ms;
instead of the cold, crisp air of his native land, he scented the
perfumed zephyrs of the Orient; and the wind that filled the sail of
his boat and smote his tanned cheeks was heavy and hot with the odor
of cinnamon and spices. The waters were calm and blue--very different
from the white and angry waves of Norss's native fiord.

As if guided by an unseen hand, the boat pointed straight for the
beach of this strangely beautiful land; and ere its prow cleaved the
shallower waters, Norss saw a maiden standing on the shore, shading
her eyes with her right hand, and gazing intently at him. She was the
most beautiful maiden he had ever looked upon. As Norss was fair, so
was this maiden dark; her black hair fell loosely about her shoulders
in charming contrast with the white raiment in which her slender,
graceful form was clad. Around her neck she wore a golden chain, and
therefrom was suspended a small symbol, which Norss did not
immediately recognize.

"Hast thou come sailing out of the North into the East?" asked the
maiden.

"Yes," said Norss.

"And thou art Norss?" she asked.

"I am Norss; and I come seeking my bride," he answered.

"I am she," said the maiden. "My name is Faia. An angel came to me in
my dreams last night, and the angel said: 'Stand upon the beach
to-day, and Norss shall come out of the North to bear thee home a
bride.' So, coming here, I found thee sailing to our shore."

Remembering then the spirit's words, Norss said: "What symbol have
you, Faia, that I may know how truly you have spoken?"

"No symbol have I but this," said Faia, holding out the symbol that
was attached to the golden chain about her neck. Norss looked upon it,
and lo! it was the symbol of his dreams,--a tiny wooden cross.

Then Norss clasped Faia in his arms and kissed her, and entering into
the boat they sailed away into the North. In all their voyage neither
care nor danger beset them; for as it had been told to them in their
dreams, so it came to pass. By day the dolphins and the other
creatures of the sea gambolled about them; by night the winds and the
waves sang them to sleep; and, strangely enough, the Star which before
had led Norss into the East, now shone bright and beautiful in the
Northern sky!

When Norss and his bride reached their home, Jans, the forge-master,
and the other neighbors made great joy, and all said that Faia was
more beautiful than any other maiden in the land. So merry was Jans
that he bu