Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-07-20

ran down the hillside. so that the stone,
and dry leaves few about her.
That night he picked quarrel with
Thorger Sletten, who was said TO be at
tentive to jBirgit. and he thrashed him.
All the following winter he kept watch
Of her from afar, and picked quarrels
with everybody whom she seemed to
favor.
"change my skin" he pondered.
Change my skin. like the hare. How,
oh, how can do ity'
This thought followed him day and
night. One day, in the spring, an emf
grant ship bound for America appeared
st the mouth Of the river.
Ola packed together his few traps and
went up TO oestruo's to say goodby. He
met Birgit in the birch grove behind the
barn. II was the time whom the buds
were bursting and the swallows had
Just returned.
well, Ola. where are you goingY'
she asked, as she saw him coming with
bundle and staff In hand.
ITO America"
+ "Americar' she cried. American
The answer seemed TO frighten her.
She turned pale and caught hold Of a
birch tree for support He watched her
narrowly.
What are ron going to do in Ameri-
ca, Ola7" she asked softly.
"Change my skin. he replied, with q
vigor that startled her. "And IL / come
back within five years with changed
skin will yom promise 10 wait for me?-'
II prom,se. she whispered. weeping
quietly upon his shoulder
.
Five years from that day young man
was seen fastening up the hillside to
Oestruo He had big slouch hat ON
his head and he was we'll dressed.
His face was strong. sqra.s and de-
termined, his eyes danced VITA 10Y, for
In his pocket he had a royal marriage
license, with which he meant to surprise
somebody up at Oestruo's farm. II was
Ave years today since he eft her, and II
was five years she had promised TO wait
for him.
For this hour he had toiled, saved and
suffered for five long weary years. He
had been a silver miner In Leadville
when the place was yet new. and he had
sold his claim for $4,000. Z.
As he was hurrying along, an old
woman, who was sitting by the road
side, hailed him.
"Gentlefolks out walking todayY' she
said, holding ont her hand for q penny.
"Gentlefolks?" he cried, with happy
laugh: "Why, Gurid, am Ola who
used 10 herd cattle at Oestruo's dairy"
"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 the hill
side. There Ola sat down to rest, for
he had walked far and was tired. Pres
emily he heard music up under the
ledge Of the forest; there was one clar-
met and several fiddles.
A bridal party! Yes. there was the
bride, with n silver crown upon her head
and shining brooches upon her bosom.
The procession came nearer. Now the
master OF the ceremonies opened the
church doors wide and went to meet the
bride and groom. ... ....
Ola sat still like rock; but strange
numbness came over him. AS the party
drew near to the gate of the churchyard
he arose and stood, tall and grave, in the
middle OF the road. Then came Birgit
Oestruo and Thorger Sletten. She
looked pale and sad, he defiant.
"You didn't expect me TO your wed
ding, Birgit OestruoY" he 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.
"Now come." he cried, whoever
dares, and I'll make merry bridal"
Jeus Oestruo stepped forward and
spoke. His voice shook with wrath and
the 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 ring on the
green and the bridegroom came slowly
forward.
Hard luck" he said, "to 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
ons claimant and then 10 the other.