Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-08-09
~; Just enough to. make the world
ely. The wind sang among the pines

Ike the voice of angry water-courses, AM
splintered great boughs in the forest. ant
uproOted blasted trees, and scanned lik'
an invisible presence haunting the recess
es OF the wood-some representation o
Thor, whose touch was blow; and al
the while the snow built up its Aladdin
places, crystal by crystal; wreathed aDou'
the living green, tapestried every bouiuer'
hid the dead leaves and hollows under the
screen, for It was by no means deep; the
weather was too bitter cold for more than
a light fall. just enough to drape nature
gracefully in its folds, and give promise
OF more to come.
Before the sky had cleared, the last
mouthful Of food had vanished, and ex-
cept for partridge that Ben had made
shift to kill with club-for there were
no firearms yet in camp-and rabbit
taken in rude trap Of their own con-
structing, they had not eaten anything for
two days. But they were robust men,
who would have tough fight with star
walton before succumbing and then there
was no lack of water.
In the meanwhile they were almost as
much concerned for Mr. Bruce as for
themselves. He might have lost his way.
they feared, or been overtaken by the
camp any moment too far reduced to help
himself, and need their weak assistance.
Since their stomachs were idle, their
brains became correspondingly active with
fearful imaginations. Every day they pro-
posed setting out to walk home-but per-
haps he would come tomorrow and then
they hated to desert their post; besides,
the weather was singing cold, and reduc-
nd nv h1n srbt c,;p
way, frost-bitten, or, unarmed encounter
Indian devils and wolves! Whatever he
might be able to endure himself, Ben felt
that Uncle Simon's strength was utterly
inadequate to the struggle. They were
set with thousand peradventuros there
was not only lion in the way, but all
manner Of perils. real and imaginary. So
they waited, periorce, watching the days
vanish in tender dream of color, and the
stars MAKE their silent journey across the
deeps of heaven, and the morning dawn
as the rose blooms, unfolding petal after
petal of exquisite bloom. They busted
themselves still about the camp and hovel
giving thousand last touches. such a,
they would never have thought of givinc
at another time, gathering fire wood, and
setting the rabbit trap in vain. And one
and he just dragged himself inside thu
camp, and he stretched himself before the
lire. Uncle Simon had already given out
"Walking home could hardly have beer
worsc." Ben said, simply. Perhaps he
was thinking of somebody who might
have met him kindly at the journeys end
in view Of the dangers he had passed.
Perhaps Bruce III come yet" returned
Uncle Simon. gee
Through a chink in the camp door Ben
watched the sunset fade like a fire among
the woods, and one by one the stars shine
ont, each in its appointed solitude, and the
northern lights palpitate rosily along the
sky. The bowling of wolves echoed dis
mally. while now and then branch
cracked in the forest, and the wind trebled
among the pines. Inside the fire made a
comfortable glow, under the influence of
which he was soon nodding off to sleep,
when through the fog of his sem-con-
seriousness he seemed to hear sort of
ringing in his ears, at first a mere thread
of sound, then louder and nearer, as if
every tree in the forest was church stee-
pie with all the bells swinging. Then
he heard no more till smothered groan
from Uncle Simon caused him to raise
himself upon his elbow.
The fire was still swapping and biazing
brightly, and the form and profile of
woman was Swallowed forth upon the wall
Of the camp--a very familiar face and fig
ure it was. too, that appeared to be bend
ing over something that was cooking on
the ire. Was 1t tine excited action of his
brain that photographed Louisa Bruce on
the wall? If SO, he prayed that it might
last forever. Then he turned his head
languidly toward the fire. and met pair
OF eyes that had shone for him all his life
with the fascination OF will-o-the- wlsp.
were they still to haunt him across the
confines Of this world.
I'll you are awake, Ben, you had better
taste this Cruel thst have made for you.'
saia Louisa, quietly. you mnst be near
How came you here p was all the ans
wer Ben v0uchsafed.
starved. Who else could come, and faith
er not able to lift his head brought Tim :;
ne Is putting up the horses. It's no such
pleasant journey either / can tell you, be-
tween the wolves and the frost, not to
mention cold welcome. Come, amt you
going to take something? Here's broth
"A~ "a "ioy Aho Z iuOi-tahc y Jul 'ioite-
"Nay, you shall choose for me-" said
Ben. Listen. Unless You take back
the words you spoke when we met last.
unless you give me back love for love,
swear Twill not taste a morsel of anything
you have to offer. I'll stay here and starve
rather than take crumb of comfort from
your hand"
What did say ?" asked Louisa, meekly.
You said that you could live without
me-
..Oh yes. suppose could. but | should
Mt want to-
But you refused to marry me-
Certainly, because you didn't want TO
marry girl with no more heart than an
adder, Ben"
IL want to marry yon heart or no
heart
Very well; have some broth first. won't
you? ?"
And then Tim came in, and Uncle
Simon awoke, and there was an end OF
starvation in the camp.
Summer