The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-12-11
NUMBER 40.

''Oh, ii is | who have put you up 10
this. Ola" she whispered. TREMENDOUSLY.
YES, thank God, IL was YOU" he
cried, drawing her close up to him:
land if / come back within five years.
with a changed skin, will you promise
TO wait for me?"
Il promise" she whispered. weeping
quietly upon his shoulder.
'Then NAV God bless YOU. BirCit." he
cried. gazing into her face with radiant
eyes, for you have saved me from
helli''
Five years from that day a young
man was seen fastening up the hill
sides to Oestmo. lie had n big slouch
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 a royal
marriage license with which he meant
TO surprise somebody on the Oestmo
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 suffered
for five long and weary years He had
been a silver-mincr in Leadville when
the place was yet new, and he had sold
his claim for $4,000.
As he was hurrying along an old wom-
an who was sitting by the roadside
hailed him.
''Gentlefolks out walking to-day?"
she said, holding out her hand for a
penny.
"Gentlefolksi" he cried. with happy
laugh. "GentlefollIs did YOU say,
Gurid2-
Yes, said gentlefolks,'' said the old
woman, gazing with big eyes at the dol
lar hc had flung into her hand.
why. Gurid. am Ola who used to
herd cattlc at the Oestmo saeter-"
You, Ola, who was on the parish?
Then ."u must have changed your
skin
THAT was what 1 went to America
for" lac answered, laughing.
The church stood half way up the hill
side. There Ola sat down to rest, for he
had walked far and was tired. Present
ly he heard music up under the edge
of the forest; there were one cIarionet
and several fiddles. \ bridal party,
Yes, there was the bride, with the silver
crown upon her head and shining
brooches upon her bosom Pistol shots
were heard, and singing and laughter.
The procession came nearer. The birds
flew up frightened along the roadside
and the squirrels climbed chattcriug
into the tops of the firtrees- Now the
master of ceremonies opened the church
doors wide. and went to meet the bride
and groom. Ola sat still. like a rock:
but strange numbness came over him;
the ground heaved under his feet. As
the party drew near to the gate of the
churchyard. lIe arose and stood tall and
grave. in the middle of the road. The
iddlers stared at him, and stepped
aside. Then came Birgit Oestmo aud
Tborger Sletten- She looked pale and
sad; he defiant
You didn't expect me at your we'd
ding. Bright Oestmo2" he said. and
stared hard at her She gave a scream; L;
the crown fell from her head; she
rushed forward and flung her arms
] around his neck. He held her long and
close
Now. come" he cried, whoever
dares. and I'll make a merry bridal"
Jens Oestmo stepped forward and
spoke His voice shook with wrath
and the veins swelled upon his brow.
Here 1 am he said; If you want
the girl. You shall fight for her"
Not with you. old man." retorteC
Ola, but with Thorger I'll fight. Ler
him come on"
The bridal guests made ring OF
the green. and the bridegroom cam,
slowly forward
Hard luck" he said. "to have t,
fight for your bride on your wedding
day
| Fight? Bright. who in her happineS:
had been blind and deaf. woke up Will
a start. She unwound her arms from
Ola's neck and stepped between the two
| men.
.'Oh, do not fight, do not fight sh,
entreated. holding out her hands frs
10 the one claimant and then TO th'
other.
'Out of the way, girl. out of IN,
way" shouted her father, seizing he
by the arm.
NO" she cried. Il shall stand wher,
] stand. You know. father, for whom
i have waited these five years. NoI
know whom l have loved since I wa
child. But you used force agains
me. and threats Now he has com,
back l am not afraid of you an,
longeri"
''Whoever will be my wedding guest
let him follow" shouted Ola, for her,
/ have in my hand royal license to h
married to Bright. Jens Oestmoi
daughter
He pulled the paper from his poke
and swung it above his head
'All that money can buy you shall
have" he added. I'll make a wedding
the fame of which snail be heard il
seven parishes round,'
He took the brides sm and marched
boldly into the church. The wedding
guests looked at Jens Oesimo, who wa:
venting his wrath upon the groom
You coward he yelled You lie
the girl he snatched away before YOU
very nose and do not strike blow fol
her, I am glad to get rid of such Z
son-in-Iaw Come, folksl Wen have
orr wedding yet \ girl belongs to hin
who can catch her"
With wrathful snort he stalked il
through the open church door. and the
wedding guests slowly followed.-Chi
cago Inter Ocean.
| The Lake of Blood.
Every polar expedition and whaling
vessel which visits the Baffin bay regiol
puts in at Yaureke Bank. so as to a
low explorers and seamen to visit tn
celebrated Lake of Blood. OF 1t tn
author OF My Summer in the North