The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-09-09

in his pocket he had royal marriage
license with which he meant to surprise
somebody up at Oestruo's farm. II
was FIVE years to-day since he left her,
end it was five years she had promised
to wait for him.
For this hour he had toiled, saved
snl suffered for fve weary years. He
hal been o silver miner in Leadville
when the place was yet new, and he had
sold his claim for s50, 900.
As he was hurrying along an old
woman, who was sitting by the roadside,
hailol him.
Genti"folks out walking to-day ?"
she said holding out her hand for penny.
tiontlefolks ?" be cried, with happy
larsh. Why, Gurid. I'm Ola who
used to herd cattle at Oestruo's dairy"
You Olal who was on the parish
Then you must have changed your
skin"
"ThN WAS wha. I went to America
for, lie answered, laughing.
The church lay half way up the hill.
side. There Ola sat down to rest, for
lie had walked far and was tired. Pres
emily he heard music up under the
ledse OF tho forest there was one clar-
met and several tidjles.
A bridsl party Yes, there was the
bride, with silver crown upon her
heal aad shining brooches upon her
GUson.
The procession came nearer. Now
the master Of the ceremonies opened the
church donrs wide anl wen. 70 ID eet tho
bn . an groom.
Ola sat still like rock; bu. strange
nrmbn 'ss came over him. AZ the party
drew near 20 tie gate OF the ohurchyard
l.e arose and stood, tall aud grave, in
the middle Of the road. Then came
Eirgi. Oastruo snd Thorser Sletten.
$40 looked pale and sad, he defiant
"Iou tidnt expect me to your we'd
ding. Birgit Oestruo ?" he said, and
stared hard a. her. She gave scream;
tho crown fell from her head; she rushed
forward srd fung her arms about his
neck.
Now coue, "hc cried, whoever darcs
q, / I'll raAss q merry bridl"
J-us Osstruo stepped forward and
spoke His voice shook with wrath and
the ins swelled upon his brow.
here an" be said II you want
the girl you shall fight for her"
Not with you. old msn." retorted
Ola; " but with Thorser I'll fight Let
him come forward
The bridal guests made ring on the
green and tie bridegroom came slowly
forward
Hard luck" he said. Ito have TO
sight fos your bride on your Wedding
dsv."
Fight? Rirsit, who in her happiness
hal teen Lknd and deaf, woke up with
8 start. She unwound her arms from
Olas neck and stepped up between the
two men.
"Ch, so not hght, do no. fghtr' she
entres.ed, holding OIL. her hands first to
one claimant and thea TO the other.
"You know, father, for whom I have
waited for these i've years. You know
whom have loved since I WAS child.
But you used force against me and
threats. Now he has come back.
an no lor yer afraid Of You"
"Whoe ier will be ny wedding guest
let him follow. shouted Ola, for / have
in my hand royal license to be mar.
riei to Birgit, Jeus Oes.ruo's daughter"
All that money can buy you shall
hare" he added. I'll mako wed.
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
Oeesruo, who was venting his wrath
upon the groom,
You coward he yelled, "you let
the gi.l be snAteAed away before your
very nose. l am glad enough to be nd
Of sucA son.in-lav. Come, folks; wen
have our wedding yet A girl belongs
TO him wko can catch her"
With o vrathful snort he stalked in
through the open church door, and the
wedding guests slowly followed.
ton Globe.