Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-04-17

Ii was well known that King Gustavus
had been holding negotiations with the
maiden Queen of England. to induce her
to bestow her jeweled hand upon his elder
son, and it had reached Rika's ears.
Such thing had been known as a maid
of low degree being wooed and won by a
royal sutton The tale of Grisel's happi-
ness. and Of her woes as we'll. was IA
vorite one among the folk-stories told
around the humble hearihs of the peas
antry; and if fate had ordained it to happen
to her also. Rika would have been as glad
and proud maiden as ever the sun 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 slowly
homeward.
So the next day little barefooted boy
the child of a neighboring farmer-was
sent to the palace by Rika with Prince
Eric's gift, carefully tied up in piece of
linen 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 regretfully upon it and that
she had pressed it to her red lips again
and again. it might have lessened his cha
grin in receiving his present back again.
As it was it only kindled anew his deter
mination to win Rika for his own. be the
consequences what they might. 1t should
not be said of him that a low peasant girl
had given him. the Crown Prince of Swe-
den. such rebuff.
He threw a 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 beauty as he rode along.
But when he at last reached the borders
of the cleared patch Of land in the forest
which held the little cottage, had dis
mounted from his horse and tied him to a
| saplng, and found himself standing at the
door. awaiting her answer to his rap, all
was forgotten but the thought that he Was
soon to gaze upon the beautiful 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 forgettulness OF
the difference in their stations.
'Ah little one, thy face for once tells
me all that ! wish to know. Thou lowest
me, see it in those eyes"
And before Rika had time to retreat he
caught her to his heart and imprinted pas
sionate kisses upon her trembling lips
She drew herself from his encircling
arms, and stood painting like a frightened
lawn.
Then she threw herself at his feet,
and. clasp,ng 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! Should my father re.
turn and find thee here, he would surely
first kill me aud then kill himself. in
shame and despair. Oh, gor'
Il mean thee no harm, Rika. | 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. will content my
sniff with love and happiness with thee -
Not so. noble Eric, said Rika, firmly
"if thou would'st make such sacrifice, /.
for one, will not be q party to it. After
such a marriage ntailing as it would,
so much loss-love would prove but a
transient guest within ouI home Re-
proaches would drive the tickle god
away"
Tell me the truth, Rika," interrupted
Eric. with pass onate earnestness; do
you love me?"
$50 well that would rather die than
know that harm would come to one 50
noble through any influence of mine"
And yet you refuse to make me hap
py?"
IL refuse to work your ruin. noble
Prince. The present is not all of life.
But see-the sunlight has already reached
the middle point of your dial In ten
more minutes my father will be here. II
YOU woud'st shield me from harm. 60"
II will obey now but will not prom
Use to give up the hope which lured me
hither. Farewell tor a time, most OBJ
durate madden
Then. with long. lingering, regretful
look, the Prince turned and departed.
Days and weeks passed on.
At last came time which was to plunge
the nation into mourning The good and
great Gustavus was stricken with NOR
tai 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 heart filled with but one image, is it
to be wondered at that he suffered no OBJ
stacle to delay his union with the maiden
OF his love. after the days of his mourning
were fully accomplished. and that the
pretty nut girl of Sweden became its
crowned Queen?