrowful + moan, and the people crossed themselves, and + whispered: "Our Father;" but Borghild sat at + her gable window and listened long to the weird + strain. The midnight came, but she stirred not. + With the hour of midnight the music ceased. + From the windows of hall and kitchen the light + streamed out into the damp air, and the darkness + stood like a wall on either side; within, + maids and lads were busy brewing, baking, and + washing, for in a week there was to be a + wedding on the farm.</p> +<p>The week went and the wedding came. + Truls had not closed his eyes all that night, + and before daybreak he sauntered down along + the beach and gazed out upon the calm fjord, + where the white-winged sea-birds whirled in + great airy surges around the bare crags. Far + up above the noisy throng an ospray sailed on + the blue expanse of the sky, and quick as + thought swooped down upon a halibut which + had ventured to take a peep at the rising sun. + The huge fish struggled for a moment at the + water's edge, then, with a powerful stroke of + its tail, which sent the spray hissing through + the air, dived below the surface. The bird of + prey gave a loud scream, flapped fiercely with + its broad wings, and for several minutes a + thickening cloud of applauding ducks and seagulls + and showers of spray hid the combat from + the observer's eye. When the birds scattered, + the ospray had vanished, and the waters again + glittered calmly in the morning sun. Truls + stood long, vacantly staring out upon the scene + of the conflict, and many strange thoughts + whirled through his head.</p> +<p>"Halloo, fiddler!" cried a couple of lads who + had come to clear the wedding boats, "you are + early on foot to-day. Here is a scoop. Come + on and help us bail the boats."</p> +<p>Truls took the scoop, and looked at it as if he + had never seen such a thing before; he moved + about heavily, hardly knowing what he did, but + conscious all the while of his own great misery. + His limbs seemed half frozen, and a dull pain + gathered about his head and in his breast--in + fact, everywhere and nowhere.</p> +<p>About ten o'clock the bridal procession + descended the slope to the fjord. Syvert Stein, + the bridegroom, trod the earth with a firm, + springy step, and spoke many a cheery word to + tho bride, who walked, silent and with downcast + eyes, at his side. She wore the ancestral + bridal crown on her head, and the little silver + disks around its edge tinkled and shook as she + walked. They hailed her with firing of guns + and loud hurrahs as she stepped into the boat; + still she did not raise her eyes, but remained + silent. A small cannon, also an heir-loom in the + family, was placed amidships, and Truls, with + his violin, took his seat in the prow. A large + solitary cloud, gold-rimmed but with thunder + in its breast, sailed across the sky and threw its + shadow over the bridal boat as it was pushed + out from the shore, and the shadow fell upon + the bride's countenance too; and when she + lifted it, the mother of the bridegroom, who sat + opposite her, shrank back, for the countenance + looked hard, as if carved in stone--in the eyes + a mute, hopeless appeal; on the lips a frozen + prayer. The shadow of thunder upon a life + that was opening--it was an ill omen, and its + gloom sank into the hearts of the wedding + guests. They spoke in undertones and threw + pitying glances at the bride. Then at length + Syvert Stein lost his patience.</p> +<p>"In sooth," cried he, springing up from his + seat, "where is to-day the cheer that is wont to + abide in the Norseman's breast? Methinks I + see but sullen airs and ill-boding glances. Ha, + fiddler, now move your strings lustily! None + of your funeral airs, my lad, but a merry tune + that shall sing through marrow and bone, and + make the heart leap in the bosom."</p> +<p>Truls heard the words, and in a slow, + mechanical way he took the violin out of its case and + raised it to his chin. Syvert in the mean while + put a huge silver beer-jug to his mouth, and, + pledging his guests, emptied it even to the + dregs. But the bride's cheek was pale; and it + was so still in the boat that every man could + hear his own breathing.</p> +<p>"Ha, to-day is Syvert Stein's wedding-day!" + shouted the bridegroom, growing hot with + wrath. "Let us try if the iron voice of the + cannon can wake my guests from their slumber."</p> +<p>He struck a match and put it to the touch- + hole of the cannon; a long boom rolled away + over the surface of the waters and startled the + echoes of the distant glaciers. A faint hurrah + sounded from the nearest craft, but there came + no response from the bridal boat. Syvert pulled + the powder-horn from his pocket, laughed a + wild laugh, and poured the whole contents of + the horn into the mouth of the cannon.</p> +<p>"Now may the devil care for his own," roared + he, and sprang up upon the row-bench. Then + there came a low murmuring strain as of wavelets + that ripple against a sandy shore. Borghild + lifted her eyes, and they met those of the fiddler.</p> +<p>"Ah, I think I should rather be your + bridegroom," whispered she, and a ray of life stole + into her stony visage.</p> +<p>And she saw herself as a little rosy-cheeked + girl sitting at his side on the beach fifteen years + ago. But the music gathered strength from + her glance, and onward it rushed through the + noisy years of boyhood, shouting with wanton + voice in the lonely glen, lowing with the cattle + on the mountain pastures, and leaping like the + trout at eventide in the brawling rapids; but + through it all there ran a warm strain of boyish + loyalty and strong devotion, and it thawed her + frozen heart; for she knew that it was all for + her and for her only. And it seemed such a + beautiful thing, this long faithful life, which + through sorrow and joy, through sunshine and + gloom, for better for worse, had clung so fast + to her. The wedding guests raised their heads, + and a murmur of applause ran over the waters.</p> +<p>"Bravo!" cried the bridegroom. "Now at + last the tongues are loosed."</p> +<p>Truls's gaze dwelt with tender sadness on the + bride. Then came from the strings some airy + quivering chords, faintly flushed like the petals + of the rose, and fragrant like lilies of the valley; + and they swelled with a strong, awakening + life, and rose with a stormy fullness until they + seemed on the point of bursting, when again + they hushed themselves and sank into a low, + disconsolate whisper. Once more the tones + stretched out their arms imploringly, and again + they wrestled despairingly with themselves, fled + with a stern voice of warning, returned once + more, wept, shuddered, and were silent.</p> +<p>"Beware that thou dost not play with a life!" + sighed the bride, "even though it be a worthless one."</p> +<p>The wedding guests clapped their hands and + shouted wildly against the sky. The bride's + countenance burned with a strange feverish + glow. The fiddler arose in the prow of the + boat, his eyes flamed, he struck the strings + madly, and the air trembled with melodious + rapture. The voice of that music no living + tongue can interpret. But the bride fathomed + its meaning; her bosom labored vehemently, + her lips quivered for an instant convulsively, + and she burst into tears. A dark + suspicion shot through the bridegroom's mind. + He stared intently upon the weeping Borghild + then turned his gaze to the fiddler, who, still + regarding her, stood playing, with a half-frenzied + look and motion.