The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1893-03-10

delight.
But when her mother had reached the
hut she ran up to him and Rugged him.
While the cattle were being MIXED he
went to look after his things. She fol-
lowed him, proud in the thought that he
tolerated her.
Look here" he cried, lifting up
brown hare, isn't thaG 3 big fellowY'
what is ity' she asked.
ut is a hare"
mo, it isn't hare. A hare is white.
''It is brown in summer 1t changes
its skin"
HAS he two skins, one inside the
other
Instead of answering he took his knife
and cut the hare's skin.
mo" he said, ''he hasn't got more'n
one."
~
The time came when he had to 90 to
the parson to prepare for confirmation.
1t SO happened that she went the same
year.
But, though he had a coat now, it was
cast off one of Jeus Oestruo's, which
was much too big for him. His boots,
too, and his trousers had seen better
days before they made his acquaintance.
he walked aside from the rest, his
ears burned when any one looked at him.
But if any one dared to mock him, ne
used a pair of fists which inspired re.
spect.
He was handsome enough lad and
finely made, but his clothes and his
frowsy hair made him look ugly. Heavy
thoughts came to him, and fierce, de-
faint spirit was kindled within him.
twas at such time that Bright 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
way they have"
Somebody will come to harm if you
ever do it, he anSwered tiercely.
THAT is foolish talk" she gently re-
monstrated. Il know you too well.
Ola. You wouldn't harm me-"
"Ah, you don't understand me-" he
said. 1T is no use talking"
"Oh, yes, do understand you, Ola. "
she replied, with a smile, land | wish
you would let me say one thing to you
before | CO."
"Say it,"
II wish-I wish" she stammered.
while quick blush sprang to her
cheeks. mo, think | won't say it.
after all, she finished, and turned to 90.
eyes, say it," he entreated, Selling her
hand.
"Well, II wish you could 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 a quarrel with
Thorger Sletten, who was said to be at,
tentive to Bright, and he thrashed him.
All the following winter he kept watch
of her from afar, and picked quarrels
with everybody whom she seemed tc
favor.
"Change my skim" he pondered
"Change my skin, like the hare. How
oh, how can do it?'
This thought followed him day and
night. One day, in the spring an emf
grant ship bound for America appeared
at the mouth of the river.
Ola packed together his few traps and
went up to Oestruo's to say goodby. HI
met Bright in the birch grove behind the
barn. 1t was the time when the bud.
were bursting and the swallows haC
just returned.
well, Ola, where are you goingY
she asked, as she saw him coming with
bundle and staff in hand.
ITO America"
America" che cried. "America~
The answer seemed to brighten her
She turned pale and caught hold of
birch tree for support. He watched he
narrowly.
What are you going to do in Amer
ca, OLAF? she asked softly.
"Change my skin" he replied, with
vigor that startled her And if | com
back within five years with change
skin will you promise to wait for me-"
81 PROMISE" she whispered, weepin
quietly upon his shoulder.
Five years from that day young ma
II was seen Fastening up the hillside
Oestruo. He had big SLOUGH hat o
his head and he was well dressed.
His face was strong, square and d.
termined, his eyes danced WITH 10Y, fC
in his pocket he had royal marriag
license, with which he meant to surpris
somebody up at Oestruos farm. 1t We
five years today since he left her, and
was five years she had promised to wa
q for him.
d For this hour he had toiled, saved an
ID suffered for five long weary years. +
10 had been a silver miner in Leadvil
when the place was yet new, and he ha
sold his claim for $4,000.
&c AS he was hurrying along, an O.
ID woman, who was sitting by the roa
h. side, hailed him.
he "Gentlefolks out walking today" 81
said, holding out her hand for penny
n "Gentlefolks2" he cried, with hapI
I'd laugh: "Why, Gurid, l am Ola wi