The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-06-14
A ROMANCE OF HISTORY,

twas nutting time.
blooming band of peasant children
had gathered from far and near to have
a merry day amid the nut trees and
hedges.
l say childrcn-but girls of fifteen
and lads of eighteen and twenty wcro
scattered throughout the chattcrinp
group.
The nut harvest was a joyful time to
them.
The young arc always attractive in q
certain way. The mdimmcd bright
ness of the cyc--thc satinv smoothncss
of the complcXion--tho happy smiles
lowering around the rosy lips-cach
has beauty to itself; but add to the
youthful face the charm of perfectly
chlscled features, and Of lustrous
brown eyes, looking out upon the world
with an innocent wonder ut tho chanr-
ing scenes of lovclincSs so constantly
unfolding themselves before them
frame IT in mass of shining, wavv
gold OF natures own Grim pinr-and
PolSc 1T upon form SO 1.-the and slen-
der in It's exquisite grace that Praxi-
tclcs might have chosen it for his
modcl-and YOU can form an idea of
Rlka Brcmcr--thc acknowledged beauty
OF the whole surrounding country.
And there was Il romantic story
about her going the rounds.
IL was said that no less Il parsonage
than Prince Eric, the son of the rrcat
and good GuStavus, had been standinr
one morning by one of the palace win
doWS to witness Il rustic procession,
which had been gotten up in honor of
some important victory, recently won
by his famous father; and, rs he stood
gazing listlcSsly out, his eyes bright
cncd suddenly, and he turned to an at
tendant and whispered II few words
which caused him to hasten away.
When he returned he was not alone
Rika was with him.
Prince Eric's bcauty-loving eyes had
been attracted by her as she had stood
amid n group of other maidcns looking
MT the gayly-drcsScu columns of her
countrymcn filing by.
She, too, was in holiday attire; and
the black velvet Jacket, fitting closrlvto to
her slender figure, and adorned with
slIvcr-Sllt buttons, brought out so vivid
~ the exquisite fairness of her skin,
with its rosc-lcaf tints of rcd upon lips
and checks, that she looked like being
OF different sphere as she stood amid
Confused and blushing, she now
awaited the lrincc's pleasure. Sho
dared not raise her eyes to his face.
Had she done so she would have been
oVcrpowered by the carncstness Of The
gaze with which he regarded her.
From the moment his eyes rested
upon Mka's face the world held but one
peerless woman to him.
1t mattcrcd not that his younger
brother, Duke John, was even then in
another kingdom, wOoinG for him n
royal bride, upon whose brow rested a
diadem whose splcndor far exceeded tho
one which he was to inherit upon tho
death of his father.
NO. In THAI moment Elizabeth of
England was forgotten. The peasant
maid who stood before him had become
the Queen of his fancy.
"ThY name. little onc?" he asked
Rika raised her eyes to the handsome,
earnest face, but dropped them timidly
as she met his glance.
al am Frcdcrika-thc forcster's
daug ghter-yom Majesty"
May, not yet crave for that title,
maiden. Young blood must hare its
vent, and | am glad to know that the
cares of government are not soon likely
10 rest upon my shoulders, broad
though they may be"
With smile he glanced at his stall
wart frame, which was acknowledged
to be one of the finest specimens of
physical comeliness in the country, as
was his face called the handsomest of
any Princes in Europe.
Rika courtesied respectfully, but did
not reply.
If the gracious Prince chose thus to
address as an equal one of the mmblest
of his fathers subjects, she knew well
her position, and was to the full as
proud of her unsuDied innocence and
integrity as the haughtiest maid In the
realm.
He shy modesty added to her beauty
IN Ell rs eyes.
"Where livest thou, Frederikap" he
asked, softly; "for I would well like to
send thy father a commission to fell
some trees which much interfere with
the comfort of the Kings hunting par
ties in the forest"
This he said, knowing intuitively
that it would startle Rika to give her
his true reason and y that he intend
ed to start out himself in quest of fairer
and more precious game which must
be ensnared in tenderer tolls than those
at command of the keenest sportsman
at his fathers court. l.sn .9t,. ~
After a few words more he suffered
RilSa to 90. But the sweet rnernofy of
her PRESENCE went not with gher. 1t
nestled deep within his heart.s ss8gg r.
Alter this Interview, scarcely week
passed that did not find Erie's steps
turned In tho direction Of tho forester's
6ottHgo,