The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-06-13

inc thTong'
Come" he said TO tho conrtierS
who were standing near "let rs 20
down TO the square in a body and make
the hearts Of yon merry m>tics even
mcrrier to-day by exchanging some
coins for the nut, they have with them"
4 Princes suggestion never lack, FOR
listeners, nor for followers, and soon
the rich toilcttcs Of the court people
were scattered abD,u amidst the crowd
in the square.
Eric, step, were turned at once to-
ward, ltika.
He soon possessed him,clfof hcrnuis;
and after paying for them layishly IN
golden coin he took from an inner
pocket lockct and chain, which he
gave To her, saying:
"Wcar II for my sake. There ], no
one who would look fliror in H. You
ought TO be q Queen, little Rika, and |
win get max" ypu one.
Before Eika had time 'oroalilc aught
bat that his word, had filled her heart
with hcwilicring sense Of happiness,
hc had gone, hi, gift alone remaining
10 prove that she had not been dream,
ing
Bu, Size oon came 10 her sober
s,u7p,.
/, was we'll known that kim Gus
'ayus bead hocnholdIng negotiations
with lhr maiden Queen Of England, 10
induce h.rtp ho-tow her jowc.cd hand
upon Dr. older son, aud j, had reached
/ EIaar rar..
Such thing had been known as a
maid ui loss degree being woocd and
son hy % royal sutton The tale Of
Gri..l' Happiness, and Of her woes rs
well. wa, iavorllc one among the
folk-Horics told around the humble
hearth. ul the pcaslutly; aud if fate
! had ordained 30 ~ happen to her also,
! kika would have been q. glad and proud
= maiden 4. ever the sun had shono ON.
But -hr would listen lo noword, oflovc
from ono who's" hand WAS rs good rs
| given iu another
Thu %. thought as She walked slowly
| humrWuuN
SEQ ihr nest day little harcfooIcd
boy the rhlldo NJ Il ucighborlng farmer
wa. sent TO the palace 10y Rika with
Prince lHr'- gilt, carefully tied up in a
piece o. linen cloth cut from the corner
uf 70 N,n which she herself had woven
from lll> raised from the seed, and pre-
pared hy her own def hands.
Could lhr unconscious, trinkct hav,
told Erie that Rika's bright eyes haC
fingered lovingly and rcgrctlully upor
it,. aud that she had pressed il 10 hcl
lip, again and again, it might have les
scnrd hi, rhagrin in receiving his pres
cnt back again.
As it was, il only kindlcd anew hi
determination 10 win Rika for his own
be the consequences what they might
II should not be said Of him that n loy
peasant girl had given him. the Grown
Prince Of Sweden, such n rebuff.
H. threw n large cloak over his ricI
court suit, and thus disguised he mount
ed Olaf, his layortc hunter, and hast
curd towards Rika', home.
Hot anger was contcnding with hi
love for the rustic beauty as he rod
along.
Eat when he at last reached the boI
dcrs OF the cleared patch Of land in tn
forest which held the little cottage, ha
dismountsd from his horse and tied hil
10 a soplinr. and found himself stan,
inc at ihc door. awaiting his answer ,
! his ran NIL was forcottcn Inf tho ,bougI
that he was soon 10 cnlo unon rho bro,
, tjful face which had houn,cd his fame
! 60 ncrsjs,cntlv since fate had fir,
= Lron,h, IL bcf1rc him
Riko nrcpod tbc door and stood 70
IN instant in clad surprise. cazinp N
into her LAYERS foce in uttcr forcetfll
mass of fine difference in their stations.
"Ah, little one. thv face for once tell
mo all ,bot I wish IN know Thou loves
mo, / SOC il in those eyes"
And before Rika had time 70 rctrca,
bo r,unbt her N his heart and imnript.
ed passionate kisses upon her trembling
Inns
She drow herself from his encirclinc
arms, and stood painting like a fright
cncd fawn.
Then sho threw herself ut his feet
aud, clasping her hands entreatingly
she said;
, "Oh, most noble Prince, let 1t not b
: put against thy record that innoccnc
D and virtue received no respect at tn
' hands! Go, cntrcnt YOU! Should m
d father return and find thee here. B
would surely first kill me and then HI
!. himself, in shame and deSpairl O
It go'
NJ 81 mean thee no harm, Rika, ! lo'
IS thee; and when one loves he hurts n
# the object OF that love, To win thee
will give up my hcirship to the crov
/ TO my brother John; and while he wca
the diadcm upon his brow | will 60
, tent myself with love and happinc
with thee"
Not so, noble Eric" said Rik