St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-06-08

iloW, On! now, can 90 II
This thought followed him day
and night. One day, in the spring,
an emigrant-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
good-by. He met Bright in the birch
grove behind the barn.
well, Ola, where are you going1"
she asked, as she saw him coming
with bundle and staff in hand.
ITO America"
America !" she cried. America !"
The answer seemed to frighten her.
She turned pale and caught hold of
a birch tree for support. He watch
ed her narrowly.
What are you going to do in
America, Ola ?" she asked softly.
"Change my skim" he replied with
vigor that startled her.
"Oh, is it who have put you up
to that, Ola ?"
Eyes, thank Cod it was you," he
cried, drawing her close up to him;
land if l come back within five
years with changed skin, will you
promise to wait for me?"
II PROMISE" she whispered, weep
ing quietly upon his shoulder.
"Then may God bless you, Bright"
he cried, gazing into her face, TOR
you have saved me-"
Five years from that day a young
man was seen fastening up the hill
side to Oestruo's. He had big
SLOUGH hat on his head, and he was
we'll dressed. His face was strong,
square and determined his eyes
danced with joy, for in his pocket he
had royal marriage license with
which he meant to surprise some
body up at Oestruo's farm. 1t was
FIVE years to-day since he left her,
and it was five years she had
promised to wait for him. For this
hour he had toiled, saved, and suf-
fered for five long weary years. He
had been a silver miner in Leadville
when the place was yet new, and he
had sold his claim for fifty thousand
dollars.
AS he was hurrying along. an old
woman, who was sitting by the
roadside, hailed him.
"Gentlefolks ont walking to-day ?
she said, holding out her hand for g
penny. "Gentlefolks ?" he cried with
happy laugh; "gentlefolks, die
you say, Gurid ?"
"Yes, said gentlefolks," said thu
old woman, gazing at the silver coli
he had pressed into her hand.
why, Gurid, am Ola, who uset
to herd cattle at Oestruo's dairy"
you, Ola who was on the par
ish? then you must have changed
your skim"
THAT was what l went to Ameri
ca for" he answered laughing.
The church lay halfway up tn
hillside. There Ola sat down t.
, rest, for he had walked far and wa
tired. Presently, he heard music VI
5 under the ledge of the forest; Their
was one clarionct and several fiddles
t A bridal party Yes, there was tn
bride, with silver crown upon he
head and shining brooches upon he
, bosom. Pistol-shots were heard
: and singing and laughter. The pro
, cession came nearer.
Now the master of the remonie
: opened the church doors wide, AM
. went to meet the bride and groom
=, Ola sat still, like a rock; but
:. strange numbness came over him
t the ground seemed 10 rock under hi
/, feet. AS the party drew near to tn
/. gate of the churchyard, he arose an
! stood tall and grave, in the middl
e of the road. The hddlers stared a
him and stepped aside. Then cam
S Bright Oestruo and Thorger Slettor
/ She looked pale and sad he defiant
D "You didn't expect me to you
S wedding, Bright Oestruo?" he sale
A and stared hard at her. She gave
Y scream; the crown fell from he
V head she rushed forward, and fun
V her arms about his neck. He he'll
:, her long and close.
n Now come" he cried, whoeve
dares, and III makea merry bridal.
:. Jeus Oestruo stepped forward an
l. spoke. His voice shook with wratl
h and the veins swelled upon his brow
5 Here am" he said "If 70
II want the girl, you shall tight fc
g her,
e Not with you, old man" retorte
Ola "but with Thorger I'll hgh
t Let him come forward
!. The bridal guests made ring o
e the green, and the bridegroom can
:. slowly forward.
t. Hard luck he said, to have
fight tor your bride on your weddin
if day"
: Fight! Bright, who in her happ
ness had been blind and deaf, VOL
v up with a start. She unwound h,
o arms from Ola's neck, and steppe
" between the two men.
" "Oh, do not fight, do not fight
she entreated, holding out her hant
/. first to one claimant and then to tt
d other
lie "Out of the way, girl, out of tt