Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-04-17
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ARONAyCE OF HISTORY.
7, -. nutt;no tim

was uuLtl0R Ltuc
A blooming band Of peasant children
had gathered from far and near to have
merry day amid the nut trees and hedges.
/ say children-but girls of Is and lads
Of IS and 20 were scattered through the
ehattering group.
The nut harvest was joyful time to
them.
The young are always attractive in
certain way. The undimmed brightness
Of the eve-the satinv smoothness of the
comprehensive happy smiles lowering
around the rosy iips-each has beauty
TO itself; but add to the youthful face the
charm of perfectly chiseled features, and
vi luslrous brown eyes, looking out upon
the world with an innocent wonder at the
changing scenes Of loneliness so constant
ly unfolding themselves before them
frame it in a mass of shining. wavy gold
Of natures own crimping-and poise it
upon form so 1.-THE and slendef in its
exquisite grace that Praxiteles might have
chosen it for his model-and you can form
an idea of Rika Bremer-the acknowl
edged beauty OF the whole surrounding
country.
And there was romantic story about
her going the rounds.
Il was said that no less parsonage than
Prince Eric. the son Of the great and good
Gustavs, had been standing one morning
by one Of the palace windows to witness
u rustic procession, which had been
gotten up in honor of some important
victory. recently won by his famous father;
and as he stood gazing listlessIy out, his
eyes Frightening suddenly, and he turned
TO an attendant and whispered few
words which caused him to hasten away.
When he returned he was not alone
Kika was with him.
Prince Eric's beauty-loving eyes had
been attracted by her. as she had stood
amid group Of other maidens. looking
at the gayly-dressed columns OF her
countrymen filing by.
She, too, was in holiday attire, and the
black velvet jacket, fitting closely to her
slender figure, and adorned with silver
gilt buttons. brought out so wildly the
exquisite fairness of her skin, with its
rose-leaf tints of red upon lips and cheeks.
that she looked like being of a different
sphere as she stood amid her mates.
Confused and blushng. she now await
ed the Princes pleasure She dared not
raise her eyes to his lace.
Had she done 30 she would have been
oysrpowered by the earnestness of the
gaze with which he regarded her.
From The moment his eyes rested upon
Rika's face the world held but one peer
less woman to him.
1t mattered not that his Younger brother,
Duke John. was even then in another
kingdom. wooing for him royal bride,
upon whose brow rested dadem, whose
splendor far exceeded the one which he
was to inherit upon the death of his father.
No. In that moment Elizabeth of Eng
land was forgotten. The peasant maid
who stood before him had become the
queen of his fancy.
THY name, little one ?" he asked
Rika raised her eyes to the handsome,
earnest face, but dropped them timidly rs
she met his glance.
II am Frederick-lhe foresters daugh-
ter-yOur majesty"
Nay, not yet crave | for that title,
maiden. Young blood must have its vent
and | am glad to know that the cares of
government are not soon likely to rest
upon my shoulders. broad though they
may be-
With smile he glanced at his stalwart
frame, which was acknowledged TO be one
of the finest specimens OF physical come
illness in the country, as was his face
called the handsomest of any Prince in
Europe.
Rika courtesied respectfully. but did not
reply.
II the gracious Prince chose thus to adj
dress rs an equal one of the humblest of
his fathers subjects. she knew well her
position, and was to the full rs proud of
her unsullied innocence and integrity as
the haughtiest maid in the realm.
Her shy modesty added TO her beauty in
Eric's ewes.
where livest thou Frederika?" he
asked. softly; "ior | would like TO send
thy father commission to fell some trees
which much interfere with the comfort of
the Kings hunting parties in the forest"
This he said knowing intuitively that
II 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 ensnared
in tenierer tolls than those at the com
mand OF the kcenest sportsman at his
fathers court.
After a lew words more he suffered her
to go. But the sweet memcry of her
presence went not with her. 1t nestled
deep within his heart.
After this interview, scarcely week
passed that did not find Fries steps turned
in the direction of the iorester's cottage.
A glass OF milk from Rika's own white
hands. was the draught most preferred by
the royal hunter although out OF courtesy
he would sometimes accept 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 understanding that they should
meet again the next day and 60 to the
palace and dispose of their treasures.
The next morning found them on their
way. dressed in their best. as became so
eveniiul an occasion in their usually mo-
notonous lives; for royalty had such
glamor to unlimited eyes that the mere
sight of the walls which shut it in is eager
ly coveted.
1t was pretty sight to any one who
might have been stationed at the window.
TO see that blooming procession OF neatly
dressed lads and lasses, as they wendell
their way along with many a merry laugh
and Jest. until at last they halted in the
great squarc before the palace.
But TO the watching eyes Of the prince
who had received hint OF the coming
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