</p> +<p>"You cursed wretch!" shrieked Syvert, and + made a leap over two benches to where Truls was + standing. It came so unexpectedly that Truls + had no time to prepare for defense; so he merely + stretched out the hand in which he held the + violin to ward off the blow which he saw was + coming; but Syvert tore the instrument from + his grasp and dashed it against the cannon, and, + as it happened, just against the touch-hole. + With a tremendous crash something black + darted through the air and a white smoke + brooded over the bridal boat. The bridegroom + stood pale and stunned. At his feet lay Borghild-- + lay for a moment still, as if lifeless, then + rose on her elbows, and a dark red current + broke from her breast. The smoke scattered. + No one saw how it was done; but a moment + later Truls, the Nameless, lay kneeling at + Borghild's side.</p> +<p>"It WAS a worthless life, beloved," whispered + he, tenderly. "Now it is at an end."</p> +<p>And he lifted her up in his arms as one lifts + a beloved child, pressed a kiss on her pale lips, + and leaped into the water. Like lead they fell + into the sea. A throng of white bubbles whirled + up to the surface. A loud wail rose from + the bridal fleet, and before the day was at an + end it filled the valley; but the wail did not + recall Truls, the Nameless, or Borghild his + bride.</p> +<p>What life denied them, would to God that + death may yield them!</p> +<p></p> +<p>ASATHOR'S VENGEANCE.</p> +<p>I.</p> +<p>IT was right up under the steel mountain + wall where the farm of Kvaerk + lay. How any man of common sense + could have hit upon the idea of building + a house there, where none but the goat and + the hawk had easy access, had been, and I am + afraid would ever be, a matter of wonder to the + parish people. However, it was not Lage Kvaerk + who had built the house, so he could hardly be + made responsible for its situation. Moreover, + to move from a place where one's life has once + struck deep root, even if it be in the chinks and + crevices of stones and rocks, is about the same + as to destroy it. An old tree grows but poorly + in a new soil. So Lage Kvaerk thought, and so + he said, too, whenever his wife Elsie spoke of + her sunny home at the river.</p> +<p>Gloomy as Lage usually was, he had his + brighter moments, and people noticed that these + were most likely to occur when Aasa, his daughter, + was near. Lage was probably also the only + being whom Aasa's presence could cheer; on + other people it seemed to have the very opposite + effect; for Aasa was--according to the testimony + of those who knew her--the most peculiar creature + that ever was born. But perhaps no one + did know her; if her father was right, no one + really did--at least no one but himself.</p> +<p>Aasa was all to her father; she was his past and she was his future, his hope + and his life; and withal it must be admitted that those who judged her without + knowing her had at least in one respect as just an opinion of her as he; for + there was no denying that she was strange, very strange. She spoke when she + ought to be silent, and was silent when it was proper to speak; wept when she + ought to laugh, and laughed when it was proper to weep; but her laughter as + well as her tears, her speech like her silence, seemed to have their source + from within her own soul, to be occasioned, as it were, by something which no + one else could see or hear. It made little difference where she was; if the + tears came, she yielded to them as if they were something she had long desired + in vain. Few could weep like her, and "weep like Aasa Kvaerk," was + soon also added to the stock of parish proverbs. And then her laugh! Tears may + be inopportune enough, when they come out of time, but laughter is far worse; + and when poor Aasa once burst out into a ringing laughter in church, and that + while the minister was pronouncing the benediction, it was only with the greatest + difficulty that her father could prevent the indignant congregation from seizing + her and carrying her before the sheriff for violation of the church-peace. Had + she been poor and homely, then of course nothing could have saved her; but she + happened to be both rich and beautiful, and to wealth and beauty much is pardoned. + Aasa's beauty, however, was also of a very unusual kind; not the tame sweetness + so common in her sex, but something of the beauty of the falcon, when it swoops + down upon the unwatchful sparrow or soars round the lonely crags; something + of the mystic depth of the dark tarn, when with bodeful trembling you gaze down + into it, and see its weird traditions rise from its depth and hover over the + pine-tops in the morning fog. Yet, Aasa was not dark; her hair was as fair and + yellow as a wheat-field in August, her forehead high and clear, and her mouth + and chin as if cut with a chisel; only her eyes were perhaps somewhat deeper + than is common in the North, and the longer you looked at them the deeper they + grew, just like the tarn, which, if you stare long enough into it, you will + find is as deep as the heavens above, that is, whose depth only faith and fancy + can fathom. But however long you looked at Aasa, you could never be quite sure + that she looked at you; she seemed but to half notice whatever went on around + her; the look of her eye was always more than half inward, and when it shone + the brightest, it might well happen that she could not have told you how many + years she had lived, or the name her father gave her in baptism.</p> +<p>Now Aasa was eighteen years old, and could + knit, weave, and spin, and it was full time that + wooers should come. "But that is the consequence + of living in such an out-of-the-way + place," said her mother; "who will risk his + limbs to climb that neck-breaking rock? and the + round-about way over the forest is rather too + long for a wooer." Besides handling the loom + and the spinning-wheel, Aasa had also learned + to churn and make cheese to perfection, and + whenever Elsie grieved at her strange behavior + she always in the end consoled herself with the + reflection that after all Aasa would make the + man who should get her an excellent housewife.</p> +<p>The farm of Kvaerk was indeed most singularly + situated. About a hundred feet from the + house the rough wall of the mountain rose steep + and threatening; and the most remarkable part + of it was that the rock itself caved inward and + formed a lofty arch overhead, which looked like + a huge door leading into the mountain. Some + short distance below, the slope of the fields + ended in an abrupt precipice; far underneath + lay the other farm-houses of the valley, scattered + like small red or gray dots, and the river wound + onward like a white silver stripe in the shelter + of the dusky forest. There was a path down + along the rock, which a goat or a brisk lad + might be induced to climb, if the prize of the + experiment were great enough to justify the + hazard. The common road to Kvaerk made a + large circuit around the forest, and reached the + valley far up at its northern end.