I can not
understand why you should condemn yourself to the life of a sailor,
which would take you far away from them, when Doctor Schwaryencrona
offers you every advantage to pursue a more congenial career," said Mr.
Malarius. "Reflect, my dear child, before you make such a decision."

Mr. Malarius did not tell him that he had already written to Stockholm
to inform the doctor of the sad state of their affairs, and the change
which the cyclone of the 3d of March had made in the circumstances of
Erik's family. He was not surprised, when three days after his
conversation with Erik, he received the following letter, which he lost
no time in carrying to the house of Mr. Hersebom.

The letter read as follows:

"STOCKHOLM, March 17th.

"MY DEAR MR. MALARIUS,--I thank you cordially for informing me of
the disastrous consequences of the cyclone of the 3d of March to
the worthy Mr. Hersebom. I am proud and happy to learn that Erik
acted in these circumstances, as always before, like a brave boy
and a devoted son. You will find a check in this letter for 500
kroners; and I beg you to give them to him from me. Tell him if it
is not enough to buy at Bergen a first-class boat, he must let me
know without delay. He must name this boat 'Cynthia,' and then
present it to Mr. Hersebom as a souvenir of filial love. That done,
if Erik wishes to please me he will return to Stockholm and resume
his studies. His place is always ready for him at my fireside, and
if he needs a motive to assist in this decision, I add that I have
at length obtained some information, and hope yet to be able to
solve the mystery enshrouding his birth.

"Believe me, my dear Malarius, your sincere and devoted friend,

"R.W. SCHWARYENCRONA, M.D."

You may imagine with what joy this letter was received. The doctor, by
sending this gift to Erik, showed that he understood the character of
the old fisherman. If he had offered it directly to him, it is hardly
probable that Mr. Hersebom would have accepted it. But he could not
refuse the boat from Erik's hand, and bearing the name of "Cynthia,"
which recalled how Erik had become a member of the family. Their only
grief now, which already began to sadden all their countenances, was the
thought that he must soon leave them again. Nobody dared to speak about
it, although it was constantly in their thoughts. Erik himself, with his
head