, 1873-03-02

1
| ing tho forest they were obliged to rido Sin
gle file through the narrow trail. !" You 60 first
| Preston, " said Victor Lee; :" will rido bchin
| Miss Fay" Tleee three wero tho laat OF the fle
| ing among the chorus in front, bnt Marmaduk'
had bis Pipe in bis mouth; and pipe disrosc'
| to meditation. Helen rode on in silence, bu
gradually O strange agitation took possession 0
bar; she moved rostlossly in her saddle, p1uckct
toaTes from tho oyerhansing boughs, an!
hummed fragments OF songs. At Inst she turned
slowly and looked back, but, when sho met Vic
tors eyes; ae ayerted her head quickly, as it j,
dread Again and again Was this little pan
tomlne repeated, and each tinao her face grey
palcr. At last, as II in desperation, Duke, ah
called, in shnrp tone, " arc you asleep Z"
- Only dny-dreaming," answered Preston
looking lazily oVor his shoulder.
!" Rein up your horse and ride at my side,
commanded the lady, imporionsly.
'.Ihst is rnanitest i1apossibillty, Helen"
Well, then, let me pass you"
- You arc better of as you are. You have
Ice behind you, and am in front so that, il
.,r horse should stumble, we can see to you
Do you feel restless, de4r?'
settlod herself firmly in her saddle, aud rss.
olutely squared hor shoulders, saying to herself,
IT will not look bacl1 again" But tho nervous.
ness only increased; it seemed as il something
IVES burning through her from bohind-aa il
something drow her head to the left 30 that her
eyes LOulO h1AuE3 DHEhNATQ-n8 II 6QlQe[Olu2
WAS touching her with a magnetic power, q
power both gentle and droadful, which made
her SILVER. She endured this state as long a.
hcr strength and her pride held out then. IS
the road became rocky and brokon, she seized
upon that pretext. ''Dule, am afraid Do
come nearer"
"Hov can I, Helcn7 The road is perfectly
safe. You never used to DO so timid."
Il know it; but am now"
Victor Lee jumped down from his horse, and,
leaving the steady old animal to keep his place
in the rear OF the slow-moving file, he slapped
am tirod Of riding at this snals pace" ho
said; "1os me be your squire while, Miss
Fay
'oh, no." answered Helen, shrinking back.
"Duko, persuade Mr. Leo to mount again"
M: Lee v, dess not Tsh to ..h be persuaded "
walk, anyway and why not here, since you feel
nervous2 Preston, won't you get down and
keep me- company A walk will do you good,
you lazy Hercules"
But ,Marmaduke rode on, as Victor knew he
would.
':Walk if you like, Lee," he said, laughing at
the others unnecessary e1ertion. unhappy
mortal, You do not know the deliciousnesa Of
lazy pipe on balmy afternoon"
"No, 1 am no smoker" replied Victor then,
after pause, he added in a lower tone: "But
ali tho drugs Of tho East, that haze not fully
teBted. I described to you on Lake Huron
one Of the visions that came to mo in opium;
shall tell you anothor now, to pass away the
time, Miss Fay7"
back, as il trying to escape from those rolent-
less blue eyes, which seemed to have, at times.
q yellow circle around the hluo, and al unmoy-
ing steadiness Of vision almost ophidian; and
yet, they we're beautiful '.Yos," ahe said, final
II, with a long ng-drawn breath.
Cea cnpe1en1a .rraraH fhrnYph The dean
dark forest, laughter songs. end busy talking
in front; then, smoking h1arnadnke, lost in
q contented reyerie; and last. these two who
had fallen q little behind, tho mans low voice
listener lcaning toward him in 1apt attention,
pa1ing md auahing, but never once turning her
The sun began to sink in tho west, and sent
long alanting rays under the pines.
Now, thon;" said Marmaduke, atlast, putting
up his pipe, s'what are you two talking about
thore behind? have heard Low murmur for
the last hour"
"Come and listen for yourself, unless in
deed, you are too lazy to listen" said Victor,
some Of my Oriental adventures, pomegranates,
iced sherbet, aud the like. And that reminds
me that we must not forget our brooa-t1out.
uore, jean, where is that trout-5rook?"
"La-bas,' answered the old man, pointing of
to the right. ..
"And here is my rod, all ready; will take
Jean, 60 across the ravine, catch trout enough
for supper, aud join you at the camp said Vic
tor, unfastening . rod so perfect in al its ap-
pointments that Marmaouke's eyes glistened with
enthusiasm.
'sWhat beauty!" be exclaimed; n never
uau one like it. May ask whore you got tt"
'From Sir John Wentworth" !" answered Victor,
carelessly, naming celebrated English travel
er who had crcsaed the ocean for the especial
pleasure Of shooting buffalo; sf1 met him on
b;o xrau Weat TAXA tha rod If ynr like Praa.
ION, and try your hand for while.'
"Oh thank you" said the amateur sportsman,
tating the coveted rod in his hand; then to
Helen: "You do not object, do you :"
AZ cannot bo left-1 muGt not be left" she
said, hurriedly, with doTncast eyes
III will stay with you until Preston roturns,"
said Victor; "of course, We would not both leave
Iou: Go on, old fellow, and when you aro tired
will take your place"
s'If there is anything like, it is = chance at q
.rout so, Helen, If you do not object, I will go
tor little while,' said Marmaduke, still looking.
It tho rod
Helen looked at her lover, and her lips opened,
but Victor took the words from her mouth:
ion the rest Of the b p md ha7e
n aer1y W time. 90, Preston Miss Fey wishes it,"
10 said, with his eyes fixed upon Helen.
$50, Duke; wish it," repeated Helen, |
But Mn1madule did not notice |
aYino in minute, followed by Jean and Lis |
log; Victor, with touch Of his switch, sent the
NO riderless horses On in advance to join the |
lie in front, and then, resu1ning his place By |
lelen's eide. be kept his hand on her bride, |
nd slackencd the pace, until they too, we're vir-
ua1ly alone in the forest.
As the long twilight deppened into dusky |
ycuipg, four persons came into the camp at the |
oot of tho Iron Mountain.
lane; :" how did you happen to {al1 so far
'ehind us2 Helon, relied upon you to keep
% & Behold gracious lady, our excuse" inter-
,osed Victor, taking = long string Of trout from
be basket !" tonight We shall feast with the |
,ods." ....
A cry Of delight broke from the hungry chorus
t this sight there was q great clatter OF dishes
nd hustle with blankets and branches going On
round the fire. part Of the novel and noisy
leasures OF camping-ont. Helen Fay stood
The shadow Victor had lifted her from her
orse, and then turned away as Preston came up. |
"Tired, dear2" he asked. Then, without
rafting for hor answer: "Such sportl Such
rand sport. Helen!"
0WhY did you leave me? Why did you not
ONE back sooner ?" she asked, almost sternly. |
at was too bad; forgive me, dear. But oh,
mi, o,,ort Hn1eF really be1ieye that II Tee