Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-05-29

Margaret to this concealment we shall not
attempt to divine. Perhaps it was only a
passing within; but if so it was changed
into a settled resolution, when, on the FOL-
lowing morning Rulh's father acquainted
them with the fact that stag had been
found shot in the forest by the royal hunt
ing party, and that SO daring breach of
the forest laws would assurcdly be punished
with the utmost penalty that rigorous code
afforded. Alarmed and perplexcd. Marga-
ret determined TO conceal all knowledge
of the stranger, lest, by her means, he
might be detected for she feared that hel
rescuer was one of those outlaws who
were known to infest the forest, and that
though he might find immunity for that
particular offence, he could not escape being
convicted of others as heinous.
Yet Margaret could not forget her pre-
server. In her waking or sleeping dreams
his manly form was ever before her, looking
as it did when he sprang from the copse
REQUIRED to her memory she owned to
herself that she had never seen any one
of such rare manly beauty. She strolled
oftener than ever into the forest, and Ruth
noticed-for are not all women quick to
notice such things that whenever her
theme of conversation was their unknown
preserver, her mistress listened to her with
more than common interest.
Several days had now elapsed since
their escape from the stag, when, one after.
noon, Margaret and Ruth found themselves
in that portion of the forest where theil
fright had occurred. As it was some dist.
ance from the lodge, they felt fatigued by
their walk, and sitting down on a shady
knoll, naturally fell into conversation
on the stranger who had so opportunity
come to their aid. But few minutes had
thus passed when light step was heard
approaching, and as the females hastily
arose, the stranger stood before them.
'Be not alarmed fair lady," said he
lifting his cap, and addressing Margaret
Il said when we parted the other day thai
we might meet again. redeem my word
But if my presence affrights you, | re-
tire"
The maiden blushed deeply at this ad
dress SO unlike that of one in the speaker!
sphere Of life. Her bosom was agitatcd
lllcull"IllC Will ClllDllDlS
which produced momentary embarrass
ment, and confusion in her countenancc
only serving to heightcn her beauty in til,
strangers eyes. At length she spoke.
But, sir stranger, do You not run a risk
by this Believe me, would not have yol
come to i'll, but know that danger besel
your footsteps. Them" she added, NOR,
earnestly than the next moment she though
maidenly, "hy from the forest
The stranger smiled as he answered.
"You think that the outlaws life is haz
ardous, but have only to sound this
and he lightly touched his bugc. land
score of stout arms are around me-.
There was something 50 fascinating il
the strangers manner that, despite her bet
ter judgement Margaret felt chained to thu
spot. Nor did Ruth show any create
disposition to depart. Before five minute
had elapsed, Margaret found herself con
versing with the gallant outlaw as frcel J
as if she had known him for months. II
for moment, she would think such con
duct improper, the next reflection woult
be, had he not saved her life Besides Wa
not Ruth at handl Is it wonder there
fore, that the grateful girl suffered tn,
stranger to linger by her side for nearly
an hour, or that after they had parted, sh'
thought of him oftencr than she would
have been willing a week before to admi
she could ever think Of any one cxcep
her father? Is it a wonder that she oftel
stroled into the forest with Ruth, and tina
she never returned without having seen tn,
outlaw! In a word is il any wonder tina
she loved!