d dale the glowing clouds floated in many
lovely circles. Then came a wondrous vision to his longing eyes. In
the clouds appeared a temple of gold surrounded by groves of emerald
trees. The gold and marble gleamed with divine lustre never seen by
man. Slowly it sank to earth but did not disappear. It stood in
beauty where before the temple of Balder had stood. Its broad walls
were of silver, and each pillar seemed cut of deep blue steel. The
altar was carved of a single precious stone. The ceiling seemed like
the blue sky with twinkling golden stars, and there sat the gods of
Valhal in all their splendour.

Frithiof gazed in wonder and in praise. "Now I know your answer, my
father. I will build a new shrine to Balder the Good, more glorious
than the one destroyed by fire. How glad I am to atone for my warlike
act by peaceful deeds! The gods will pardon those who sue meekly for
forgiveness. Now with joy can I look at the stars and welcome the
Northern Lights. To-night I shall sleep upon my shield and dream how
heaven forgets the faults its mercy hath forgiven."

The Reconciliation

After seeing this vision of the lovely temple, Frithiof, greatly
cheered, worked long to build one as beautiful as his vision. At last
it was finished, a noble work. It stood high up on the mountain cliff,
and its image was mirrored in the ocean beneath. About this glorious
temple stretched a grove of noble trees, their branches green against
the sky. Here could be heard the songs of birds, but no sound of
discord. All was harmony.

As Frithiof stood admiring the temple, he saw twelve virgins clad in
silver gauze, with roses in their hair, enter the temple and approach
the altar of Balder. About the altar they danced lightly as breezes
about a fountain, or elves amid the waving grass while dewdrops glisten
there. As Frithiof looked, all hate and vengeance faded from his heart
as ice melts from the cliff before the sun of springtime. All was
quiet,--peace and joy seemed to possess his soul. He felt love for all
nature and longed to be at peace with all God's creatures.

Then came into the temple the most high priest of Balder. Kind was his
face, and Frithiof reverenced the noble man of peace. "Son Frithiof,
welcome to this grove and temple. I have long expected thee. Weary
with travel and longing for home, the strong man at last returns from
his wanderings.

"Dost thou remember when thy heart was joyous a