Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-08-14


great boughs in the forest, and up
rooted blasted trees, and seemed like
an invisible presence haunting the
recesses Of the wood-some imperson-
alton OF Thor, whose touch was blow
and all the while the snow built up its
Aladdin palaces, crystal by crystal
wreathed about the living green,
tapestried every boulder, 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
except for q partridge that Ben had
made shift to kill with club-for there
we're no firearms yet in camp-and
rabbit taken in rude trap of their own
constructing, they had not eaten any
thing for two days. But they were
robust men, who would have a tough
| fight with starvation before succumb-
ing 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 over
taken by the storm or the wolves he
might come into camp any moment too
far reduced to help himself, and need
their weak assistance. Since their
stomachs were idle, their brains be-
came corresponding y active with fear
tul imaginations. Every day they pro-
posed setting out to walk home-but
perhaps he would come tomorrow and
then they hated TO desert their post :;
besides, the weather was stinging cold,
and, reduced by hunger, they might
faint by the way, frost-bitten, or, un-
armed encounter Indian devils and
wolves Whatever he might be able
TO endure himself, Ben felt that Uncle
Simon's strength was utterly made
! quate TO the struggle. They were set
with thousand peradventures there
was not only lion in the wayy but all
manner OF perils, real and imaginary.
50 they waited, perforcc, 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, un-
folding petal after petal of exquisite
bloom. They busted themselves still
about the camp and hovel, giving a
thousand last touches, such as they
would never have thought of giving at
another time, gathering fire wood, and
setting the rabbit trap in vain. And
one day the axe fell from Ben's rcso-
lutte hand, and he just dragged himself
inside the camp, and stretched himself
before the fire. Uncle Simon had al
ready given out.
walking home could hardly have
been worse" Ben said, simply Per-
who nigh, have met him Gindiy" az tie
journeys end, in view Of the dangers
he had passed
Perhaps Bruce II come yet" re-
turned Uncle Simon.
Through a chink in the camp door
u
among the woods, and one by one the
stars shine out. each in its appointed
solitude, and the northern lights palpi-
tate rosily along the sky. The howl
| ing OF wolves echoed dismallv, while
now and then branch cracked in the
forest, and the wind trebled anon. the
pines. Inside the fire made comfort
able glow, under the influence of
which he was soon nodding Off to sleep,
when through the fog Of his semi-con-
sciousness he seemed to hear sort of
ringing In his ears, at first a mere
thread of sound, then louder and near
er, as if every tree in the forest was
church steeplc with all the bells a
swinging. Then he heard no more till
q smothered groan from Uncle Simon
caused him to raise himself upon his
elbow. The fire was still swapping
and blazing brightly, and the form and
profile of woman was Swallowed forth
upon the wall of the camp-a very
familiar face and figure it was, too, that
appeared to be bending over some
thing that was cooking on the fire.
Was it the excited action OF his brain
that photographed Louisa Bruce on
tue wall Ifso, 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 a will
o'-the-wisp. Were they still to haunt
! l. - J.. II 4
If you are awake, Ben, you had
better taste this cruel that l have
made for you," said Louisa, quietly.
"You must be nearly famished."
"How came yoa here?" was all the
answer Ben vouchsafed.
"You are mighty polite if you are
most starved. Who else could come,
and father not able to lift his head? |
brought Tim; he is putting up the
horses. It's no such pleasant journey
either, l can tell you, between the
wolves and the frost, not to mention
cold welcome. Come, amt you going
to take something? Here's broth and
brandy and gruel-take your choice"
"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, I swear will 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 with
out me-"
"Oh yes, suppose could, but 1
shouldn't want TO-"
"But you refused to marry me-"
"Certainly, because you didn't want
to marry q girl with no more heart
than an adder, Ben"
SGT wanf II marry nOu hos RI or M