Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-05-17

glamor to uninitiated eyes that the
mere sight Of the walls which shut it
in il eagerly eagerly coveted.
1t was . pretty sight to any one who
might have been stationed at the win
dow, to see that blooming procession
of neatly dressed lads and lasses, as
| they wsnded their way along with many
a merry laugh and Jest, until at last
they halted in tho great square before
the palace.
But to the watching eyes of the Prince
| who had received q hint of the COM
ing Of the nut t-gatherers-there was but
one face worth looking at among the
throng.
"Coms," he said to the eourtisrs who
were stonding near, "let Us 20 down to
the square in body and make the hearts
of yon merry rustics even Bsrrier 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 toilettss Of the court people were
scattered about amidst the crowd in the
square.
Eric's steps were turned at once to-
ward Rika.
He soon possessed himself of her
nuts; and after paying for them lavish
~ in golden coin, he took from an inner
pocket locket and chain, which he gave
to her, saying:
Wear 1t for my sake. There is no
one who would look IA rer in it. Yos
ought to be Queen, little Rika, and
will yet make you enc"
Before Rika had time to realize aught
but that his words had filled her heart
with bewilderiRg sense Of happiness,
| he had gone, his gift alone remaining
to prove that she had not been dream
ing.
But she soon came to her sober senses.
| 1t WAS well known that King Gusta-
vus had been holding negotiations with
the maiden Queen Of England, to induce
her to bestOw her jeweled hand upon
his elder son, and it bad reached Rika's
ears.
Such thing had been known as a
maid of low degree being wooed and
won by q royal suitor. The tale of Girls
els happiness, and OF her woes as well,
was fsvsrite one among the folk-sto-
ries told srouLd the humble hearths of
the peasantry; and if fate had ordained
IL W h6PFVh " LloL dISOy luna UOulu
have been as glad and proud maiden
rs ever the sun had shOne on. But she
would listen to no words of love from
one whose hand was As good as given to
another.
Thus she thought as she walked slow
ly homswaTd.
So the next day a little barefooted boy
-the child Of a neighbOring farmer
was sent to the palace by Rika with
Prince Erie's gift, carefully tied up in
piece of linen cloth cut from the corner
of web which she herself had woven
from flax raised from the seed, and pre-
pared by her own deft hands.
Could the unconscious trinket have
told Eric that Rikx's bright eyes had
fingered lovingly and regretfully upon
it, and that she had pressed it to her lips
again and again, it might have lessened
his chagrin in receiving his present back
again.
AS it was, it only kindlsd anew his
determination to win Riks for his own.
be the consequences what they might
It should not be said of him that low
peasant girl had given him, the Crown
Prince of Sweden, such = rebuff.
He threw large cloak over his rich
court suit, and thus disguised he mount
ed Olaf, his favorite hunter, and hasten
cd toward Rika's home.
Hot anger was eontending with his
love for the rustic beauty as he rode
along.
But when at last rs reached the bor-
ders of the cleared FItch of land in the
forest which held the little cottage, had
dismountsd from his horse and tied him |
to 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
tlful face which had haunted his fancy !
so persistently since fate had first bro't
it before him.
Rika opened the door and stood for an |
instant in glad surprise, gazing hp into |
her lovers face ia utter forgetfulness of
the difference in their stations.
"Ah! little one, thy face for once tells
me all that wish to know. Thou low
est mel / see it in those eyes"
And before Rika had time to retreat |
he caught her to his heart and imprinted |
passionate kisses upon her trembling
lips.
She drew herself from his enciIcling
arms, and stood painting like frightened
fawn.
Then she 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 innocence
and virtue received no respect at thy
hands! Go, entreat you'll Should my
father return and find thee here, he
would surely first kill me and then kill
himself, in shame and despair! Oh, go"
81 mean thee no harm, Rika. l love
thee; and when one loves he hurts not
the object Of that love. To win thee
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 Riks, firm
" "if thou wouldSt make such sacri-
ice, l, for one, will not be 4 party to it.
After such a marriage as it
would, so much less-love would prove
but u transient guest within our home. 7
would drive the tickle god
away"
"Tell me the truth, Riks," interrupt
I'd Eric, with passionate earnestness;
do you love me?'
$50 well that would rather die than
know that harm would come to one so
nobls through any influence OF mine."
"And yet you refuse to make me hap
py2" L
81 refuse to work your ruin, noble
Prince. The present is not all OF life.
But see-the sunlight has already reach