The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1892-09-29

ears burncd when any one looked at
him. But IL any one dared to mock
him he used pair of fists which in-
spired respect.
He was h,ndsome enough lad and
finely made, but his clothes aud his
frowsy hair made him look ugly.
Heavy thoughts came to him, aud u
fierce. defiant spirit was kindled with
in him.
Ii was at such time that Birgit
sought him and spoke kindly to him.
"You mustn't mind the girls" she
said, "they laugh at everything. They
don't mean anything by it. It's just
a way they have.
"Somebody will come to harm if
you ever do it," he answered ficrcely.
"That's foolish talk" she gently re-
monstrated. 81 know you too well,
Ola. You wouldn'l harm me-"
"Ah, you don't understand me-" he
said. "lts no use talking"
"Oh,. yes, | do understand you,
Ola," she replied, with smile, "and
wish you would let me say one thing
to you before CO."
"Say it."
81 wish--I WISH" she stammered,
while quick blush spraug to her
checks. "No, l think | won't say it,
after ALL" she finished, and hurried to
go.
eyes, say it," he cutreated, seizing
her hand.
"Well, II wish you c'uld do as
the hare, change your skin"
She drew her hand away from his
and ran down the hillside, so that the
stones and dry leaves flew about her.
That night he picked quarrel with
Thorger Sletten, who was said to be
attentive to Birgit, and he ,hrashed
him. All the following winter he
kept watch of her from afar aud
picked quarrels with everybody whom
she seemed TO favor.
"Change my skim" he pondered.
"Change my skin, like the hare.
How, oh, how can | do il?"
This thought followed him day and
night. One day. in the spring, an
emigrant ship bound for America APP
peared at the mouth of the river.
Ola packed together his few traps
and went up to Ocstruo's to say good
by. He met Birgt in the birch grove
behind the barn. 1t was the time
when the buds were bursting and the
swallo IS had just returned.
"Weli, Ola, where are you going ?"
she asked, as she saw him coming
with bundle and staff in hand,
"To America"
"America!" she cried, "Americal"
The answer seemed to frighten her.
She turned pale and caught hold of n
birch tree for support. lie watched
her narrowly.
"What are you going to do in
America, OLAF" she asked softly.
"Change my skim" he replied with
vigor that startled her. "Aud If |
come back within five years with n
changed skin you will promise to
wait for me?"
81 PROMISE" she whispered, weep
ing quietly upon his shoulder.
Five years from that day young
man was seen hastcnng up tue hillside
to Oestruo. He had btg sIouch ha
on his head aud h. wa, we'll dressed.
His face was strong Sqnnre aud de-
termined, his eyes darced with JOY,
for in his pocket he I'd royal mar
riage license with lch he meant to
surprise somebpdy up II Oc'iruo
farm. 1t was five ears today since
he left her, aud it wa, tive years she
had promised to wit for him.
For this hour be had toiled, saved
aud suffered for five long weary years
He had been silver miner in Lead
vile when the place was yet new, anu
he sold his claim for $50, 600.
AS he was hurrying along an ola
woman, who was sitting by the road
side, hailed him.
"Gentlefoks out walking today
she said, holding out her hand for "a
penny.
"Gentlefolks?" he cried, with
happy laugh. "Why, Gurid' am
Ola who used to herd cattle at Oest-
ruo's dairy"