</p> +<p>It was difficult to get anything to grow at + Kvaerk. In the spring all the valley lay bare + and green, before the snow had begun to think + of melting up there; and the night-frost would + be sure to make a visit there, while the fields + along the river lay silently drinking the summer + dew. On such occasions the whole family at + Kvaerk would have to stay up during all the + night and walk back and forth on either side of + the wheat-fields, carrying a long rope between + them and dragging it slowly over the heads of + the rye, to prevent the frost from settling; for + as long as the ears could be kept in motion, + they could not freeze. But what did thrive at + Kvaerk in spite of both snow and night-frost was + legends, and they throve perhaps the better for + the very sterility of its material soil. Aasa of + course had heard them all and knew them by + heart; they had been her friends from childhood, + and her only companions. All the servants, + however, also knew them and many others + besides, and if they were asked how the mansion + of Kvaerk happened to be built like an eagle's + nest on the brink of a precipice, they would tell + you the following:</p> +<p>Saint Olaf, Norway's holy king, in the time of + his youth had sailed as a Viking over the wide + ocean, and in foreign lands had learned the + doctrine of Christ the White. When he came + home to claim the throne of his hereditary + kingdom, he brought with him tapers and black + priests, and commanded the people to overthrow + the altars of Odin and Thor and to believe alone + in Christ the White. If any still dared to + slaughter a horse to the old gods, he cut off + their ears, burned their farms, and drove them + houseless from the smoking ruins. Here in the + valley old Thor, or, as they called him, Asathor, + had always helped us to vengeance and victory, + and gentle Frey for many years had given us + fair and fertile summers. Therefore the peasants + paid little heed to King Olaf's god, and + continued to bring their offerings to Odin and + Asathor. This reached the king's ear, and he + summoned his bishop and five black priests, and + set out to visit our valley. Having arrived + here, he called the peasants together, stood up + on the Ting-stone, told them of the great things + that the White Christ had done, and bade them + choose between him and the old gods. Some + were scared, and received baptism from the + king's priests; others bit their lips and were + silent; others again stood forth and told Saint + Olaf that Odin and Asathor had always served + them well, and that they were not going to give + them up for Christ the White, whom they had + never seen and of whom they knew nothing. + The next night the red cock crew[9] over ten + farms in the valley, and it happened to he theirs + who had spoken against King Olaf's god. Then + the peasants flocked to the Ting-stone and + received the baptism of Christ the White. Some + few, who had mighty kinsmen in the North, + fled and spread the evil tidings. Only one + neither fled nor was baptized, and that one was + Lage Ulfson Kvaerk, the ancestor of the present + Lage. He slew his best steed before Asathor's + altar, and promised to give him whatever he + should ask, even to his own life, if he would + save him from the vengeance of the king. Asathor + heard his prayer. As the sun set, a storm + sprung up with thick darkness and gloom, the + earth shook, Asathor drove his chariot over the + heavens with deafening thunder and swung his + hammer right and left, and the crackling lightning + flew through the air like a hail-storm of + fire. Then the peasants trembled, for they knew + that Asathor was wroth. Only the king sat + calm and fearless with his bishop and priests, + quaffing the nut-brown mead. The tempest + raged until morn. When the sun rose, Saint + Olaf called his hundred swains, sprang into the + saddle and rode down toward the river. Few + men who saw the angry fire in his eye, and the + frown on his royal brow, doubted whither he + was bound. But having reached the ford, a + wondrous sight met his eye. Where on the day + before the highway had wound itself up the + slope toward Lage Kvaerk's mansion, lay now a + wild ravine; the rock was shattered into a + thousand pieces, and a deep gorge, as if made + by a single stroke of a huge hammer, separated + the king from his enemy. Then Saint Olaf + made the sign of the cross, and mumbled the + name of Christ the White; but his hundred + swains made the sign of the hammer under their + cloaks, and thought, Still is Asathor alive.</p> +<p> + [9] "The red cock crew" is the expression used + in the old Norwegian Fagas for incendiary fire.</p> +<p> + That same night Lage Ulfson Kvaerk slew a + black ram, and thanked Asathor for his deliverance; + and the Saga tells that while he was + sprinkling the blood on the altar, the thundering + god himself appeared to him, and wilder he + looked than the fiercest wild Turk. Rams, said + he, were every-day fare; they could redeem no + promise. Brynhild, his daughter, was the + reward Asathor demanded. Lage prayed and + besought him to ask for something else. He + would gladly give him one of his sons; for he + had three sons, but only one daughter. Asathor + was immovable; but so long Lage continued to + beg, that at last he consented to come back in a + year, when Lage perchance would be better + reconciled to the thought of Brynhild's loss.</p> +<p>In the mean time King Olaf built a church to + Christ the White on the headland at the river, + where it stands until this day. Every evening, + when the huge bell rumbled between the mountains, + the parishioners thought they heard heavy, + half-choked sighs over in the rocks at Kvaerk; + and on Sunday mornings, when the clear-voiced + chimes called them to high-mass, a suppressed + moan would mingle with the sound of the bells, + and die away with the last echo. Lage Ulfson + was not the man to be afraid; yet the church- + bells many a time drove the blood from his cheeks; + for he also heard the moan from the mountain.</p> +<p>The year went, and Asathor returned. If he + had not told his name, however, Lage would not + have recognized him. That a year could work + so great a change in a god, he would hardly + have believed, if his own eyes had not testified + to it. Asathor's cheeks were pale and bloodless, + the lustre of his eye more than half + quenched, and his gray hair hung in disorder + down over his forehead.</p> +<p>"Methinks thou lookest rather poorly to-day," + said Lage.</p> +<p>"It is only those cursed church-bells," answered + the god; "they leave me no rest day or night."</p> +<p>"Aha," thought Lage, "if the king's bells are + mightier than thou, then there is still hope of + safety for my daughter."</p> +<p>"Where is Brynhild, thy daughter?" asked Asathor.</p> +<p>"I know not where she is," answered the + father; and straightway he turned his eyes + toward the golden cross that shone over the + valley from Saint Olaf's steeple, and he called + aloud on the White Christ's name. Then the + god gave a fearful roar, fell on the ground, + writhed and foamed and vanished into the + mountain. In the next moment Lage heard a + hoarse voice crying from within, "I shall return, + Lage Ulfson, when thou shalt least expect me!"