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Stories by Foreign Authors: Scandinavian by Unknown
page 27 of 142 (19%)
sought to bring this uncertainty into clear vision; and after a
long time had elapsed, he said: "Yes, and so one marries."

"Yes, one marries," he continued, after a pause; "but whom?"

His thoughts now took a more direct course; but the pictures in
his mind's eye had not become plainer. Again the horizon widely
around was rose-colored, and between the tinted cloud-layers
angel-heads peeped out--not Bible angels, which are neither man
nor woman; but angelic girls, whom he didn't know, and who didn't
know him. The truth was, he didn't know anybody to whom he could
give his heart, but longed, with a certain twenty-four-year power,
for her to whom he could offer it,--her who was worthy to receive
his whole self-made being, and in exchange give him all that queer
imagined bliss, which is or ought to be in the world, as every one
so firmly believes.

"Oh, I am a fool!" he said, as he suddenly became conscious that
he was merely dreaming and wishing. He tried to think of something
practical, thought upon a little picnic that was to be held in the
evening; but the same dream returned and overpowered him, because
the season of spring was in him, because life thrilled in him as
in trees and plants when the spring sun shines.

He leaned upon the window-seat--it was in an attic--and let the
wind cool his forehead. But while the wind refreshed, the street
itself gave his mind new nourishment. Down there it moved, to him
unknown, and veiled and hidden as at a masquerade. What a treasure
might not that easy virgin foot carry! What a fancy might there
not be moving in the head under that little bonnet, and what a
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