78 THE HALL OF SHELLS. 



But all were not content with, this quiet 

 island life. There was one, a youth, who 

 heard strange voices in his soul, luring him 

 away from this little anchorage. The great 

 world, that drew him" with a power he could 

 not resist, prepared a bark for him she called, 

 and he went out, not knowing whither he 

 went. 



At last, in the far south seas, his heart 

 bade him tear from its briny fastness an un- 

 known seaweed whose beauty attracted him 

 strangely. He had sailed far for this unknown 

 plant. 



As our hearts prompt us to bestow upon 

 our best beloved the most beautiful gifts at 

 our command, so the heart of this man, who 

 was performing a mission, though he knew it 

 not, bade him carry this trophy of his voyage 

 to a maiden who waited in far Burano. 



With the utmost care he preserved the deli- 

 cate Algce, and after weeks long and many of 

 weary sailing, he laid the plant, perfect and 

 beautiful, in the hand of the waiting maiden. 



But, alas ! there came a day when the treas- 

 ure began to fade ; and the maiden saw that, 

 notwithstanding her greatest effort, her gift 

 must perish. The same spirit that prompted 

 to its gathering inspired the little flsherwoman. 