</p> +<p>Lage Ulfson then set to work clearing a way + through the forest; and when that was done, he + called all his household together, and told them + of the power of Christ the White. Not long + after he took his sons and his daughter, and + hastened with them southward, until he found + King Olaf. And, so the Saga relates, they all + fell down on their knees before him, prayed for + his forgiveness, and received baptism from the + king's own bishop.</p> +<p>So ends the Saga of Lage Ulfson Kvaerk.</p> +<p> + II.</p> +<p> + Aasa Kvaerk loved her father well, but + especially in the winter. Then, while she sat + turning her spinning-wheel in the light of the + crackling logs, his silent presence always had a + wonderfully soothing and calming effect upon + her. She never laughed then, and seldom wept; + when she felt his eyes resting on her, her + thoughts, her senses, and her whole being + seemed by degrees to be lured from their hiding- + place and concentrate on him; and from him + they ventured again, first timidly, then more + boldly, to grasp the objects around him. At + such times Aasa could talk and jest almost like + other girls, and her mother, to whom "other + girls" represented the ideal of womanly perfection, + would send significant glances, full of hope + and encouragement, over to Lage, and he would + quietly nod in return, as if to say that he + entirely agreed with her. Then Elsie had bright + visions of wooers and thrifty housewives, and + even Lage dreamed of seeing the ancient honor + of the family re-established. All depended on + Aasa. She was the last of the mighty race. + But when summer came, the bright visions fled; + and the spring winds, which to others bring life + and joy, to Kvaerk brought nothing but sorrow. + No sooner had the mountain brooks begun to + swell, than Aasa began to laugh and to weep; + and when the first birches budded up in the + glens, she could no longer be kept at home. + Prayers and threats were equally useless. From + early dawn until evening she would roam about + in forests and fields, and when late at night she + stole into the room and slipped away into some + corner, Lage drew a deep sigh and thought of + the old tradition.</p> +<p>Aasa was nineteen years old before she had a + single wooer. But when she was least expecting it, + the wooer came to her.</p> +<p>It was late one summer night; the young maiden was sitting on the brink of + the ravine, pondering on the old legend and peering down into the deep below. + It was not the first time she had found her way hither, where but seldom a human + foot had dared to tread. To her every alder and bramble-bush, that clothed the + naked wall of the rock, were as familiar as were the knots and veins in the + ceiling of the chamber where from her childhood she had slept; and as she sat + there on the brink of the precipice, the late summer sun threw its red lustre + upon her and upon the fogs that came drifting up from the deep. With her eyes + she followed the drifting masses of fog, and wondered, as they rose higher and + higher, when they would reach her; in her fancy she saw herself dancing over + the wide expanse of heaven, clad in the sun-gilded evening fogs; and Saint Olaf, + the great and holy king, came riding to meet her, mounted on a flaming steed + made of the glory of a thousand sunsets; then Saint Olaf took her hand and lifted + her up, and she sat with him on the flaming steed: but the fog lingered in the + deep below, and as it rose it spread like a thin, half-invisible gauze over + the forests and the fields, and at last vanished into the infinite space. But + hark! a huge stone rolls down over the mountain-side, then another, and another; + the noise grows, the birches down there in the gorge tremble and shake. Aasa + leaned out over the brink of the ravine, and, as far as she could distinguish + anything from her dizzying height, thought she saw something gray creeping slowly + up the neck-breaking mountain path; she watched it for a while, but as it seemed + to advance no farther she again took refuge in her reveries. An hour might have + passed, or perhaps more, when suddenly she heard a noise only a few feet distant, + and, again stooping out over the brink, saw the figure of a man strug- gling + desperately to climb the last great ledge of the rock. With both his hands he + clung to a little birch-tree which stretched its slender arms down over the + black wall, but with every moment that passed seemed less likely to accomplish + the feat. The girl for a while stood watching him with unfeigned curiosity, + then, suddenly reminding herself that the situation to him must be a dangerous + one, seized hold of a tree that grew near the brink, and leaned out over the + rock to give him her assistance. He eagerly grasped her extended hand, and with + a vigorous pull she flung him up on the grassy level, where he remained lying + for a minute or two, apparently utterly unable to account for his sudden ascent, + and gazing around him with a half-frightened, half-bewildered look. Aasa, to + whom his appearance was no less strange than his demeanor, unluckily hit upon + the idea that perhaps her rather violent treatment had momentarily stunned him, + and when, as answer to her sympathizing question if he was hurt, the stranger + abruptly rose to his feet and towered up before her to the formidable height + of six feet four or five, she could no longer master her mirth, but burst out + into a most vehement fit of laughter. He stood calm and silent, and looked at + her with a timid but strangely bitter smile. He was so very different from any + man she had ever seen before; therefore she laughed, not necessarily because + he amused her, but because his whole person was a surprise to her; and there + he stood, tall and gaunt and timid, and said not a word, only gazed and gazed. + His dress was not the national costume of the valley, neither was it like anything + that Aasa had ever known. On his head he wore a cap that hung all on one side, + and was decorated with a long, heavy silk tassel. A threadbare coat, which seemed + to be made expressly not to fit him, hung loosely on his sloping shoulders, + and a pair of gray pantaloons, which were narrow where they ought to have been + wide, and wide where it was their duty to be narrow, extended their service + to a little more than the upper half of the limb, and, by a kind of compromise + with the tops of the boots, managed to protect also the lower half. His features + were delicate, and would have been called handsome had they belonged to a proportionately + delicate body; in his eyes hovered a dreamy vagueness which seemed to come and + vanish, and to flit from one feature to another, suggesting the idea of remoteness, + and a feeling of hopeless strangeness to the world and all its concerns.</p> +<p>"Do I inconvenience you, madam?" were the + first words he uttered, as Aasa in her usual + abrupt manner stayed her laughter, turned her + back on him, and hastily started for the house.</p> +<p>"Inconvenience?" said she, surprised, and + again slowly turned on her heel; "no, not that + I know."</p> +<p>"Then tell me if there are people living here + in the neighborhood, or if the light deceived + me, which I saw from the other side of the river."</p> +<p>"Follow me," answered Aasa, and she na<i:>vely + reached him her hand; "my father's name is + Lage Ulfson Kvaerk; he lives in the large house + you see straight before you, there on the hill; + and my mother lives there too."