Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1884-02-07

ho thFt" fhFRe cloaN over MS ElCH
court suit, and thus disguised he mount.
ed Olaf, his favorite hunter, and hastened
towards Rika's home.
Hot anger was contendiDg with his
love for the rustic beauty IA he rode
along
But when at last he reached the bor.
ders of the cleared patch Of land in the
forest which held tho little cottage, had
dlsmounted from his horse aud tied him
to sapling. and found himself stand
ing at the door awaiting his answer TO
his rap all was forgotten but the thought
that he was soon to gaze upon the beau.
tiful face which had haunted his fancy
30 pcrsistenllY since tate had first
brought il before him.
Rika opened the door and stood for
an instant in glad surprise, gazing up
into her lovers face in utter iorPetfu!-
ness Of the difference in their stations.
"Abi little one, Thy face for once
tells me all that wish TO know Thou
lowest me see it in those eyer.'
And before Rika had time 10 retreat
he caugh her to bis heart and imprinted
passionate kisses upon her trembling
lips.
She drew herself from his encircling
arms and stood painting like frighten.
cd fawn.
Then she threw hcrrcll at hs feet,
and clasping her hand. eEtreatinRly,
she said
"Oh, most noble prince let il not be
put against thy record that innocency
and virtue received no rezpect at the
hends Go, entreat you Should my
father return and find thee here he
would surely firsi kill me and then kill
himself in shame and despair Oh,
gow
81 mean thee no harm, Rika, love
thee and when one loves. he hurts not
tho object of that love. To win thee
will give up my heirship 10 the crown
to my brother John; aud while he
wears the diAdcm upon his brow will
content ysalf with love and happiness
with thee"
Not 30, noble Eric" said Riks. frm.
lV sssF al a
flee /, for one, will not be party to it.
After such = marriAge--entailing "a il
would, 80 much loss-lovc would prove
but transient Rucst within our hone.
Reproaches would drive the fckle god
away"
"rell me the truth, Riks,' inter
ruPted Eric, with passionate earnest
ness do you love me7'
80 we'll that would rather die than
know that harm would come to ono so
noble through any influence Of mine. :"
And yet Tou refuse 10 make me
happyw
81 refuse 20 sock youy ruin, goble
prince. The present il not all Of ife.
But see--ths sunlight h-s already
reached the middle poin, oi your h'si
In ten more inmate. nv father will be
here. II thou wouIdst shield me from
harm, GO
II sill obey now tut / will tot prom
ice TO give up the hore which Iutrd me
hither. Farewell for = time, most ob.
durAte maiden"
Then, with long, iingenas, res vriul
look, the prince ,urncd and departed.
Days aud weeks passed 80.
Az last came time which Wa to
plunge the nation iuto mourning. The
good and great Gustavu. vas stricken
with a mortal illness.
lie died, and wss laid br.iJ- his king
ly progenitors. and Eric va ih. reign.
ing soversign in Sweden.
Young, impulsivs and HE own master.
with his heart filled With but one image,
is il 10 be wondered ct thA, be suffered
no obstacle 10 delay his union with the
maiden Of bis love. after the days Of bis
mourning we're fully accomplished. and
that tbs pretty nut g,rl Of sweden be
came lie crowned queeng
Search the annals Of history, and you
will end the romantic story of the
marriage on record. adding s.lll another
folk.tsle TO those the country msidsn'
tell over to each other at that witchine
time between daylight and starlight
when all nature i going 70 rest and
young hearts sttunod 70 sympathy with
AL true lovers.
In SUNDAY 9nhooi