The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-12-07
The Wood = NylIl2Db.
ny BELLE MONTICELLO

by BELLE MONTICELLO
81 say Philip exclaimed Henry
Thornton, impatenJly, 'how much
longer are you going TO be at that
skelch2 Here Two been angling in this
muddy pool for two mortal hours, and
not SO much as one bite has been the
reward of my labor. ] am getting aw.
full hungry, and we neglected bringing
or usual lunch this morning. Come,
let us return to the hotel, and you can
finish it some other time;" as, gathering
up his fishing tackle, he stroled over to
his companion, who, seated on a grassy
knoll, was busily engaged with his pen
Gil.
As Harry approached he paused in
his work long enough to reply, "only a
few more touches to add, and [ will be
ready. There; It is DONE" he added
moment later; what do you think of
it?"
"Ithink It is good-very e cd in.
deed. II cnly needs one thing to rem
der it complete" replied Harry.
"Why, / thought 1t was already com.
plete," examining it closely, for he had
a true, artistic eye. "What is want.
ing?"
"a wood-ny mph, laughingly re.
spolded Harry; but then, suppose
they don't exit now a-days, although
this gleD," glancing around, seems
fitting place for their abode"
At that moment childish voice was
heard ''Nerol Nerol Come hereI" and
through an opening near they saw
70 4 Oh s,s,
followed instantly by the owner of the
voice, little, rustic maiden, of appar
ontly 10 years. Finding herself in the
presence of strangers, she stood, hest
tating whether to advance or retreat,
when the impulsye Harry startled her
by exclaiming "a veritabe wood
nymph, as l livel Won't you come
here, sis, and let this chap make q
sketch of you; my word for it, you
would make bonnie little gypsy queen ;
come, it won't take minute" he add
ed, advancing towards her.
"By JOve! she Is a regular spit. fre,
Phil; just look at herl" bursting into
an uncomfortable iit of laughter.
The little elf was gazing at Harry,
her black eyes flashing saucily, and
now, dashing her little blue sun. bonnet
to the ground, showing wealth OF
black hair, black as a ravens wing,
falling in glossy waves below her
waist.
In one hand she held little basket
filled with berries, the other was
doubled up into fist, which she was
shaking vigorously at him. Her little
berry. stained face was the picture of
childish rage, and she stamped her tiny
foot. Don't you come near me-" she
cried, wrathfully.
Don't be frightened" said Philip,
kindly; che is only in fun won't you
come and look aG this picture?''
Enlightened" echoed the nymph
looking for the first time toward Philip;
edo you think 1 am afraid of him?"
drawing herself up to her full height,
and clenching the tiny fist harder; then
turning again to Harry, she asked, de.
family, "Who are you, sir, and what
do you want?" "This little bonnet"
replied Harry, advancing still closer,
and picking it up from the ground
where 1t had fallen, 81 say you are a
regular Tarter, aren't yon?,' "And
what II am, old impudence!'' she re.
torted, quickly, snatching the bonnet
from his hand, and preparing to dart
away.
"Wait, Harry" said Philip; '1et me
speak to her, you only vex her." then,
turning to her, "won't you look al
this?" holding the picture SO SHE
could see it.
Glancing searchingly at him, and
seeming pleased with his gentle manner
the angry frown slowly left her brow
Eer clenched hand relaxed, and, after
a moments hesitation, she was beside
him, gazing with childish delight ant
admiration.
"Whyl" she exclaimed, ''that is ius
like this spot, exactly; see that ole
messy log, and those trees and stones
oh, it is just lovely Did you make
it?" she added curiOusly. "Yes, and
if you would only sit down on that log
for short time, l would put you ia
too; would that please you?"
"Oh, wouldn't it? Would you make
one for me too? If you only would Pt
keep itas long rs lived"
"And think of me, l suppose, wheI
you looked at it," he added smil
"Indeed would; I'll never forge
you, never" vehemently. 81 neve
saw any one half so nice as you are
Shall l ever see you again?"
81 hope so, little one; I'm going bacl
to the city soon, but trust l shall hay,
the pleasure of seeing you many time
before l CO."
During this conversation Harry hat
started home, expecting his companion
would soon follow but not until lat
in the afternoon did he make his ap
pearance.
A telegram was awaiting him, recall
ing him Immediately to the city, and h
was obliged to leave on the night trail
without again seeing his little rusli
friend.
Not until he reached home did h.
rccOllect thathe had not ascer tanned he
name. However, it will not be dill
cult to find her, for | could recognize
her amoug a thousand" he sail to him
self
Three months elapsed and he wa
again at Wildwood, that being the nam
of the little village.
Immediately on his arrival he souph
the place of their first meeting. 1t wa
late autumn now, and the leaves, whicl
then, bright and green, had crowned
forest monaIchs. were now lyins
sere and yellow at his feet.
IL G seated himself on the cid log
from which the moss had now crumbleC
and waiting as if expecting her to an
pear, but she came not.
Returning to the village he made in
quiries. "Was it the widow Wilde
Rlece," they asked; "she had gon
with her aunt some two months or NOR
no one BRew where; to the city.
they thought. Was she relatiye?'
"NO." '"rhen why was he so anxious t
find .Ler?" and he returned to the CITY I
dream over the picture, which wa
tenfold dearer to him now that he had 8
hopelessly lost the original.