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

edged to be one of the finest speci-
mems of physical confines in the
country, as was his face called the
handsomest of any princes in Eu"
rope.
Rika courtesied respectfully, but
did not reply.
If the gracious prince chose thus
to address as an equal one of the
humblest of his fathers subjects,
she knew well her position, and was
to the full as proud of her unsullied
innocence and integrity as theh augh-
test maid in the realm.
Her shy modesty added to her
beauty in Eric's eyes.
where Invest thou, Frederika?"
he asked softly; "for would well
like to send thy father a commission
to fell some trees which much inter-
fere with the comfort Of the kings
hunting parties in the forest"
This he said, knowing intuitively
that it would startle Rika to give
her his true reason and say that he
intended to start out himself in quest
Of fairer and more precious game
which must be ensnaled in tenderer
tolls than those at the command of
the keenest sportman at his fathers
court.
After a few words more he suffer
ed Rika to go. But the sweet mem
DRY of her presence went not with
her. 1t nestled deep within his
heart.
After this inter view, scarcely day
passed that did not find Eric's steps
turned in the direction of the foreso-
er's cottage.
A glass Of milk, from Rika's own
white hands, was the draught most
preferred by the royal hunter-al-
though, out of courtesy, he would
sometimes accept a mug of mead
from the sturdy old father.
Matters were in this stage at the
time our story opens.
The nuts were gathered, and the
merry groups had dispersed to their
various homes, with the understand
ing that they should meet again the
next Gay and go together to the pal
ace and dispose of their treasures.
The next morning found them on
their way, dressed in their best, as
became SO eventful an occasion in
their usually monotonous lives for
royalty has such a glamor to unin-
itiated eyes that the mere sight Of
the walls which shut it in is eargerly
coveted.
1t was a pretty sight to any one
who might have been stationed at
the window, to see that blooming
procession of neatly dressed lads and
lassies, as they wendell their way
along with many merry laugh and
jest, until at last they halted in the
great square before the palace
But to the watching eyes of the
prime who had received a hint of
the coming of the nut-gatherers-
there was but one face worth looking
at among the throng.
Come" he said to the courtiers
who were standing near, "let us go
down to the square in body and
make the hearts of yon merry rustics
even merrier to-day by exchanging
some coins for the nuts they have
with them"
A princes suggestion never lacks
for listeners, nor for followers and
soon the rich toilettes Of the court
people were scattered about amidst
the crowd in the square.
Eric's steps were turned at once
towards Rika.
He soon possessed himself Of her
nuts; and after paying for them Law
ishly in golden coin, he took from an
inner pocket a locket and chain,
which he gave to her, saying;
"Wear it for my sake. There is
none who would look fairer in it.
You ought to be a queen, little Rika,
and 1 will yet make you one"
Before Rika had time to realize
but that his words had filled her
heart with q bewildering sense of
happiness, he had gone, his gift
alone remaining to prove that she
had not been dreaming.
But she soon came to her sober