</p> +<p>And hand in hand they walked together, + where a path had been made between two + adjoining rye-fields; his serious smile seemed to + grow milder and happier, the longer he lingered + at her side, and her eye caught a ray of more + human intelligence, as it rested on him.</p> +<p>"What do you do up here in the long winter?" + asked he, after a pause.</p> +<p>"We sing," answered she, as it were at ran- + dom, because the word came into her mind; + "and what do you do, where you come from?"</p> +<p>"I gather song."</p> +<p>"Have you ever heard the forest sing?" + asked she, curiously.</p> +<p>"That is why I came here."</p> +<p>And again they walked on in silence.</p> +<p>It was near midnight when they entered the + large hall at Kvaerk. Aasa went before, still + leading the young man by the hand. In the + twilight which filled the house, the space + between the black, smoky rafters opened a vague + vista into the region of the fabulous, and every + object in the room loomed forth from the dusk + with exaggerated form and dimensions. The + room appeared at first to be but the haunt of + the spirits of the past; no human voice, no human + footstep, was heard; and the stranger + instinctively pressed the hand he held more + tightly; for he was not sure but that he was + standing on the boundary of dream-land, and some + elfin maiden had reached him her hand to lure + him into her mountain, where he should live + with her forever. But the illusion was of brief + duration; for Aasa's thoughts had taken a + widely different course; it was but seldom she + had found herself under the necessity of making + a decision; and now it evidently devolved upon + her to find the stranger a place of rest for the + night; so instead of an elf-maid's kiss and a + silver palace, he soon found himself huddled into + a dark little alcove in the wall, where he was + told to go to sleep, while Aasa wandered over + to the empty cow-stables, and threw herself down + in the hay by the side of two sleeping milkmaids.</p> +<p> + III.</p> +<p> + There was not a little astonishment manifested + among the servant-maids at Kvaerk the + next morning, when the huge, gaunt figure + of a man was seen to launch forth from Aasa's + alcove, and the strangest of all was, that Aasa + herself appeared to be as much astonished as + the rest. And there they stood, all gazing at + the bewildered traveler, who indeed was no less + startled than they, and as utterly unable to + account for his own sudden apparition. After a + long pause, he summoned all his courage, fixed + his eyes intently on the group of the girls, and + with a few rapid steps advanced toward Aasa, + whom he seized by the hand and asked, "Are + you not my maiden of yester-eve?"</p> +<p>She met his gaze firmly, and laid her hand on + her forehead as if to clear her thoughts; as the + memory of the night flashed through her mind, + a bright smile lit up her features, and she + answered, "You are the man who gathers song. + Forgive me, I was not sure but it was all a + dream; for I dream so much."</p> +<p>Then one of the maids ran out to call Lage + Ulfson, who had gone to the stables to harness + the horses; and he came and greeted the unknown + man, and thanked him for last meeting, + as is the wont of Norse peasants, although they + had never seen each other until that morning. + But when the stranger had eaten two meals in + Lage's house, Lage asked him his name and his + father's occupation; for old Norwegian + hospitality forbids the host to learn the guest's + name before he has slept and eaten under his + roof. It was that same afternoon, when they + sat together smoking their pipes under the huge + old pine in the yard,--it was then Lage inquired + about the young man's name and family; and + the young man said that his name was Trond + Vigfusson, that he had graduated at the + University of Christiania, and that his father had + been a lieutenant in the army; but both he and + Trond's mother had died, when Trond was only + a few years old. Lage then told his guest + Vigfusson something about his family, but of + the legend of Asathor and Saint Olaf he spoke + not a word. And while they were sitting there + talking together, Aasa came and sat down at + Vigfusson's feet; her long golden hair flowed in + a waving stream down over her back and + shoulders, there was a fresh, healthful glow on + her cheeks, and her blue, fathomless eyes had a + strangely joyous, almost triumphant expression. + The father's gaze dwelt fondly upon her, and + the collegian was but conscious of one thought: + that she was wondrously beautiful. And still + so great was his natural timidity and awkwardness + in the presence of women, that it was only + with the greatest difficulty he could master his + first impulse to find some excuse for leaving + her. She, however, was aware of no such restraint.</p> +<p>"You said you came to gather song," she + said; "where do you find it? for I too should + like to find some new melody for my old + thoughts; I have searched so long."</p> +<p>"I find my songs on the lips of the people," + answered he, "and I write them down as the + maidens or the old men sing them."</p> +<p>She did not seem quite to comprehend that. + "Do you hear maidens sing them?" asked she, + astonished. "Do you mean the troll-virgins + and the elf-maidens?"</p> +<p>"By troll-virgins and elf-maidens, or what the + legends call so, I understand the hidden and still + audible voices of nature, of the dark pine forests, + the legend-haunted glades, and the silent + tarns; and this was what I referred to when I + answered your question if I had ever heard the + forest sing."</p> +<p>"Oh, oh!" cried she, delighted, and clapped + her hands like a child; but in another moment + she as suddenly grew serious again, and sat + steadfastly gazing into his eye, as if she were + trying to look into his very soul and there to + find something kindred to her own lonely heart. + A minute ago her presence had embarrassed + him; now, strange to say, he met her eye, and + smiled happily as he met it.</p> +<p>"Do you mean to say that you make your + living by writing songs?" asked Lage.</p> +<p>"The trouble is," answered Vigfusson, "that I make no living + at all; but I have invested a large capital, which is to yield its interest + in the future. There is a treasure of song hidden in every nook and corner of + our mountains and forests, and in our nation's heart. I am one of the miners + who have come to dig it out before time and oblivion shall have buried every + trace of it, and there shall not be even the will-o'-the- wisp of a legend to + hover over the spot, and keep alive the sad fact of our loss and our blamable + negligence."</p> +<p>Here the young man paused; his eyes gleamed, + his pale cheeks flushed, and there was a + warmth and an enthusiasm in his words which + alarmed Lage, while on Aasa it worked like the + most potent charm of the ancient mystic runes; + she hardly comprehended more than half of the + speaker's meaning, but his fire and eloquence + were on this account none the less powerful.</p> +<p>"If that is your object," remarked Lage, "I + think you have hit upon the right place in + coming here. You will be able to pick up many an + odd bit of a story from the servants and others + hereabouts, and you are welcome to stay here + with us as long as you choose."