The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-06-03

And then Erica told her simple story:
How she had come over in an emigrlnt
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 n lady had come down to Castle
Garden aud engaged her for general
houscwork; and how, when she reached
the house an understandable 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 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 | have saved up little
money to so back to find Rolf"
There was no doubt but that Erica
Rjornscn spoke the truth: and Miss Bar
bara Bickford, no mean judge of hui
man nature, believed her thoroughly.
Hush said Miss Barbra, suddenly,
as Erica pushed away her bowl of bread
and milk, there's the coloncrs stick on
the floor; that's the way he calls! Run.
child, rum"
rs he your mastcr?" asked Erica,
starting up.
NO." said Miss Barbara, she's my
brother; but we always call him the
colonel"
SO Erica Bjornaen sat day by day to
have her coroual of dcad-gold hair and
blue ilowcr-like eyes painted in the
quaint dress of Dickens Little Nell,
and Miss Bicl<ford was never tired of
lauding the neatncss and trim, house
keepcr-lil<c ways of the young Swcdc.
II declare" said Miss Barbara, shes
real comfort to me-
Let me see" said the colonel. who
was by this time sufficiently recovered
of his spr;incd ankle to get all around
thc house, and even venture ont as far
rs the dooryard gate, ''how long have
you had herr"
'Wcll-I amt ccrtain-about three
months. l should think"
How long would you like to keep
here"
Always" brislsly responded Miss
Barbara.
The colonel smiled grimly behind the
rcd muStachc.
hcit' Si!t h'. mean 10 give You
the chance. ! shall ask her tomorrow
TO be my wife"
"IIh1t'" cried Miss Bickford.
doesn't it suit you?" said the colonel.
"Anything suits me that suits YOU,
colonel, responded Miss Barbara,
hastily. For the colonel was well-to-
do and whimsical, and Miss Barbara
had always entertained proper defer
cncc to all his opinions "She's pretty
girl, and believe good one"
Though Miss IIarbara's opinion was
not of much weight in this instance:
for if the colonel had announced his in
tcntion Of marrying the broomsticl,,
Miss Barbara would have observed that
it had IA fine straight figure, and would
probably make itself useful about the
house.
When the colonel significd his sover-
eign will and pleasure to Erica. how
ever, he was amazed to encounter OBJ
stacles. She dropped pretty little
courtesy, and thanked HIM in the sweet
est way conceivable.
You are all kind to the poor en-
lie, said She, but am not free, Mr..
Colonel. ! was bctrothed in oar own
land to Rolf. ] must go and seek
him"
You had better think twice of it,
said TIE colonel, gravcly.
Il must go and seek Rolf" repeated
the Swedish maiden.
And She packed her little bundle
again, kissed the outside of the colo
ncrs studio door, cried in VI 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 echoc,
rcso undcd through the empty room. rs
II seeking in vain for Erica S elastic step
and the monotonous little Swedish
chants that Erica used to sing at her
work. AS for the colonel, he strobe ND
and down with bent brows.
81 can't stand this" said the colonel
at last Il shall burn my Little Nell
and go to Kamtchatlla"'
But the third evening Erica Bjornscn
came back, looking very pale and tired
"Will You take me bacll?" said She.
wistfully. "Will you keep me here? ]
i went to the pastor of our little
church III New York. lie sho we'd me
where Rolf lived. | saw Rolls wi life at
the window, and Rolls child in her
arms. Rolf had forgotten me! And
now l will put Rolf out of my heart
Erica" The colonel advanced with
Il half-doubtful look and voice while a
great trembling shook him all over like
IL leaf
Yes" said Erica, putting both hands
into his, while great tear or two
courscd down her checks Forever.
10" love me! You would never forsalle
even kitten that YOU had loved once
God do so unto me and even more"
solemnly spoke the rugged, middle
aged man. IF he not true to Won all