The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1882-09-21

farmer-was sent to the palace by
Rika with Prince Eric's gift, care
fully tied up in piece of inin cloth,
cut from the corner Of a web, which
she herself had woven from flax
raised from the seed, and prepared
by her own deft hands
Could the unconscious trinket
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 lessened his
chagrin in receiving his present
back again.
AS it was. it only kindled anew bis
determination to win Rika for his
own, be the consequences what they
might. 1t should not be said of him
that a lowly peasant girl had given
him, the Crown Prince of Sweden,
such a rebuff.
He threw large cloak over his
rich court suit and thus disguised,
he mounted Olaf, his favorite hunter,
and fastened toward Rika's home.
Hot anger was contending with
his love for the rustic bauty as he
rode along.
But when he at last reached the
boarders of the cleared 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 his answer to his rap. all
was forgotten but the thought that
he was soon to gaze upon the boauti-
full face which had 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.
ssAh! little one, thy face for once
tells me all that | wish to know.
Thou lowest me! l 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 encircl.
ing arms, and stood painting like a
frightened fawn.
Then sne threw herself at his feet,
and, clasping her hands entreatingly,
she said:
''Oh, 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 first kill
me. and then kill himself, in shame
and despair! Oh, go!"
Il 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, l will content myself with
love and happiness with thee.''
Not so noble Eric,' said Rika
firmly ; if thou wou ldst make such a
sacrifice, /, for one, will not be par
ty to it. After such marriage-en-
failing, as it would, so much loss
love would prove but a transient
guest within our home. Reproaches
would drive the ficle god away"
Tell me the truth Rika," inter-
rupted Eric, with passionate earnest
ness "do you love me?"
$50 we'll that 1 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 not all Of
life. But see-the sunlight has al
ready reached the middle point Of
your dial! In ten more minutes my
father will be here. If thou wouldst
shield me from harm, CO.
Il will obey nov; but [ will not
promise to give up the hope which
lured ME hi.her. Farewell for time
most obdurate Maiden
Then with a long, linz 5ering, regret
full look, the prince turned and de-
parted.
Days and weeks passed on.
At last came time which was to
plung the nation into mourning. The
good and grateGustavus was stricken
with a mortal illness.
He died, and was laid beside his
kingly progenitors, and Eric was
the reigning 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 pretty
of Sweden became its crown
ed queen?
Search the annals Of history, and
YOU will find the romantic story of
the marriage on record. adding still
another folk.tale to those the country
maidens tell over to each other at
that witching time between daylight
and starlight, when all nature is 60
ing to rest, aud young hearts are at
l., :xI