The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-01-02
ing us, sprang to her feet, sand turned

don us | said, ''fOr alarming you, but
you have nothing to fear. We are lost in
this forest Can you guide US out.'
She stopped at this, glanced from me TO
Hal. and blushcd rosily over face and neck.
Lost" she said. 'Why, it is only half
mile to the road, and my fathers house is
not half that distance. Lost, indeedm
with gay little laugh OF incredulity; and
she shook her head. "Who ever heard Of
such thing as getting lost in my fathers
woodsln
''But such is the fact" said Hl. coming
eagerly forward, his eyes expressing his
admiration, sand if you can guide us to
q place where we can obtain refreshments,
YOU will do us a great service. We are
nearly famished"
MY father will be glad to receive YOU"
she replied, demurely, her eyes falling be-
fore his. II will show you the way. You
had better come now, for your friend there
looks sick"
She was addressing me, now, but look
ng directly at Hal. Hal, poor fellow,
was by this time so weak, that when we
started to go, he had to lean on me for
support.
Our fair conductor went tripping on be-
fore US, occasionally waiting 1or US 10
come up, and every now and then casting
anxious looks at Halls pale face. We
soon reached the farm house, which was
neat and commodious, situated on gen
tie slope, with grand old shade trees all
about it. No place could have given Us
a more hospitabla welcome.
Before night Hal was in high fever.
A physician was called, who looked grave,
and said the case was doubtful one;
though youth and good nursing might
bring the patient ronnd.
For a week Hal was delirious. l
watched by his bedside night and day.
Jennie, our little sleeping beauty as |
called her. came and went, administering
to the needs OF the sick room, in a thor
onghly, womanly way, that one would
hardly have looked for in one so young.
At last Halls youth brought him round.
To me it was great relief. | wrote to
his father that he had been sick, but was
better, and that we should probably soon
come home.
But Hal was in no hurry to return.
What his reasons could be, for wishing to
stay in that out-of-the-waY puzzled me
sorcly, for awhile. But one day it flashed
upon me, all at once, that Hal was III
danger Of falling in love with Jennie.
Ever since his recovery, he had been In
her society a good deal; and [ noticed
that she seemed shy and reserved when
ever ! met them together. | had seen
many other little things, too, that were
quite suggestive, when l came to think
them over. This" l said to myself,
s.must 90 no farther. Jennie is charming
enough in her way, but if Hal marries, it
must be with some one of his class. He
the heir Of one Of the first families of New
York, to wed mere forest nymph? I'M
possibie What would his father think
ofmeW
That very afternoon, I said to Hal, II
shall get off 10 New York tomorrow
morning Can you be ready?"
He started suddenly, and gave me a
penetrating look, as if to rcadmy thoughts.
Then he flushed scarlet, and said:
"Of course I will be ready"
That was all. But l felt relieved.
"Once get him away" reflected, land he
will soon forget all about it."
That night, after tea, Jennie went out
to pick some berries. Soon after l missed
Hal l guessed where he was, and 1 felt
vexed. 1t was nearly dark when they re-
turned, their hands full of bright maple
ped quietly away into the house, and Hal
came directly towards me. His face was
flushed, and he seemed agitated, and in
attempting to talk he made some strange
blunders.
The next morning we were off on the
early stage. We stopped a day at Old
Orchard, to rest and pack our trunks, and
then went directly home, where We were
gladly welcomed by our friends. AS we
alighted from the hack, at my hotel, Hal
took out his diary to pay the driver; and
as he held it up in the gas light, | caught
glimpse OF the page bearing the date OF
the day Of our departure from the farm
house; and on it were written two names,
with a scarlet maple leaf fastened below
them.
Soon after our return, business called
me to California, where | remained for a
year.
During this time l had heard nothing
from Hal The little incidents Of our tour
in Maine, meantime, had been forgotten.
But when / returned to New York, | call
ed on Hal at once.
"Delighted to see you back again" said
Halls father, in whose presence l was
ushered.
"And how is Hal?" I said
"Hal? have not seen him for an age
"IIave not seen him! Where is he?"
''He is in the city. l suppose you know
Hal is marricd!"
~ did not" said, still more surprised.
eyes, he married penniIcss girl, from
somewhere in the woods Of Maine. Threw
himself hopelessly away. | was so dis
pleased that | told him he must look out
for himself; and the boy was spirited
enough to do so. He and | have not met
for six months. He is doing business III
q small way for himself, and | understand,
successfully"
II am sorry to hear this" said. "Can
nothing be doncg"
"Well, perhaps" answered his father,
''we have both been headstrong and fool
ish. and both are tooproud to acknowledge
it, But | want Hal back again, wife and
all He is all | have, and life goes rather
hard, must confess, without him. | am
glad you have come home, Hardy. |
can't quite make up my mind to 90 to
Hal myself, and I want you to do it for
me. You used to have great influence
with him."
81 shall be happy TO serve you in this" )"
"When will you see him?"
Tonight. The sooner the better"
And so it was decided. The father was
to remain in the carriage while went
in.
Halls house was a small neat cottage in
/ the suburbs. 4 vigorous tug at the bell
soon brought out the proprietor. He
| looked at me moment as ii to identify
me, and then felt pair of strong arms
around my neck.
''Wlly, you dear old fellow" cried Hal.
'HWhere did you come from! I'm so glad
to see youl Where have you been all this
/ timeln
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