The Waif of the Cynthia""

o him, and in the presence of Katrina, O

ation, if you wish to continue your studies. But this letter also requires you to decide for yourself, whether you will accept this offer, or remain with us at Noroe, which we would li

ng, she took the hand of Erik and pressed it to her heart, as if pro

ou home when you were only eight or nine months old. God is my witness that we never intended to tell you this, and neither my wife nor myself have ever made t

had heard, both uttered a cry of astonishment. Then they put their arms aroun

ithout trying to conceal his emotion, he

me Katrina arose, and going to the oaken chest, brought out the garments that the baby had worn, and showed him also the coral which had been fastened around his neck. The story was naturally so full of dramatic interest to the children, that they forgot for a time, at least, how sad it was. They l

herself dressed him in these little garments, and more than once shook the coral before the eyes of the baby to m

e perished? Was she weeping for her lost son, or must the

se reflections, with his head bent, but a wo

ur child," she cried, d

de displayed on all their faces, Erik felt as if his heart was melting within him. In a moment he realized his situation, and saw vividly the scene which his father had described. The cradle abandoned to the mercy of the waves, rescued by the hardy fisherman, and carried to his wife; an

e felt eager on his part to repay by some devotion the tenderness which they had shown to him. He resolved to stay with them

and tell him that I have chosen to remain with you. I will be a fisherman, like you, father, and like Otto. Since you have given me a place at your fireside, I would prefer to

na, pressing Erik to her heart in

their books," said Mr. Hersebom, not understanding

t talk about it any more, but only try t

eyes humid with happiness, and vo

former dreams of work, and of the career which he had renounced. But still he expe

as placed me. If I have sometimes felt ambitious to take a higher position in the world, was it not that I might be able to assist them? Since it makes them happy to have me with them

ing in his little cradle on the waves. What country did he belong to? Who were his parents? Were

vity. It was at this time, as the reader doubtless remembers, that they had agreed to deci

ly pursuing his researches in England, writing to the maritime agencies, and multiplying his adverti

the subject, and contented himself with occasionally admiring the beaut

rs, while he looked at the book, the doctor correctly interpreted t

e Pliny will look beside his elegant

less than ever, if his unfortunate

ow obliged to submit the question to the im

had confessed in his letter to Mr. Hersebom, that his investigations had been without result. Nothing had occurred to throw any light on

t, an English vessel, for there are at least seventeen ships bearing this name registered at Lloyd's. As for ethnographical characteristics, they are clearly Celtic. My hypothesis, therefore, as to the nationality of Erik is victoriously confirmed. I am more than ever certain that he is of Irish extraction as I at first surmised.

The professor did not betray the embarrassment which might have been expected. He would have certainly felt miserable if the doctor had urged any incontrovertible argument, which would have compelled him to decide in favor of one or the other. Hi

usive. I do not hesitate to confess that if I were called upon to give an opinion as to Erik's nationality, I should say that he was Irish. But to decide the bet in question we require something more than probabilities; we must have facts to guide us. The chances so far greatly favor the opinion of Dr. Schwaryencrona, but Bredejo

his dissatisfaction. As for Mr. Bre

not verified his opinions sufficiently for you to say positively that he has won the bet, although you think that all the probabil

by this sudden attack. "Upon my word I do not know. I wo

ner pocket of his coat, and taking out a case from which he selected a letter inclosed i

ntrovert," he added, placing the letter

redejord,

K, Octob

f the 5th instant, I hasten to

of the Canadian General Transportation Company, was lost, with her cargo and a

l Steam Navigation Company of New York for

of the sad accident never having been clearly proved to the satisfaction of the insu

ion Company, which has ceased to exist for the last eleven years, having gone into liquidatio

SMITH, WAL

ime Ag

hen the doctor had finished reading the letter. "It is

" answered the doctor. "

rches, and that the vessel might be an American one. When time passed, and you received no intelligence, for you would have told us if you had, the idea occurred to me of writing to New York.

the doctor, taking the letter and reading it over again, to

?" cried th

e Faroe Islands, that is to say, near the coast of Norway, precisely at the time which

at a little distance from our coast, and at a specified epoch; but permit me to say, that this only confirms precisely my theory, for the vessel was a Canadian one, or in ot

ore vexed than he was willing to appear to be. "Then without do

ured

you have a right

right, thanks to your discovery, if you w

nothing better. How m

, and wait until the second

But be assured, doctor, that you will fin

a fine appearance in my book