Eric And Alma

The wateríall of Sarp rushes over the stoep chffs aud plunges iuto the depths beiow, proelaiiniug iu tones of thunder, lts tuight and majesty, and challenging the idmiratiün oí the world. Many yoars ago there dwelt, on either side of the falls, a youth and a maiden ; both were fair and of noble birth ; each was an only child, and both were the idols of their parents. The falla were not the only barrier which divided theni ; a bitter feud had existed between their families for generai iuhs, and although the time was now passed ior their hatred to break forth in upen hoatiliity, the tire smouldered in their breasts, and was continually fanned by pride and jealously. Both were wealthy and powerful, and each emulous of the other. The youth and the inaiden partook of the enmity of their respective families, but in a milder degree, for each had a lingeriug inemory of having in early childhoud played on the banks of the Siirp Palls, gazing at each other across the waters, throwing shells and flowers intothe stream, and niingling their laughter as they saw them disappear in tha white fuam. Fate seemed to have decreed that they should never meet, for years rolled on, and they were as far apart as ever. The name of the youth was Eric. He was tall and strong ; his hair iw light, and his eyes were blue, he was brave and tiardy, aud a worthy descendant of a bold Vikiug. His nature was noble, and he gave with a genorous hand to the poor. He was beloved by all who knew him. The name of the maiden' was Alma. - She, too, wes greatly beloved. She was merry and bright, aud her eyes and hair were as black as the cliffs, which often echoed with her laughter. Her presence shed a brightness through the gloomy halls other father, and many guests caine there, attracted by her charms. Her admirtTs were countless, but she had no lover, for among her'train of suit urs, although some were of high rank and others of vast estates, not oue could awaken a response in her heart. The fauie of her wit and beauty reached the ear of Ene, and he couceived an ardent desire to meet her, and, notwithstanding the dislike with which he regarded her family, and the dangers to which his heart would be exposed, he determined to carry out his wish. Eric waittd long and patieutly for a Favorable opportunity, but as none presented itself, he was about to resort to ome incautious means, when he was askjd to attend a wedding to which most of he honorable families of the neighbornood were iuvitbd. He went with the hope of meeting Alna, and was not disappointed in seeing jer. But alas ! the tiist giance of her Dlack eyes was nearly fatal. The proud youth, who had hitherto Deen almost insensible to témale charms, (vas suddenly enthralled. He did not ;ake part in the festivities, but stood watching the gay scène, vainly endeavorng to preserve a haughty, unconcerned lir, lest his agitation should be perceived, is he was the objeot of much attention. But the cheeks would flush, and his lips ;remble, when his eyes met those of Alna, who seeined likewise affected, for the ittraction was mutual. All that evening ihey were in each other's presence, but iit'ither spoke a word, neither approached the other, and yet their eyes told volumes. The image of one was eugraven on the tieart of the other, never to be erased. The marriage festival ended, and Eric ind Alma returued to their homes with heatt and brain in commotion. Time passed, but it had no power to stifle the tander sentiment which had so suddenly sprung up in their hearts One day, while Eric wandered in the forest not far trom the home of Alma, his aars were arrested by the strains of a merry song. There was something in the tone of the voice that fascinated him, and he paused to listen. " ü'er the land, and o'er the sea, My brave lover comes to me, I will sing a jubilee, i'or my sweetheart I shall see, Tra, la, la ! Tra, la, la ! Eric did not wait to hear more, but rushed eagerly forward, and the sight of her whom he sought soon met his gaze. But, ah, how lovely ! Perched upon a rock like a bird, she sat strewing leaves and flowers on the ground at her foet, and making the woods ring with her sweet voice. He had seen her at a large assemblage, dressed in stately robes, and carrying herself with the dignity of a high-born lady. What a contrast was here ! In his imagiuation she now resembled a graceful wood-nymph, and his eyos beamed with admiration. No sooner did she become aware of his presence than her song abruptly ceased, and her cheeks crimsoned with confusión. She hastily aróse and descended the rock. With great embarrassment he tendered his a88Ístance. When she had reached the ground, he detained her hand and asked hesitatingly, - ' Was that song meant for me f ' Yes, though 1 did not dreain you were so near.' They stood silent for a long wbile ; she did not withdraw bcr hand, and he had uot power to unclasp it. All at once she raised her eyes to his and usked in a solemn voice,- ' Do you know who I am '{' ' Yes, you are the daugliter of in y father's entuiy.' 