Frostburg mining journal., 1882-10-14
have lsssensd his ohsgriu in receiving
his present back again.


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 Sws-
den, such a rebuff.
He threw large cloak over his
rich court auit; and, thus disguised,
he mounted Olaf, his favorite hunter,
and hssteped towards Rika's home.
Hot anger was contending with
his love for the rustic beauty as be
rode along.
But when he at last reached the
borders of the cleared patch Of land
in the for est which held the little
cottage, had dismounted from his
horse and tied him to q sapling, and
found himself standing at the door,
awaiting his answer to his rap, all
was forgotten but the thought that
he was soon to gaze upon the beau
tiful facei which bad haunted his
fancy SO persistently since fate had
first brought it before him.
Rika opened the door and stood
for an instant in glad surprise, gazing
up into her lovers face in utter for
getfulness of the difference in their
stations.
"Ah little one, thy face for once
tells me all that l wish to know.
Thou lowest me l see it in these
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 encircling
arms, and stood painting like fright
ened fawn.
Then she drew herself at his feet,
and, clasping her hands entreatingly,
she said
"Oh, most noble prince, let it not
be put against thy record that limo.
cence and virtue received no respect
at thy hands Go, / entreat you
Should my father return and find thee
here, he would surely first kill me,
and thsn kill himself, in shame and
despair Oh, go!"
81 mean thee no harm, Riks. l
love thee and when one loves he
hurts not the object of that love To
win thee I will give up my heirship
to the crown to my brother John
and while he wears the diadem upon
his brow, I will content myself with
love and happiness with thee"
mot SO, noble Eric" said Rika,
firmly "if thou wouldst make such
sacrifice, I, for one, will not be q
party to it. After such a marriage
entailing, as it would. so much loss
love would prove but transient
guest within our home. Reproaches
would drive the fckle god away"
"Tell me the truth, Riks," inter-
rupted Eric, with passionate earnest
ness; "do you love me ?"
$50 well that I 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 ?"
Il refuse to work your ruin, noble
prince. The present is rot all of life,
But see-the sunlight has already
reached the middle point Of your
dial! In ten more minutes my father
will be here. II thou wouldst shield
me from harm, 90"
II will obey now but / will not
promise to give up the hope which
lured me hither. Farewell for a time,
most obdurate maiden"
Then, with a long, lingering, regret
full look, the prince turned and de-
parted.
Days and weeks passed on.
At last came time which was to
plunge the nation into mourning.
The good and great Gustavus was
stricken with mortal illness.
He died, and was laid beside his
kingly progenitors, and Eric was the
reisning sovereign in Sweden.
Young, impulsive, and his own
master, with his heart filled with but
one image, is it to be wondered at
that he suffered no obstacle to delay
his union with the maiden of his love,
after the days Of his mourning were
fully accomplished, and that the pref
ty nut girl Of Sweden became it's
crowned oueen =?