Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-08-26
)RT TOBACCO. MARYLAlp. AUGUST 26. 1892

~ ~" NVh uHutfstauu me, ne
said dts no use talking"
"Oh, yes, do understand you,
Ola " she replied, with smile, "aud
wish you would let me say one thing
TO sOu before 60"
"Say it."
q wish-l wish,n she stammered,
while a quick blush sprang to her
checks. "No, think | won't say it,
aftc' all," she finished, and hurried TO
go.
"Yes, say it, be entreated, scizing
her hand.
"Well. IL wish you could do as
the hare, change your skim"
Size drew her hand away from his
aud ran down the hillside, so that the
stones anl dry leaves flew about her.
That night he picked a quarrel with
Thorger Slelten, who was said to be
attentive to Bright, and he thrashed
him. All the following winter he
kept watch of her from afar and
picked qnarrel' with everybody whom
she seemed TO favor.
"Caange my skin," he pondered.
"Cllange my skin, like the hare.
How, oh, how can do il?"
This thought followed him day and
night. Ono day. in the spring, an
emigrant ship bound for America ap-
peared at the mouth Of the river.
Ola packed together his few traps
and went up to oastruo's to say good
by. He met Brgit In the birch grove
behind the barn. II was the time
when the buds we're bursting and the
swallows had just returned.
"Well, Ola, where are you going ?"
she asked, as she saw him coming
with bundle aud staff in hand.
"To America"
"Anerical" she cried, ''Americal"
The answer seemed to frighten ner.
She turned pale and caught hold of a
birch treo for support. lie watched
her narrowly.
"What arc you going to do in
Oa?" she asked softly.
'.Change my skin," he replied with
a vigor that startled her. "And If l
come buck within five years with a
skin you will promise TO
wait for me?'
"1 PROMISE" she whispered, weep
ing quietly upon his shoulder.
Five years from that day young
o .is. -a.I4.p 9is y Sslouca " ia
)n his hcad and he was well dressed.
His face was strong, square and de
ermined, his eyes danced with joy
for in his pocket he had royal mar
'iage license with which he meant tt
surprise somebody up at Oestruo'
farm. 1t was five years today sine
10 left her, and it was five years she
lad promised 10 wait for him.
For this hour he had toiled, saveC
ind suffered for five long weary years,
lie had been u silver miner in Lead
Vile when the place was yet new, and
le sold his claim for $4,000.
AS he was hurrying along an ol,
woman, who was sitting by the road
side, hailed him.
"Gcntlefolks out walking todayp
,ho said, holding out her hand for ,
penny.
"Gentlefolks2" he cried. with ,
happy laugh. "Why, Gurid. | an
Ola who used to herd cattle at Oest
ruo's dairy"
"You, Olal who was on the parish
Then you must have changed you
,kin."
s'That was what l went to Americi
for,r he answered. laughing.
The church lay half way up the hill
tide. There Ola sat down 10 rest, foI
le had walked far and was tired
Presently he heard music up undcl
he ledge of the forest; there was ont
,larinet and several fldiles.
A bridal partyl Yes, there was TIN
pride, with a silver crown upon hcl
read and shining brooches upon hel
,osom.
The procession came nearer. Now thu
Master of the ceremonies opened tht
church doors wide and went to NEE
he Lride and groom.
Ola sat sti!l like a rock; but
range numbness came over him. A
he party drew near 10 the gate of tn
,hurchyard lie arose and stool, tai
md grave, in the mid lie of the roal
rhen came Birgit Osslruo and Thor
ger Soften. She looked pale and sad
ne defiant.
"You didn't expect me to your wed
ling, Birgit Oestruo9" he said, AM
stared hard at her. She gave a scream
Ihe crown fell from her head, sh
rushed forward and flung her arm
about his neck.
"Now come," he cried. "whoeve
dares, and I'll make a merry bridal.
Jeus Oestru stepped forward ant
spoke. His voice shook with wra'l
aud the veins swelled upon his brow
"Here l am" he said. "It yo
want the girl you shall fight for her.
"Not with you, old man." retorte
Ola; "but with Thorgcr I'll fight
,et him come forward"