Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-26
Talfs and Sketehss.
From Appleton's Monthly Journal.
A FOREST RETREAT.
BY CHRISTIAN REID.

ini' 10 'he place Wnere we stop, hester
i hope you don't think 1t very rough -
Mr. Clyde spoke little anxiously as he
descended from the front of the stage
coach, and opened the door before any
one else could do so. A pale, pretty girl
gave him her hand, and sprang lightly to
the ground. Then she answered his re-
mark:
Rough. papa3 No-not half so rough
AS | expected. You know you said "a
mere hunting-lodge,' and this seems a very
comfortable place"
''ls there any reason why a hunting
lodge should not be comfortable P" her
father asked, with a smile. Here comes
our host.-Well. Mr.. Young, you see am
back again. and have brought my daugh-
ter with me-"
Very glad to see you back, Mr.. Clyde"
answered MIR. Young, with cordial grasp
of the hand. land happy to make Miss
Clyde's acquaintance. Walk in-I1l be
with you in few minutes"
The father and daughter-one carrying
a gun, the other satchel-went in accord
ingy. and paused on the piazza to wait
the discriminating of the other passengers.
As they did so. the girl remarked: ..Our
host made very natural mistake. Don't
correct him. papa. like to be called by
your NAME"
"And like you to be called by it," an
swered Mr.. Clyde. Then he walked to
the end of the piazza and said, What q
view, Hester! Isn't this reviving after
ten months spent among bricks and
stoneP"
Il feel as if l had reached paradise"
said Hester, following him, and putting
her hand on his arm. "Oh, what heav-
enly landscape! Papa. never did a
more lucky thing in my life than to have
that attack of fever"
Mr.. Clyde laughed-his frank, good
humored face lightning up with amuse-
ment.
Il am glad you think so," he said.
Il know so," said Hester. But for
that, mamma would never have let me
off duty to come with you, while, as it is,
how charming to think that we have a
whole month OF freedom before us p'
You must get back your roses by the
time it ends, or mamma will think that
after all she made a mistake"
81 shall get them back soon enough"
answered the girl, cheerfully.
While she stood looking at the magical
minglng of blue hills and fair, fertile val
leys in the great width of sweeping land
scape before her, the curtain of window
near at hand was drawn slightly aside,
and face glanced out.
A mans face, as was to be easily ascer-
tanned. If Mr.. Clyde or his daughter had
looked around, they would have seen one
eye, an aquiline nose, and half of brown
mustache. They did not look around,
however. so the eye-no doubt aided
by another partly hidden-had an excel
lent opportunity to admire Hester Clyde's
delicate profile and graceful figure, be-
tore Mr. Young approached and it was
necessary to drop the curtain.
He was followed by servant, who con-
Quoted Miss Clyde to her room, and told
her that supper would be ready in an hour.
''What pleasant place ~ thought Hester
looking round after the door was closed.
The room was small, the floor bare, the
furniture of the plainest possible descrip-
tion, but everything was spotlessly clean.
and the view from the window magnifi-
cent. Free for a month"; ~ she said
again. Then she lay down on the bed and
tell asleep like child, with the soft even
ing breeze blowing lightly over her.
In consequence of this siestd, Mr. and
Miss Clyde were the last to enter the sup
per-room an hour later. The rest of the
company were all assembled, and cheer
iul catter of knives and forks and voices
was in progress. A gentleman with an
aQuiline nose and brown moustache, who
was seated near one end OF the table,
glanced up with interest when they ap-
peared, but bestowed his attention upon
his plate when Mr.. Young conducted them
to seats exactly opposite his own. The
genial host then took his place at the end
Of the table and opened conversation:
II hope we shall be able to give you
some good hunting, Mr.. Clyde. We have
had uncommon luck ever since the season
began"
Il should Judge so," said Mr. Clyde.
"The venison is delicious
I'VE are indebted to Mr. Ferguson for
that" said Mr.. Young, nodding toward
him of the nose and mustache.
This was enough OF an introduction for
Mr.. Clyde. who, however ceremonious he
might be at home, was the prince of good
fellows. and easy of approach as school
boy, when out on holiday like the pres
ent.
LET me congratulate you, Mr.. Fergu-
son." he said, looking across the table.
Are you very much Of hunters
LAS far as liking the sport goes, may
answer yes" replied the gentleman adj
dressed, in the voice and with the manner
OF cultivated person. with regard TO
skill, | must be more modest"
''Oh, there's no need for modesty," said
Mr.. Young, with a laugh. "He's crack
shot, Mr.. Clyde. assure you. I've been
telling him about some of your featS, and
| hope to see trial of skill between you"
agreed on my part" said Mr.. Clyde.
heartily. (Which do you find the best
deer-drive, nowP"
In the discussion which ensued Mr.. Fer
guson bore part, while Hester, glancing
down the table. decided that all the people
present (not more than twenty, were
commonplace and uninteresting. $50
much the BETTER" she thought; IL shall
not be tempted to form any friendships,
but shall have my time entirely to myself"
Ferguson, meanwhile. regarding her
clear-cut profile, thought to himself
why is it that ! have vague remem-
brance of having seen that face before