Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-10-14

told Eric that Rika's bright eyes had lin
perea lovingly and RESPECTFULLY upon II,
and that she had pressed it TO her red
lips again, il HIscht have lessened the
chagrin he felt on receiving his present
back again.
As /, was, il only kindlsd anes his
determination to win RIka for his own,
be the consequences what they might.
IL should not be said of him that a low
peasan. girl had given him, the crown
prince of Sweden, such a rebuff.
He threw a large cloak over his rich
court suit, and. thus disguised. mounted
"Oiaf." his favorite hunter, and hast
ened toward Rika's h-me.
Hot anger was contending with his
love for the rustic beauty as he rode
along. Bot when he At last reached the
borders of the cleared patch of land In
the forest which held the little cottage,
had dismounted from his horse and tied
him To sapliug, and found himself
standing at the door awaiting her AL
sver 70 the rap, all was forgotten but the
though that he was soon to gaze upon
the beautiful face which had haunted
his fancy so persistently since fate had
first brought II before him.
Kiha opened the door and stood for
an instant in glad surprise, gazing up
into her lovers face in utter forgetfui-
ness of the difference III their stations.
"Ah, little one, thy face for once tells
me all wish to know. Thou lowest int +.
see IT in those eyer.
And, before Rika had time TO retreat,
he caught her to his heart and imprint
ed passionate kisses upon her trembling
lips.
She drew herself from his encircllng
arms, and stood painting like fright
ened fawn.
Then she threw herself at his feet,
and, cIasping her hands, entreatingly
she said:
"Oh, most noble prince, let it not be
uut against thy record that innocence
and ylrtae received no respect at thy
hands, Go, | entreat you. Should ny
father return and find thee here, he
would surely first kill me and then Kill
himself, through shame and despair.
Oh, co. s ,, -,
and when one loves, he hurts not the
object of that love. 10 win thee l will
give up my heirship to the crown to my
brother John; and while he wears the
diadem upon his brow, viii content
myself with love and happiness with
thee"
Not so. noble Eric" said Rika, firm
ly. "If thou wouldst make such a sac
rifice, l, for One, will not be a p ,rty 10 1t.
After such marriage, entailing, rs 1t
would, so much loss, leve would prove
! bat transient guest within our home.
Repfoaches would Boon drive tbs tickle
god away"
"Teli me the truth, Rika," interrupt
cd Eric, with passionate earnestnessi
z do you love me?'
$50 well that would rather die than
know that harm had come to one 80 no
bic through any influence of mine.
And yet you refuse to make me hap
III rsfuss to work your ruin. noble
prince. Tue present Is not all Of life.
But see, the sunlight has already reached
the middle point of your dial. In ten
minutes more my father will be here
II you would now shield me from
harm, CO."
"Twill obey now; but will not prom
| lee to give up the hope which lured me
hither. Farewell for time, most obdu-
rate maiden"
Then, with long, longering, regret
| full look, the prince turned away anc
departed.
DAYS and weeks passed.
At last eamsa time which was tOplungt
She nation into mourning. The Kooc
land great Gustavus was stricken with
| mortal illness.
He died and was laid beside his kingly
progenitors, and Eric was the reignini
sovereign liz Sweden.
Young, impuisive, aSd his own mas
| ter, with his heart filed with but one
image, is it to be wondered At that h
suffered no obstacle TO delay his union
with the maiden of his love after til,
days of his mourning were fully &C
oomplished, and that the handsome
nut girl Of Sweden became its crowned
queen?