</p> +<p>Lage could not but attribute to Vigfusson the + merit of having kept Aasa at home a whole day, + and that in the month of midsummer. And + while he sat there listening to their conversation, + while he contemplated the delight that + beamed from his daughter's countenance and, as + he thought, the really intelligent expression of + her eyes, could he conceal from himself the pa- + ternal hopes that swelled his heart? She was + all that was left him, the life or the death of his + mighty race. And here was one who was likely + to understand her, and to whom she seemed + willing to yield all the affection of her warm + but wayward heart. Thus ran Lage Ulfson's + reflections; and at night he had a little consultation + with Elsie, his wife, who, it is needless to + add, was no less sanguine than he.</p> +<p>"And then Aasa will make an excellent housewife, + you know," observed Elsie. "I will speak + to the girl about it to-morrow."</p> +<p>"No, for Heaven's sake, Elsie!" exclaimed + Lage, "don't you know your daughter better + than that? Promise me, Elsie, that you will + not say a single word; it would be a cruel thing, + Elsie, to mention anything to her. She is not + like other girls, you know."</p> +<p>"Very well, Lage, I shall not say a single + word. Alas, you are right, she is not like other + girls." And Elsie again sighed at her husband's + sad ignorance of a woman's nature, and at the + still sadder fact of her daughter's inferiority to + the accepted standard of womanhood.</p> +<p></p> +<p>IV.</p> +<p> + Trond Vigfusson must have made a rich + harvest of legends at Kvaerk, at least judging by + the time he stayed there; for days and weeks + passed, and he had yet said nothing of going. + Not that anybody wished him to go; no, on the + contrary, the longer he stayed the more + indispensable he seemed to all; and Lage Ulfson + could hardly think without a shudder of the + possibility of his ever having to leave them. + For Aasa, his only child, was like another being + in the presence of this stranger; all that weird, + forest-like intensity, that wild, half supernatural + tinge in her character which in a measure + excluded her from the blissful feeling of fellowship + with other men, and made her the strange, + lonely creature she was,--all this seemed to vanish + as dew in the morning sun when Vigfusson's + eyes rested upon her; and with every day that + passed, her human and womanly nature gained + a stronger hold upon her. She followed him + like his shadow on all his wanderings, and when + they sat down together by the wayside, she + would sing, in a clear, soft voice, an ancient lay + or ballad, and he would catch her words on his + paper, and smile at the happy prospect of + perpetuating what otherwise would have been lost. + Aasa's love, whether conscious or not, was to + him an everlasting source of strength, was a + revelation of himself to himself, and a clearing + and widening power which brought ever more + and more of the universe within the scope of + his vision. So they lived on from day to day + and from week to week, and, as old Lage + remarked, never had Kvaerk been the scene of so + much happiness. Not a single time during + Vigfusson's stay had Aasa fled to the forest, not a + meal had she missed, and at the hours for + family devotion she had taken her seat at the + big table with the rest and apparently listened + with as much attention and interest. Indeed, + all this time Aasa seemed purposely to avoid the + dark haunts of the woods, and, whenever she + could, chose the open highway; not even + Vigfusson's entreaties could induce her to tread the + tempting paths that led into the forest's gloom.</p> +<p>"And why not, Aasa?" he would say; "summer + is ten times summer there when the drowsy + noonday spreads its trembling maze of shadows + between those huge, venerable trunks. You can + feel the summer creeping into your very heart + and soul, there!"</p> +<p>"Oh, Vigfusson," she would answer, shaking + her head mournfully, "for a hundred paths that + lead in, there is only one that leads out again, + and sometimes even that one is nowhere to be found."</p> +<p>He understood her not, but fearing to ask, he + remained silent.</p> +<p>His words and his eyes always drew her nearer + and nearer to him; and the forest and its + strange voices seemed a dark, opposing influence, + which strove to take possession of her + heart and to wrest her away from him forever; + she helplessly clung to him; every thought and + emotion of her soul clustered about him, and every + hope of life and happiness was staked on him.</p> +<p>One evening Vigfusson and old Lage Ulfson + had been walking about the fields to look at the + crop, both smoking their evening pipes. But + as they came down toward the brink whence + the path leads between the two adjoining rye- + fields, they heard a sweet, sad voice crooning + some old ditty down between the birch-trees at + the precipice; they stopped to listen, and soon + recognized Aasa's yellow hair over the tops + the rye; the shadow as of a painful emotion + flitted over the father's countenance, and he + turned his back on his guest and started to go; + then again paused, and said, imploringly, "Try + to get her home if you can, friend Vigfusson.'</p> +<p>Vigfusson nodded, and Lage went; the song had ceased for a moment, now it began + again:</p> +<p>"Ye twittering birdlings, in forest and glen <br> +<p>I have heard you so gladly before; <br> +<p>But a bold knight hath come to woo me, <br> +<p>I dare listen to you no more. <br> +<p>For it is so dark, so dark in the forest. <br> +<p>"And the knight who hath come a-wooing to me, <br> +<p>He calls me his love and his own; <br> +<p>Why then should I stray through the darksome woods, <br> +<p>Or dream in the glades alone? <br> +<p>For it is so dark, so dark in the forest." +<p><br> +<p>Her voice fell to a low unintelligible murmur; then it rose, and the last verses + came, clear, soft, and low, drifting on the evening breeze:</p> +<p> "Yon beckoning world, that shimmering lay <br> +<p>O'er the woods where the old pines grow, <br> +<p>That gleamed through the moods of the summer day <br> +<p>When the breezes were murmuring low <br> +<p>(And it is so dark, so dark in the forest);<br> +<p> "Oh let me no more in the sunshine hear <br> +<p>Its quivering noonday call; <br> +<p>The bold knight's love is the sun of my heart-- <br> +<p>Is my life, and my all in all. <br> +<p>But it is so dark, so dark in the forest." +<p><br> +<p>The young man felt the blood rushing to his + face--his heart beat violently. There was a + keen sense of guilt in the blush on his cheek, a + loud accusation in the throbbing pulse and the + swelling heart-beat. Had he not stood there behind + the maiden's back and cunningly peered + into her soul's holy of holies? True, he loved + Aasa; at least he thought he did, and the + conviction was growing stronger with every day + that passed. And now he had no doubt that he + had gained her heart. It was not so much the + words of the ballad which had betrayed the + secret; he hardly knew what it was, but somehow + the truth had flashed upon him, and he could + no longer doubt.