Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-07-07
She turned pale and caught hold of
birch tree for support He watched her

She turned pale and caught hold of a
birch tree for support He watched her
narrowly.
"What are you going to do in Ameri-
ca, OLAF" she asked softly.
"Change my skin," lie replied, with
vigor that startled her. "And if come
back within five years with changed
skin will you promise to wait for me?'
81 promise" 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 well dressed
His face was strong, square and de-
termined, his eyes danced VITA 10Y, for
In his pocket he had royal marriage
license, with which he meant to surprise
somebody up at Oestruo's farm. 1t was
five years today 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 weary years. He
had been silver miner in Leadville
when the place was yet new, and he had
sold his claim for $4,000.
AS he was hurrying along, an old
woman, who was sitting by the road
side, hailed him.
"Gentlefolks out walking todayY she
said, holding out her hand for penny.
"Gentlefolks?" he cried, with happy
laugh: "Why, Gurid, l am Ola who
used to herd cattle at Oestruo's dairy"
"You, Olal who was on the parishp
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 partyl Yes, there was the
bride, with 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 a 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 we'd
ding, Birgit Oestruo?" he said, and
stared hard at her. She gave scream
the crown fell from her head; she rushed
forward and flung her arms about he
neck.
"Now come," he cried, "whoevel
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 l am" he said. "If you want
the girl you shall fight for her."
"Not 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 fghtr she
entreated, holding out her hands first to
one claimant and then to the other.
"You know father, for whom l have
waited for these five years. You know
whom have loved since | was child
But you used force against me and
threats. Now he has come back. am
no longer afraid of you"
"Whoever will be my wedding guest
let him follow" shouted Ola, "for
have in my hand royal license to be
married to Birgit, Jeus Oestruo's daugh-
ter"
"All that money can buy you shall
have" he added. "Ill make we'd
ding the fame Of which shall be heard
in seven parishes around"
He took the brides arm and marched
boldly into the church.
The wedding guests looked at Jeus
Oestruo, who was venting his wrath
upon the groom.
"You coward" he yelled, "you let
the girl be snatched away before your
very nose. am glad enough to be rid
of such son-in-law. Come, folks; we'll
have our wedding yet. A girl belongs
to him who can catch her."
With wrathful snort he stalked In
through the open church door, and the
wedding guests slowly followed.-Bos-
ton Globe.
The Division of Time.
The division of time into ho1rs WAS