Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-10-07

i and proud maiden as even tne sun
had shone on. But she would listen
to no words Of love from one whose
hand was as good as given to anoth-
er.
Thus she thought as she walked
slowly homeward.
SO the next day a little barefooted
boy-the child of neighboring far
mer-was sent TO the palace by Rika
with Prince Eric's gift, carefully
tied up in a piece of linen cloth, cut
from the corner of a web, which she
herself had woven from fax raised
from the seed, and prepared by her
own deft hands.
Could the unconscious trlnket
have told Eric that Rika's bright
eyes had fingered lovingly and re-
gretfully upon it, and that she had
pressed it to her red lips again and
again, it might have e ened his
chagrin in receiving his present back
agin.
As it was, it only kindled anew
his determination to win Rika for
his own, be the consequences what
they might. 1t should not be said of
him that lowly peasant girl had
given him, the Crown Prince of
Sweden, such a rebuff.
He threw a large cloak over his
rich court suit and, thus disguised,
he mounted Olaf, his favorite hunt
er, and fastened towards Rika's
home.
Hot anger was contending with
his love for the rustic beauty as he
rode along
But when he at last reached the
borders of the Gle ed patch of land
in the forest which held the little
cottage, had dismounted from his
horse and tied him TO a sapling, and
found himself standing at the door,
awaiting the answer to his rap, all
was forgotten but the thought that
he was soon to gaze upon the beauti-
full face which had haunted his fan
cy so persistently since fate had first
brought it before him.
Rika opened the door and stood
for an instant in glad surprise, gaz-
ing up into her lovers face in utter
forgetfulness of the difference in
their stations.
"AhI little one, thy face for once
tells me all that l wished to know.
Thou lowest me / see it in those
eyes"
And before Rika had time to re-
treat he caught her to his heart and
imprinted passionate kisses upon
her trembling lips.
She drew herself from his encir-
cling arms and stood painting like a
heightened fawn.
Then she threw herself at his feet,
aud, clasping her hands entreating-
ly, she said
ooh, most noble prince, let it not
be put against thy record that inno-
cence and virtue received no respect
at thy hands, Go, | entreat you
Should my father return and find
thee here, he would surely tirst.lill
me, and then kill himself, in shame
and despair! Oh, go -
~ mean thee no harm, Rika. /
love thee and when one loves he
hurts not the object Of that love. To
win thee l will give up my heirship
to the crown to my brother John;
and while he wears the diadem upon
his brow, / will content myself with
love and happiness with thee"
mot so, noble Erie said Rika,
firmly; "if thou wouldst make such
a sacrifice, l, for one, will not be a
party to it. After such marriage
-entailing, as it would, SO much
loss-love would prove but tran
silent guest within our home. Re-
proaches would drive the tickle god
away"
"Tell me the truth, Rika," inter
rupted Eric, with passionate earnest
ness 'do you love me ?"
$50 well that | would rather die
than know that harm would come to
one so noble through any influence
of mine"
"And yet you refuse to make me
happy"