</p> +<p>Vigfusson sat down on the moss-grown rock + and pondered. How long he sat there he did + not know, but when he rose and looked around, + Aasa was gone. Then remembering her father's + request to bring her home, he hastened up the + hill-side toward the mansion, and searched for + her in all directions. It was near midnight + when he returned to Kvaerk, where Aasa sat in + her high gable window, still humming the weird + melody of the old ballad.</p> +<p>By what reasoning Vigfusson arrived at his + final conclusion is difficult to tell. If he had + acted according to his first and perhaps most + generous impulse, the matter would soon have + been decided; but he was all the time possessed + of a vague fear of acting dishonorably, and it + was probably this very fear which made him do + what, to the minds of those whose friendship + and hospitality he had accepted, had something + of the appearance he wished so carefully to + avoid. Aasa was rich; he had nothing; it was + a reason for delay, but hardly a conclusive one. + They did not know him; he must go out in the + world and prove himself worthy of her. He + would come back when he should have compelled + the world to respect him; for as yet he had done + nothing. In fact, his arguments were good and + honorable enough, and there would have been + no fault to find with him, had the object of his + love been as capable of reasoning as he was + himself. But Aasa, poor thing, could do nothing + by halves; a nature like hers brooks no delay; + to her love was life or it was death.</p> +<p>The next morning he appeared at breakfast + with his knapsack on his back, and otherwise + equipped for his journey. It was of no use that + Elsie cried and begged him to stay, that Lage + joined his prayers to hers, and that Aasa stood + staring at him with a bewildered gaze. Vigfusson + shook hands with them all, thanked them for their + kindness to him, and promised to return; + he held Aasa's hand long in his, but when + he released it, it dropped helplessly at her side.</p> +<p> + V.</p> +<p> + Far up in the glen, about a mile from Kvaerk, + ran a little brook; that is, it was little in summer + and winter, but in the spring, while the snow + was melting up in the mountains, it overflowed + the nearest land and turned the whole glen into + a broad and shallow river. It was easy to cross, + however; a light foot might jump from stone to + stone, and be over in a minute. Not the hind + herself could be lighter on her foot than Aasa + was; and even in the spring-flood it was her + wont to cross and recross the brook, and to sit + dreaming on a large stone against which the + water broke incessantly, rushing in white + torrents over its edges.</p> +<p>Here she sat one fair summer day--the day after Vigfusson's departure. It was + noon, and the sun stood high over the forest. The water murmured and murmured, + babbled and whispered, until at length there came a sudden unceasing tone into + its murmur, then another, and it sounded like a faint whispering song of small + airy beings. And as she tried to listen, to fix the air in her mind, it all + ceased again, and she heard but the monotonous murmuring of the brook. Everything + seemed so empty and worthless, as if that faint melody had been the world of + the moment. But there it was again; it sung and sung, and the birch overhead + took up the melody and rustled it with its leaves, and the grasshopper over + in the grass caught it and whirred it with her wings. The water, the trees, + the air, were full of it. What a strange melody! </p> +<p>Aasa well knew that every brook and river + has its Neck, besides hosts of little water-sprites. + She had heard also that in the moonlight at + midsummer, one might chance to see them + rocking in bright little shells, playing among + the pebbles, or dancing on the large leaves of + the water-lily. And that they could sing also, + she doubted not; it was their voices she heard + through the murmuring of the brook. Aasa + eagerly bent forward and gazed down into the + water: the faint song grew louder, paused + suddenly, and sprang into life again; and its sound + was so sweet, so wonderfully alluring! Down + there in the water, where a stubborn pebble + kept chafing a precipitous little side current, + clear tiny pearl-drops would leap up from the + stream, and float half-wonderingly downward + from rapid to rapid, until they lost themselves + in the whirl of some stronger current. Thus + sat Aasa and gazed and gazed, and in one moment + she seemed to see what in the next moment + she saw not. Then a sudden great hush stole + through the forest, and in the hush she could + hear the silence calling her name. It was so + long since she had been in the forest, it seemed + ages and ages ago. She hardly knew herself; + the light seemed to be shining into her eyes as + with a will and purpose, perhaps to obliterate + something, some old dream or memory, or to + impart some new power--the power of seeing + the unseen. And this very thought, this fear of + some possible loss, brought the fading memory + back, and she pressed her hands against her + throbbing temples as if to bind and chain it + there forever; and it was he to whom her + thought returned. She heard his voice, saw + him beckoning to her to follow him, and she + rose to obey, but her limbs were as petrified, + and the stone on which she was sitting held her + with the power of a hundred strong arms. The + sunshine smote upon her eyelids, and his name + was blotted out from her life; there was nothing + but emptiness all around her. Gradually + the forest drew nearer and nearer, the water + bubbled and rippled, and the huge, bare- + stemmed pines stretched their long gnarled + arms toward her. The birches waved their + heads with a wistful nod, and the profile of the + rock grew into a face with a long, hooked nose, + and a mouth half open as if to speak. And the + word that trembled on his lips was, "Come." + She felt no fear nor reluctance, but rose to obey. + Then and not until then she saw an old man + standing at her side; his face was the face of + the rock, his white beard flowed to his girdle, + and his mouth was half open, but no word + came from his lips. There was something in + the wistful look of his eye which she knew so + well, which she had seen so often, although she + could not tell when or where. The old man + extended his hand; Aasa took it, and fearlessly + or rather spontaneously followed. They + approached the steep, rocky wall; as they drew + near, a wild, fierce laugh rang through the + forest. The features of the old man were twisted + as it were into a grin; so also were the features + of the rock; but the laugh blew like a mighty + blast through the forest.</p> +<p>Aasa clung to the old man's hand and followed + him--she knew not whither.