Well, now, as neither of you are Lutherans,--in fact, as neither of you seem to know what you are," and he laughed, "I can be frank, and speak out as to my own belief.

I am proud to say I have never deserted the faith of my fathers, the faith that makes a man's soul strong and fearless, and defiant of evil,--the faith that is supposed to be crushed out among us, but that is still alive and rooted in the hearts of many who can trace back their lineage to the ancient Vikings as I can,--yes!--rooted firm and fast,--and however much some of the more timorous feign to conceal it, in the tacit acceptance of another creed, there are those who can never shake it off, and who never desire to forsake it.

I am one of these few.

Shame must fall on the man who willfully deserts the faith of his warrior-ancestry! Sacred to me for ever be the names of Odin and Thor!" He raised his hand aloft with a proud gesture, and his eyes flashed.
Errington was interested, but not surprised: the old _bonde's_ declaration of his creed seemed eminently fitted to his character.
Lorimer's face brightened,--here was a novelty--a man, who in all the conflicting storms of modern opinion, sturdily clung to the traditions of his forefathers.
"By Jove!" he exclaimed eagerly, "I think the worship of Odin would suit me perfectly! It's a rousing, fighting sort of religion,--I'm positive it would make a man of me.

Will you initiate me into the mysteries, Mr.
Gueldmar?
There's a fellow in London who writes poetry on Indian subjects, and who, it is said, thinks Buddhism might satisfy his pious yearnings,--but I think Odin would be a personage to command more respect than Buddha,--at any rate, I should like to try him.