7ML DLACAK

how hard it is for him to breathe ! No, no'! I'he Black Virgin has never spared a victim ! My poor Axel !”

“ Do not say that the Black Virgin is un- relenting,” said Christian, gravely. “Why should T not tell you something which probably no one in the village knows? 7 was spared by the Black Virgin ! T was as 1 as your brother, but my father, a bold and vigorous seaman, went on the night of Christmas Eve to the Virgin herself, in her chapel, and she heard his prayer: for she can refuse nothing to those who manage to reach her on that night. FFrom that moment my strength returned, and I got welly to the great astonishment of the whole village.”

Imda’s cyes sparkled ; her look, usually gentle and tender, became cner- getic and determined,

• Thank you, Christian,”

she said; “your advice is good, and T will go to- morrow to the black rock.”

“Alas! " sighed Christian, “Itis uscless to think about it This vear the Baltic is not completely frozen, and you would be obliged to cross an arm ol the sea in which no boat could he taken with safety, on ac- count ol the enormous blocks of ice which are oating about. A large boat would be crushed by the icebergs within a few minutes: how could you hope to succeed in a small one?

“ I will dare anything to save Axel |7 |

Christian - and Robert then endeavoured to convinee her of madness o the undertaking. At first she would not listen to their arguments @ hut alter o time, without entirely yielding, she seemed to regard them as irefutable.

v et us say good-hye il to-morrow,” she sard, rising from her seat.

Robert was the last to leave. s he went out he kissed her forchead tenderly. = Ay Irida, T love vou, I love you!”

the

he eried. “Swear to me, Irida, dear,” he added, * that, whatever happens, you will never forget me —never !

“ Never, never, Robert, dear ! she rephed,

CHOW COULD 1 FORGET you *"

VRGN, 583

“Am I

How could T forget

resting her head on his shoulder. not wholly yours ? vou?”

• Come, hurry up |7 exclaimed old Chris-

tian from outside. “VYou cvidently forget that T am waiting, and that it is very cold.”

And the lovers separated.

During the evening, when Trida was alonc she thought over what Robert had said bhefore he Teft her, and wondered why he had spoken such sad words. What did he intend to do ?

Little by little she understood. Yes o there was no doubt about it, Robert had resolved to go to the rock to beg the Black Virgin Lo sparc Axel. Why, jt was certain death to try it Axel was dear to her, but Robert must not he allowed to sacrifice him- self for Axel, and sacrifice himself uselessly 1 for all that had been said about the Virgin was only an idle, childish superstition. Christian - had related a circumstance which proved nothing. No, Robert must not risk his lifc !

All night Tong I'rida sat at the bedside of Axel, who slumbered with half-closed cves. She did not sleep ; she pondered over Robert's words, “Swear to me that, whatever happens, vou will never forget me ! and she could still sce fixed upon her the bold, proud, and

tender look of the man she loved. The next morning - it B was Christimas Iove—Irida

went out to find Robert, “Robert,” she said, Canswer me frankly, ] know vou, and 1 know that you are meap- able of telling a lie. "Tell me, Robert, do vou think ol going to the rock to-night ? 7 Robert lowered his head and said nothing. SEowill not have 047 ccontinued Frida “ Do vou hear? 1T will not allow it! You have no right to risk your life in that way. Are vou not the sole support of your old [ather? What would become of hint without vou? And do you think that 7 could live without your love, without your dear presence, espectally if my silly superstition were the divect cause of your death? Hark how the wind howls ! We seldom have such a gale