Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1893-06-09

And then Erica told her simple story:
How she had come over in an emigrant
ship to meet her plighted lover, one
Rolf Christensen, who had got work in
New York; how Rolf had failed to be
at the ship. las no doubt he never re-
ceived my letter." said trusting Erica
how a lady had come down TO Castle
Garden and engaged her for general
housework; and how, when she reached
the house an indescribable something
about the place frightened her.
$50 / made up my bundle again"
said Erica, coloring scarlet at the bare
remembrance, land ran away when no
one was looking. And l walked and
walked. and begged my way and slept
in barns of nights, until reached this
part of the country. And l mean to
work until I have saved up a little
money to go back to find Rolf
There was no doubt but that Erica
Bjornsen spoke the truth; and Miss Bar
bara Bickford, no mean judge of hui
man nature, believed her thoroughly.
'Iiush!'' said Miss Barbra, suddenly
as Erica pushed away her bowl of bread
and milk, there's the colonel's stick on
the floor; that's the way he calls! Run,
child, run!"
sis he your master?" asked Erica,
starting up.
"No," said Miss Barbara. "he's my
brother; but we always call him the
colonelr"
SO Erica Bjornsen sat day by day TO
have her coronal of dead-gold hair and
blue fower-like eyes painted in the
quaint dress of Dickens Little Nell,
and Miss Bickford was never tired of
lauding the neatness and trim, house
keeper-like ways of the young Swede.
II declare" said Miss Barbara, shes
a real comfort to me.''
LET me see," said the colonel, who
was by this time sufficiently recovered
of his sprained ankle to get all around
the house. and even venture out as far
as the dooryard gate, "how long have
you had her?"
"Well-I amt certain-about three
months, should think"
"How long would you like to keep
her?"
Always" briskly responded Miss
Barbara.
The colonel smiled grimly behind the
red mustache.
well" said he, ~ mean TO give you
the chance shall ask her tomorrow
to be my wife"
What" cried Miss Bickford.
Doesn't it suit you?" said the colonel.
Anything suits me that suits you.
I.1 d.
hastily For the colonel was well-to-
do and whimsical, and Miss Barbara
had always entertained a proper defer
ence To all his opinions. "She's pretty
girl, and believe a good one"
Though Miss Barbara's opinion was
not Of much weight in this instance;
for IL the colonel had announced his in
tention of marrying the broomstick,
Miss Barbara would have observed that
it had fine straight figure. and would
probably make itself useful about the
house
When the colonel signified his sover-
eigp will and pleasure to Erica, how
ever he was amazed to encounter OBJ
stacles. She dropped pretty little
and thanked HIM in the sweet
est way conceivable.
You are all kind to the poor ex-
ile." said she, but am not free, Mr..
Colonel. was betrothed in our. own
land To Rolf. ! must go and seek
him"
"You had better think twice of it,
said the colonel, gravely.
Il must GO and seek Rolf" repeated
the Swedish maiden.
And she packed her little bundle
again, kissed the outside of the colo
nel's studio door, cried in NJ ISIS Barba-
ra's arms and went away into the
golden haze of an October evening.
How lone and strange the house
seemed with out her! How the echoes
reso unded through the empty room. as
II seeking in vain for Erica's elastic step
and the mCnotonous little Swedish
chants that Erica used To sing at her
work. As for the colonel, he strobe up
and down with bent brows
IL can't stand this" said the colonel.
st last Il shall burn my Little Nell
and go to Kamtchatka.'
But the third evening Erica Biornsen
S"hit b'tSh' iOonihS very pdic dbu tHcu
''Will you take me back?" said she,
VISIT ully. viii you keep me here?
i went to the pastor of our little
church in New York. He showed me
where Rolf lived. saw Rolls life at |
the window. and Rolls child in her
arms. Rolf had forgotten me! And |
now | will put r off out of my heart"
Erica The colonel advanced with |
a half-doubtful lool, and voice, while a |
great trembling shook him all over like
A leaf.
Yes" said Erica, putting both hands
into his, while great tear or two
down her checks. Forever! |
You love me! You would never forsake
wen kitten that you had loved once"
God do so unto me and even more"
spoke the rugged, middle
,ged man, IF be not true to you all
ny life long, little Erica!''
That was all. They were married
quietly, and Erica makes a good and
owing wife to the colonel, who cher
shes her with deep tenderness that
40 fa,1 lie h.. l. hav nj