The Spell of Belgium

A Legend of the

xquisite proportions. It is surmounted by a cross of a size corresponding with the edifice itself. The Antwerpians are justly proud of their antique cathedral, which occupies the first rank among the monuments of Europe; if time and space permitted I would give you a sketch of its beauties, but many others before me have described its elegant marble statuary, chapels, confessionals, altars, choirs, and

HE CATHEDR

and finished with national games of every description upon the public squares, and processions of artisans preceded by the banners of their several professions. The streets resounded with songs and repeated cries of "Vive l'Empereur Charles!" and as the night approached the night became more dense and noisy, for before the H?tel de Ville immense casks w

his window. It was evident that he took no part in the general rejoicing. The room in which he was, although showing that scrupulous Flemish neatness, presented an appearance of extreme poverty. A miserable pine bedstead, curtains of blue linen, four old chairs, and an old oak table comprised the furniture of the room. The whitewashed walls were devoid

she, "come to me; but

has so weakened me that I am unable to work. Hardly can I lift a ham

alyzed your strength as well as m

ckness and poverty. If tomorrow we do not satisfy the demands of the landl

hed all my happiness. But in the midst of my suffering I have always said, God has given them to us and tak

ultuous noise of steps arose from the street. It was a proce

Luc, and now, oh! I see the blacksmiths and

their strength and health, when suddenly he drew back from the w

ed his mother, alarme

father and Master Verachter, the

eaking. She seemed to fear to encourage by the le

rly served his apprenticeship at the forge with his father when this fatal epidemic broke out, to which his father and brothers fell victims, and he himself and his mother barely survived. But the blacksmiths of the city refused to accord him the right to continue his father's business, as he had not fully worked out the required time. That very mor

its course. Everywhere was heard the falling of tiles, the crashing of glass from the broken windows, the uprooting of trees, and the distant noise from the river, whose swollen w

ry the inhabitants consoled themselves with the reflection that others had been more unfortunate than they. It is often thus that we console ourselves. Those who passed in the vicinity of the cathedral saw with regret that the great cross which surm

public buildings; while Antwerp glorified itself justly in its cathedral, of which no one dared to contest the superiority as a work of art and architecture. All the citizens viewed this sight with consternation, and asked each other anxiously who would

RAL, A

crowns to the person who will re?stablish the iron cross in its ancient position on the cathedral tower. Five hundred golden crowns! Citize

ned and gave passage to a young man, who precipitated himself resolutely towards the H?tel de Ville. Every eye was turned towards him with curiosity. He was of extreme beauty, although emaciat

ur iron cross in its position upon the tower of the cathedral tomorrow with the aid of God. Consequently, we order all who may be present to refrain from distracting the attention of the said Yvon Bru

ched his mother's bed and with an animation which she had not se

You are dressed in your holida

"I feel my strength return, and I can no longer bear the misery of our situatio

y strength. Think that all the riches of the

world? I would give my life willingly to insure you

d forever. Amen," said his mother gravely with her eyes raised to

embled. All eyes were turned upon him with an expression of pity and regret, and voices murmured in his ear words of encouragement, sympathy and hope. But Yvon, avoiding as much as possible every speci

her; preserve me, then, for the love of her, or if it must be that I die, permit me to a

ration over the country, he turned his gaze toward the city. At his feet he distinguished the sign of the Red Lion. He thought of his mother, then turned toward the dwelling of Marie. The remembrance of her animated his courage, for on his success depended the only chance he had of obtaining her hand, and he prepared himself to finish the most perilous part of

Then burst forth a universal cry of admiration. He lighted his brazier and actively commenced his work, attaching firmly to the cross one end of the rope, of which the other

m separate to give passage to a wedding cortége, which advanced towards the cathedral. Attracted in spite of himself, he regarded attentively all the members. He noticed a young girl dressed in white as a bride leaning on the arm of an old man. He supported himself at the foot of the cross and leaned as far as possible to assure himself of the reality of his fears-his eyes distended, his face livid, and his whole body trembling with emotion. They glanced upwards to see the young workman who had raised the cross-Yvon gave a cry of agony, for this bride was Marie, and at her side the old

t the chamber was empty. A coffin was placed in the middle of the room. Death had spared the poor mother this great affliction. Yvon was buried on the