</p> +<p>At home in the large sitting-room at Kvaerk + sat Lage, brooding over the wreck of his hopes + and his happiness. Aasa had gone to the woods + again the very first day after Vigfusson's + departure. What would be the end of all this? + It was already late in the evening, and she had + not returned. The father cast anxious glances + toward the door, every time he heard the latch + moving. At last, when it was near midnight, he + roused all his men from their sleep, and + commanded them to follow him. Soon the dusky + forests resounded far and near with the blast + of horns, the report of guns, and the calling and + shouting of men. The affrighted stag crossed + and recrossed the path of the hunters, but not a + rifle was leveled at its head. Toward morning-- + it was before the sun had yet risen--Lage, + weary and stunned, stood leaning up against a + huge fir. Then suddenly a fierce, wild laugh + rang through the forest. Lage shuddered, + raised his hand slowly and pressed it hard + against his forehead, vainly struggling to clear + his thoughts. The men clung fearfully + together; a few of the more courageous ones drew + their knives and made the sign of the cross with + them in the air. Again the same mad laugh + shook the air, and swept over the crowns of the + pine-trees. Then Lage lifted his eyes toward + heaven and wrung his hands: for the awful + truth stood before him. He remained a long + while leaning against that old fir as in a dead + stupor; and no one dared to arouse him. A + suppressed murmur reached the men's ears. + "But deliver us from evil" were the last words + they heard.</p> +<p>When Lage and his servants came home to + Kvaerk with the mournful tidings of Aasa's + disappearance, no one knew what to do or say. + There could be no doubt that Aasa was "mountain- + taken," as they call it; for there were Trolds + and dwarfs in all the rocks and forests round + about, and they would hardly let slip the chance + of alluring so fair a maiden as Aasa was into + their castles in the mountains. Elsie, her + mother, knew a good deal about the Trolds, + their tricks, and their way of living, and when + she had wept her fill, she fell to thinking of + the possibility of regaining her daughter from + their power. If Aasa had not yet tasted of food + or drink in the mountain, she was still out of + danger; and if the pastor would allow the + church-bell to be brought up into the forest and + rung near the rock where the laugh had been + heard, the Trolds could be compelled to give + her back. No sooner had this been suggested + to Lage, than the command was given to muster + the whole force of men and horses, and before + evening on the same day the sturdy swains of + Kvaerk were seen climbing the tower of the + venerable church, whence soon the huge old bell + descended, to the astonishment of the throng + of curious women and children who had flocked + together to see the extraordinary sight. It was + laid upon four large wagons, which had been + joined together with ropes and planks, and + drawn away by twelve strong horses. Long + after the strange caravan had vanished in the + twilight, the children stood gazing up into the + empty bell-tower.</p> +<p>It was near midnight, when Lage stood at the + steep, rocky wall in the forest; the men were + laboring to hoist the church-bell up to a staunch + cross-beam between two mighty fir-trees, and + in the weird light of their torches, the wild + surroundings looked wilder and more fantastic. + Anon, the muffled noise and bustle of the work + being at an end, the laborers withdrew, and a + strange, feverish silence seemed to brood over + the forest. Lage took a step forward, and + seized the bell-rope; the clear, conquering toll + of the metal rung solemnly through the silence, + and from the rocks, the earth, and the tree- + tops, rose a fierce chorus of howls, groans, and + screams. All night the ringing continued; the + old trees swayed to and fro, creaked, and + groaned, the roots loosened their holds in the + fissures of the rock, and the bushy crowns + bowed low under their unwonted burden.</p> +<p>It was well-nigh morn, but the dense fog still + brooded over the woods, and it was dark as + night. Lage was sitting on the ground, his + head leaning on both his elbows; at his side lay + the flickering torch, and the huge bell hung + dumb overhead. In the dark he felt a hand + touch his shoulder; had it happened only a few + hours before, he would have shuddered; now + the physical sensation hardly communicated + itself to his mind, or, if it did, had no power to + rouse him from his dead, hopeless apathy. + Suddenly--could he trust his own ears?--the + church-bell gave a slow, solemn, quivering + stroke, and the fogs rolled in thick masses to + the east and to the west, as if blown by the + breath of the sound. Lage seized his torch, + sprang to his feet, and saw--Vigfusson. He + stretched his arm with the blazing torch closer + to the young man's face, stared at him with + large eyes, and his lip quivered; but he could + not utter a word.</p> +<p>"Vigfusson?" faltered he at last.</p> +<p>"It is I;" and the second stroke followed, + stronger and more solemn than the first. The + same fierce, angry voices chorused forth from + every nook of the rock and the woods. Then + came the third--the noise grew; fourth--and it + sounded like a hoarse, angry hiss; when the + twelfth stroke fell, silence reigned again in the + forest. Vigfusson dropped the bell-rope, and + with a loud voice called Lage Kvaerk and his + men. He lit a torch, held it aloft over his head, + and peered through the dusky night. The men + spread through the highlands to search for the + lost maiden; Lage followed close in Vigfusson's + footsteps. They had not walked far when they + heard the babbling of the brook only a few feet + away. Thither they directed their steps. On + a large stone in the middle of the stream the + youth thought he saw something white, like a + large kerchief. Quick as thought he was at + its side, bowed down with his torch, and--fell + backward. It was Aasa, his beloved, cold and + dead; but as the father stooped over his dead + child the same mad laugh echoed wildly throughout + the wide woods, but madder and louder + than ever before, and from the rocky wall came + a fierce, broken voice:</p> +<p>"I came at last."</p> +<p> + When, after an hour of vain search, the men + returned to the place whence they had started, + they saw a faint light flickering between the + birches not fifty feet away; they formed a firm + column, and with fearful hearts drew nearer. + There lay Lage Kvaerk, their master, still + bending down over his child's pale features, and + staring into her sunken eyes as if he could not + believe that she were really dead. And at his + side stood Vigfusson, pale and aghast, with the + burning torch in his hand. The footsteps of + the men awakened the father, but when he + turned his face on them they shuddered and + started back. Then Lage rose, lifted the maiden + from the stone, and silently laid her in + Vigfusson's arms; her rich yellow hair flowed down + over his shoulder. The youth let his torch fall + into the waters, and with a sharp, serpent-like + hiss its flame was quenched. He crossed the + brook; the men followed, and the dark pine-trees + closed over the last descendant of Lage Ulfson's + mighty race.</p> +<p></p> +<p></p> +<p>End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Tales From Two Hemispheres</p> +<p> +</p> +<pre> +***The Project Gutenberg Etext of Tales From Two Hemispheres** +*****This file should be named twohe10h.htm or twohe10h.zip***** + +Corrected EDITIONS of our etexts get a new NUMBER, twohe11.htm +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, twohe10ha.htm + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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