Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1894-03-14

She turned pale and caught hold of
birch tree for support. He watched her
narrowly.
What are you going to do in Ameri-
ca, OLAF" she asked softly.
"Change my skin" he replied, with
vigor that startled her. And if come
back within five years with changed
skin will You promise to wait for me-?
81 PROMISE" she whispered, weeping
quietly upon his shoulder.
Five years FROM that day young man
was seen Fastening up the hillside to
Oestruo. He had big SLOUGH hat ON
his head and he was well dressed.
His face was strong, square and de-
termined, his eyes danced VITA 10Y, for
in his pocket he had royal ma criage
license, with which he meant to surprise
somebody up at Oestruo's farm. 1t was
| five years today since he eft her, and it
was five years she had promised to wait
| for him.
For this hour he had toiled, saved and
suffered for five long weary years. He
had been silver miner in Leadville
when the place was yet new. and he had
sold his claim for $4,000.
AS he was hurrying along, an old
woman, who was sitting by the road
side, hailed him.
"Gentlefolks out walking todayY she
said, holding out her hand for penny.
"Gentlefolks?" he cried, with happy
laugh: "Why, Gurid, am Ola who
used to herd cattle at Oestruo's dairy"
"You, Olal who was on the parish?
Then you must have changed your
skin"
"That was what l went to America
for" he answered, laughing.
The church lay half way up the hill
side. There Ola sat down to rest, for
he had walked far and was tired. Pres
emily he heard music up under the
ledge of the forest; there was one clar-
met and several fiddles.
A bridal partyl Yes, there was the
bride, with silver crown upon her head
and shining brooches upon her bosom.
The procession came nearer. Now the
master of the ceremonies opened the
church doors wide and went to meet the
bride and groom.
Ola sat still like rock; but strange
numbness came over him. As the party
drew near to the gate of the churchyard
he arose and stood, tall and grave, in thu
middle of the road. Then came Birgit
Oestruo and Thorger Sletten. She
looked pale and sad, he defiant.
"You didn't expect me to your wed
ding, Bright Oestruo% he said, ant
stared hard at her. She gave scream
the crown fell from her head; she rushed
forward and flung her arms about hi
neck.
"Now come" he cried, ''whoevel
dares, and I'll make merry bridal"
Jeus Oestruo stepped forward ani
spoke. His voice shook with wrath ant
the veins swelled upon his brow.
"Here l am he said. "If you wan
the girl you shall fight for her."
"Not with you, old man. retortet
Ola; "but with Thorger I'll fight. LIE
him come forward"
The bridal guests made ring on tn,
green and the bridegroom came slowl,
forward.
, lizard luck" he said, 'sto have to figh
for your bride on your wedding day."
Fight? Bright, who in her happines
had been blind and deaf, woke up witt
Ola's neck and stepped up between tn
two men.
"Oh, do not fight, do not fight" sh
} entreated, holding out her hands first t
one claimant and then to the other.
"You know father, for whom l hav
! waited for these five years. You know
whom have loved since l was child
But you used force against me an
threats. Now he has come back. | al
no longer afraid of YOU"
"Whoever will be my wedding CUES
} let him follow" shouted Ola, "for
have in my hand a royal license to b
married to Bright, Jeus Oestruos daugf
ter"
"All that money can buy you sha
have" he added. ''Tll make wee
:. ding the fame of which shall be hear
in seven parishes around"
He took the brides arm and marche
boldly into the church.
The wedding guests looked at Jeu
Oestruo, who was venting his wrat
upon the groom.
you cowardw he yelled, ''you IL
! the girl be snatched away before you
very nose. | am glad enough to be ri
of snch son-in-law. Come, folks; we
have our wedding yet. A girl belong
to him who can catch her."
} With wrathful snort he stalked i
through the open church door, and tn
wedding guests slowly followed.-Bo
ton Globe.
The Division of Time.