104 THE HALL OP SHELLS. 



"A physician was summoned and restora- 

 tives applied, but Emilie, as her good old 

 friend called her, was past the help of man. 

 She revived somewhat, but knew none and was 

 unconscious of the presence of any about her, 

 but with wavering breath talked to one we 

 could not see. 



" ' Are the boats in ? ' she whispered, her 

 rugged native speech sweet with solicitude. 

 ' It has been long waiting — so long ! ' Then 

 wearily she seemed to sleep. 



" Again she whispered, ' The fog — the fog 

 — Heaven help the — boats — if they be — coming 

 in ! ' Then after a pause, ' Mutter — ^list for the 

 — signals of — Der Leitstem. The roaring — of 

 the sea — is — in — my ears. It is — ^very cold.' 

 A shudder passed over her frame ; it would 

 have been taken for a paroxysm of pain but 

 that she was past pain's cruel power. When 

 she spoke again it was hurriedly, as with joy, 

 but with great weakness. ' God be praised ! ' she 

 said ; ' Der Leitstem — is coming — through — the 

 fog ! It shines — Mutter — ^like a — star. Hein- 

 rich ! — God be praised ! — Heinrich — beckons — , 

 at the prow ! See — Mutter — how grand — and 

 fair — ^he looks ! Heinrich — calls — us ! Haste, 

 Mutter — I — will — ^h elp — thee. The — boat — is 

 — ^here. Heinrich — I — come ! God — be ' 



