58.4 171l STRAND

as this, and the sea yonder 1s raging. It you attempt 1t, Robert, I will never f()wn e you ! See, how unnmal such an attempt would be. You cannot save Axel--for

Christian’s story 1s absurd and vou will perish before reaching the rock, and 1 should Le miserable for the mst of my hfe)

Robert promised her everything, but he did it without rcally comprchending what he was aomg. He (ml knew one thing: he mtht not make Irida unh: PPy

“Tet us go and see Axel,” he said.

Axcl was rather feverish that day. There was a ring in his voice, and his ips trembled. He motioned to Robert and I'nda to sit down by his side, and he took Robert’s hand and Tridas hand.

“You will he t()g(;thcl‘,"‘ he o sand, the Black Virgin has taken me away.”

I'rida could not restraan her tears, and she sobbed bitterly. As for Robert, he knelt by the bedside, Kissed the boy's thin hands, and rushed out of the cottage.

During the winter, night falls about two o'clock 1 Finland. Without thinking, with- out a glanee backwards, Robert hurred to the beach, A wide stretch of snow-covered ice Tay before hins ina very short time he had crossed it Fle knew that a boat was moored to an islet some distance from the beach, and believed that from this pomnt the sea was free, or nearly so. He could not bhear to think of I'rida’s grict. e must get

“when

MAGAZINYI.

However, near the islet the sea appeared pretty calm. The black rock did not scem to he so faroff. @ Inan hour,” thought Robert, “with the help of this favourable wind, 1 should reach the rock. Why should I not do the same as Christian’s father did 2 1 promised I'rida that I would not go: but il thanks to me, Axel should be restored 10 hultl she will pardon me. After ally 1t ois hetter 1o struggle heroteally agamst the waves and the blocks of ice, like a brave scaman, than to stand by powerless and fearful, and watch the acony of a child an.1 the despair of o woman.”

All these thoughts passed rapidly through Robert's mind. Take all men of action, he acted quickly, and, before he really knew what he was he found himscll in the Loat with the sail spread to the wind, holding e rudder with a firm hand as he set the boat's head to the rock.

T'he force ol the wind nearly overturned the Boat, but she nighted herself gallantly and rode on the crest of the waves. Lnor- mous blocks of e deifred silentdy past Tike cicantic phantoms, Robert skilfully avouding them. Many times the Tittle eraft was on the point of being sunk, but Robert was one of the most vigorous satlors of - Licdsmarken, and he was nerved to his task by the thought of how much depended upon his the tock, Were not the Tife of Axel and the happiness of Irida at stake 2 What Joy

there would be when he returned !

I~ UHE

awav fron it He would go to the islet. but would not get into the boat—it would be certain death, for the wind was ficreely, lmmu the snowflakes before it i a blinding - Shower, and precipitating the blocks of 1ce agamst cach other with arcat force.

blowing

SITDHSE o THE GALLL

In the midst of the gaie, blinded Byt snowflakes, his boat recling halt overs s existence threatencd every minute by the cigantic blocks of 1ce which drifted around hitn, Robert went bravely ons upheld By the thought of the welcome he would recenve