A stronger
gust still; as if the western storm which had strewn those dead over
the sea wished to deface the very inscriptions which kept their names
in memory with the living.
Gaud looked with involuntary persistency at an empty space upon the
wall which seemed to yawn expectant. By a terrible impression, she was
pursued by the thought of a fresh slab which might soon perhaps be
placed there,--with another name which she did not even dare think of
in such a spot.
She felt cold, and remained seated on the granite bench, her head
reclining against the stone wall.
NEAR THE NORDEN-FJORD
In the storm of the 4th and 5th of August, 1880
at the age of 23 years
_Requiescat in pace_!
Then Iceland loomed up before her, with its little cemetery lighted up
from below the sea-line by the midnight sun. Suddenly, in the same
empty space on the wall, with horrifying clearness she saw the fresh
slab she was thinking of; a clear white one, with a skull and
crossbones, and in a flash of foresight a name,--the worshiped name of
"Yann Gaos"! Then she suddenly and fearfully drew herself up straight
and stiff, with a hoarse wild cry in her throat like a mad creature.
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