The Evening critic., 1885-04-30

meant TO surprise somebody up on the
Oestmo farm 1t was Eve years to-day
since he left her, and It was FIVE years she
had promised to wait for him. For this
hour he had toiled, saved and suffered for
five long aud weary years. He had been
silver.miner in Leadville when the place
was yet new, and be had sold his claim for
$4,000.
AS he was hurrying along an old woman
who was sitting at the roadside hailed
him,
"Gentlefolks out walking to-day" she
said, holding out her hand for a penny.
"Gentlefolks l' he CRIED with happy
laugh. "Gentleiolks did you say, Gurd p
eyes, said gentlefolks," said the old
woman gazing with big eyes at the dol
lar no had flung into her hand.
why, Gurid, / am Ola, who used to
herd cattle at the oestmo saeter."
"You, Ola who was on the parish
Then you must have changed your skin"
THAT was what | went to America for"
he answered, laughing.
The church lay half way up tho hillside.
There Ola sat down to rest, for ho had
walked far and was tired. Presently he
heard music up under the edge of the
forest there were one clarionet and sew
eral fiddles. A bridal party Yes, there
was tho bride, with the silver crown upon
her head ard shining brooches upon her
bosom. Pistol-shots were heard, aud sing
ing and laughter. The procession came
nearer. The birds flew up frightened along
the roadside and the squirrels climbed chat
teriDg into the tops of the fir trees. Now
the master of ceremonies opened the church
doors wide and went to meet the bride and
groom. Ola sat still, like a rock but a
strange numbness came over him the
ground beloved under his feet. AS the
party drew near to the gate Of the church.
yard, he rose and stood, tall and grave, in
the middle of the road. The iddlers stared
at him and stepped aside. Then came
Bright Oestmo and Thorger Sletten. She
looked pale and sad he defiant.
"You didn't expect me to your wedding,
Bright Oestmo ~ no said, and stared hard at
her. She gave scream the crown fell
from her head she rushed forward and
flung her arms about his neck lie held
her long and close.
NOW come" he cried, "whoever dares,
and I'll make merry bridal
Jens Oestmo stepped forward and spoke.
His voice shook with wrath, and tho veins
swelled upon his brow.
Here am" he said "if you want the
girl you shall fight for her."
mot with you, old man." retorted Ola,
"but with Thorger I'll fight. Let him come
forward"
The bridal guests made a ring on the
green, and the bridegroom came slowly
| forward.
Hard luck" he said, ito have to fight
for your bride on your wedding day.
Fight? Birgit, who in her happiness had
been blind and deaf, woke up with start.
| She unwound her arms from Ola's neck and
| stepped up between the two men.
"Oh do not fight; do not fight" she
entreated, holding out her hands first to
the one claimant and then to the other.
"Out Of the way, girl; out Of the way!"
shouted her father seizing her by the arm
NO." she cried, 81 shall stand where l
stand. You know, father, for whom 1 have
waited these five years. You know whom
| i have loved since / was child. But you
| used force against me and threats. Now he
has come back. l am no longer afraid of
| you"
Whoever will be my wedding guest, lot
him follow" shouted Ola, "for i have in
my hand royal license to be married
TO Bright, Jens Oestmo's daughter"
He pulled the paper from his pocket and
swung it above his head.
GAN that money can buy, you shall
have" he added. "l'll make wedding, the
fame of which shall be heard in seven par
ishes round"
He took the brides arm and marched
boldly into the church. The wedding
guests looked at Jens Oestmo who was
venting his wrath upon the groom.
"You coward" he yelled. "You let the
girl DO snatched away before your very
nose and do not strike blow for her
am glad enough to be rid of such son.in.
law. Come, folks Well have our wed.
ding yet. A girl belongs to him who eau
catch her."
With q wrathful snort he stalked in
through the open church door, and the
wedding guests slowly followed.