He gave the maiden to her weeping father, then sank away, and no one thought of him, all were gathered around Maleen, who had fainted.
Soon she opened her violet eyes, and looked around searchingly through the crowd with a strange fear. "Where, where, is Handsel?" she cried, in wild excitement.
Then they all wondered how they could have forgotten him, and looking round they saw him sitting alone, with his head bowed down upon his hands. He did not want their thanks.
'Twas joy enough to him, that he had saved Maleen, and, brave man as he was, he sat there weeping like a child.
Maleen rose up, and walked feebly to him, and kneeling down upon the sand, she put her hand upon his shoulder, and whispered "Handsel!"
Handsel raised his head, and saw what he had never dared hope for, in the soft violet eyes upturned to his.
He answered only, "Maleen!" and, throwing his arms around her, pressed her fair golden-crowned head to his bosom.
Thus it was, that in the presence of God, the storm, and all the people—there by the the wild sea-shore, Handsel was betrothed to the most beautiful maiden in all the dear Fatherland,—The Jung-frau Maleen.