The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-08-03

license, with which he meant to surprise
somebody up at Oestruo's farm. 1t was
five years today since he eft 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 today" she
said, holding out her hand for penny.
"Gentlefolks?" he cried, with a happy
laugh: "Why, Gurid, l am Ola who
used to herd cattle at Oestruo's dairy"
you, Olaf who was on the parish2
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 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.
n1a cot ctil1 lilo q rooE. b11t etraroa
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 Bright
Oestruo and Thorger Sletten. She
looked pale and sad, he defiant.
"You didn't expect me to your we'd
ding, Bright Oestruo?" he said, and
stared hard at her. She gave a 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."
"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, ito have to fight
for your bride on your wedding day."
Fight? Bright, 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 fghtI' 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 l was child.
But you used force against me and
threats. Now he has come back. I 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 Bright, Jeus Oestruo's daugh-
ter"
Cali that money can buy you shall
have" he added. "Tll 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 thf
wedding guests slowly followed.