'And you are the son of my fathcr's eneuiy.' ' But Alma and I are not at enmity V No, Eric.' ' Then why cannot our friendship stretch over the breach which has divided our iamilies tor so long a time 't The moment 1 set toot upoii your father's domain to-day, I vowed that all ill-will toward your house should be forever extiuct in my bosom.' ' My father has done your father no wrong, and if our aucestors have injured one auother, they have no doubt settled their accounts in another world. I, too, have vowed to harbor no ill-will toward xrntiT fit rr i I r 1 Theu, darling, let us seal our vows with a kiss.' They did so, and from that instant a new world opened belore them. Huurs passed, but they were unconseious oí the llight of time uutil eveniug began to darken the eartb, when with inany sweet furewells, they parted thougb not torever, tor they had proniised to meet ou the saine spot beioie inany days. Montbs passed, and tbey continued to meet in the woods. ïbeir iove was a secret to ali save theuiseves, and they guarded it with care, else tbey would have been rudely separated. These stolen ïntercour8es were the most delicious inoiiients of their lives, but, like every other delighti'ul period, it wus destined to end. Tüe parents of Alma had cbosen a husband tor her - a wealthy noble -and the day appoiuted tor ber wedding was not lar disutnt. Eric learued the tatal news, and was attacked witb a dangeroua tever. in delirium he confessfid his love tor Alma and declaied be would wed her or die. - The iatnily was astomshed at the inlelligeuce. Betore his serious illness took place they perceived a change in him, but they had never suspected the cause. The father listeued in terror to the passiuiiate appeals oí his son, and tried to persuade bimselt' tbat they were merely the wandenngs of a disordered intellect, and that on reoovery he would disavow all that he had said during kis ïlluess. But he grew no better. The lever increased until his lite was despaired of. When Alma. discovered that her lover was on the point of death, she becaine so distracted by griet' that her parents were alarmed lest sae should lose her reason. Notwithstanding the danger of their childreu, the parents eould not be prevailed upon to meet on friendly terms ; their aversión appeared to be stronger than Xheii pareu tal love. Erio did not die, and in proportion as he regained his health, Alma rocovered her trauquillity of mind. Theyouth, in time, acquainted his father with his love tor his rival's daughter. The tather enraged at the possibility of thèir uniting in Wüdlock, doclared that if such an event should oonie to pass he would disinherit him. Eric expeoted an angry outburst from his father, but coufident of his influenoe over him, he hoped to induce him to yielrl at last to his wishes. But he was disappointed. His father reinained inexoraole. Alma was equally unsuocessful in softening the heai ts of her parents ; they had uhosen a bridegroom tor her, and they were resolved she should abide by their choice. Her wedding was nearing rapidly, and giand preparations were begun for the event. She was coustantly under the vigilauee of au attendant, and was in consequence prevented froniseeing Eric, who heard, with an aehiiig heart, of the arrangements which were being made for her marriago. ïhe day arrived. The guestsassembled, and everything was tb readiness for the occasion. All were airayed in festive attire ; all hearts were light and merry, aud eager to partake of the marriage feast, aud to drink to the health and hap pinesa of the bride and bridegrooni. But their joy aud hilarity canie to anabrupt pause. The bride was missing ! Contusión prevailed. No one could teil her whereabouts, for uo one had seen a tiny little boat sail quietly across the stream, and Jand near the wiudow of her chainber, nor a youth alight, aud cali, in a low voice, the name of Alma ; no one had seeu the bride appear and spring joyfully into bis arms. Wheu they did behold her, she was clasped in the last embrace of her lover, sailing down the stream toward the falls, onward to a certain death ! Not all the prayers and críes of their repontant parents could save them ; they vanished in the foain, and the gloomy rocks around echoed the mournful words 'Too late ! too late P