The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1902-12-25

placing a finger on his up;
war stilla, my Olga, | have some
what to tell thee. but yonder httle
pitcher has long ears. SO, ne con.
tinued, turning to mite OIL glri
sitting sedately near the blazing nre-
place. intently engaged in thumoing
a vell.woYn primer book, thou arr
studious, min lila ficka, as ] told
thee to be. Come hither, my little
maid, and show me thy book.
He took the book quickly onered
nim, and deity placing in it something
he secretly drew from his pocket
thrust it out of sight behind him.
"Dost remember. sweetheart, that
I told thee the rooster pictured on
the front page of thy book would
bring thee something If thou vert
good?"
ia, brother Karl. and so l have
been good; ask sister Olga" said the
child, smiling up into his face.
Indeed, yes" answered Olga, draw
ing the little sister close into her
arms, and giving her hug and
kiss. "Thilda is always sweet and
good"
well. then, let us see what the
rooster has brought thee, my Thilda."
Opening the book, Karl pretended
70 be amazed at something he saw,
and showing 1t to Olga, she raised
her hands in well-assumed astonish-
ment. Thilda, unable to restrain her
curiosity, suddenly seized the book
carelessly held in Karl's huge hand
Just within her reach, and opening
It. uttered a shout of delight as she
drew forth a beautiful white candy
dog, with a pink ribbon round its
neck.
Thank you, good Karl" she said
simply, pouting up her lips for kiss.
Nay, child, It's not me thou hast
TO thank, but the rooster" he ex-
planned, adding: Nov. min lila
aicka, thou knowest that the good Jo-
han is far away from home, wilt go
into thy chamber and pray for thy
sisters betrothed? have that to say
to her which thou mayst not hear.
Good child" he continued, patting her
head as she turned obediently to
obey
Il have some news, my sister, about
thy sweetheart. 1t is of some i'm
portance, since it tells me that thy
Johan still lives"
May the good God so ordain," said
Olga fersently, and may He restore
him to my arms"
Amen" murmured Karl but to
the news. TITS now three days since
Johan went into the dark forest tc
cut the frs for the Jul Tieden and
returned not as he should have done
that same night. The next day we
found his ak buried deep in a tree,
as thou knowest, but all other trace
OF him was lost. Well. to-day we PEN
etrated as far as the gloomy Falun
mines and found his empty wallet"
"And-and-thou didst follow his
steps in the snow" stammered Olga.
~Tell me quickly. Karl, my brother"
THAT is what we did not do. Olga,
for the reason that there were no
footprints in the snow. The wallet
could not have been cast there by any
one, for we tracked a circle of a hun
dred yards and found the snow I'M
broken. Moreover, piece Of ore was
laid upon it as If to prevent its being
blown away. 1t was placed there, but
not by Johan, Olga"
Thank God, he has found shelter
shere, some miners, perhaps. He
may even now be on his way to me-"
said Olga, jealousy. 60 quickly, my
brother, to meet bin"
do not raise thy hopes too high,
my sister, neither let thy heart sink
Thy Johan is alive, true, but the hand
tLat placed his wallet where 1t was
found was not that of a mortal. Nay
be not alarmed" he said, putting
an arm around her. for the girl was
seized with a fit of trembling. BE
brave, my sister, and all will be well
II thou wilt be guided by me-"
'In anything and everything, my
brother" said Olga. clasping her
hands. "My soul for Johan's If need
be-"
mot that, kara soster not that shall
be required of thee, but bravery thou
must show, little woman, such BRAY
cry as few men dare show. Thy Jo-
hans return depends upon thee"
81 am ready to face death himself
said Olga. only tell me what to do"
Listen, then. would do 1t for thee
myself, but thou alone canst lace the
ordeal. believe Skogfrau-"
"Oh, my God. the SkogfTau. the ter
rible forest witch. cried the terror
stricken maiden. falling on her knees
and holding up her hands to heaven.
"Spare my Johan on heayeni"