The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1880-11-26
THE FORESTER'S DAUGHTER.

On the trunk of fallen tree, in th
depths of atirwood, not many miles fron
the Castle of the Starnberg, man sa,
one summer twilight, with flute to hi
lips. Over the peaks of the Bavarial
Alps storm was gathering. The con
scious fore groaned in all its multitudi
nous branchei. Far off, one could hea
the brawl of torrents, the whistle o
goatherds, the echo of convent-bells.
AS for the man, he was young, anC
handsome as an archangel. His hat was
tossed upon the turf beside him-his rich
| hair hung in confusion about his pale
dreamy face. Eyes, marvellous in theil
pensive splendor, shone from under his
knitted brows. Needless alike of falling
night and coming tempest, he was hug
gng the f1ute-an exquisite ins rument
of silver and ebony-to his lips with the
rapt air of devotee.
A wayward trill the youth had at his
hnger-ends-a brilliant bubble of sweet
sound-bent upon bursting into airy, tam
talizng failures. Nevertheless he prac-
ticed patiently, coaxing the sweet, swarm
ing notes in an absorbed, impassoned
way, till, of a sudden a hand raised the
boughs behind him-held them open for
a face to look through.
In twinkling, the trill was snatched
from the lips Of the player. from the mel
the air by clear, audacious voice--a
girls voice, without f1aw-whirled gid
Oily up into the gathering dark, and
dropped again, sudden and short, adown
its silence.
The youth leaped to his feet. Standing
beside him, under the black frs, he saw
a figure in ID white bodice and short blue
kirte, the silver buckles on her shoes,
and silver chain, with the massive
clasps the Bavarian peasant loves, shining
on her milky throat and bosom. Her
brown, fawn-like eyes were fixed with a
startled, timid look on his face. Far be-
low the belt of her trim bodice streamed
the broad plaits of her blonde hair.
"By my faith, that was well done y
cried the fute-player, half extending his
hand to seize and hold her before she
could escape him "who learned you
that trill, my pretty maiden ?"
his reassuring gesture, restrained her.
"The birds on the mountains, she an
swered with little laugh.
"Heayens you have voice like an
angel !" he burst out. "Who are you, and
what are YOU doing in this lonely forest
at this hour?"
She flung him quick, coquettish
glance through the sleek lashes that
swept over her dark, deer-like eyes.
II am Marie,' she answered, making a
little courtesy-"the daughter of Max,
the forester. came to the fir-wood to
find my fathers kids. Hark !"
A peal of thunder broke suddenly out
of the dark above them. 1t crashed with
a deafening roar through the great soi-
tude. Immediately rush of rain fol-
lowed, shifting full upon the tive.
"As live" cried the youth, in some
CONSERVATION, The storm is upon us, and
/ have lost my way in this wilderness !!
Tell me, pretty Marie, cen / find shell
ter near?"
"Follow me" she answered, and dashed
into narrow goat-track leading off and
away under the black branches.
Waiting for nothing more he strobe af-
ter. The rain poured upon them, as if
all the windows of heaven were opened.
Red streaks of lightning flashed through
the gloom. Breathlessly they fastened
on till they came to torrent leaping
down steep, its foam and fury spanned
by single fallen fir, which stretched
across il from bank to bank.
Give me your hand" said Marie. She
looked back at her companion through
her streaming blonde hair with face
which seemed to him like some lumin-
Gus star. Il will lead you. A false step
on this trunk might be your death"
Eagerly he obeyed. Her dimpled palm
closed upon his. She lea ed upon the
dangerous bridge, drawing him swiftly
after. Directly they stood in the pour
ing rain on the opposite side.
"Come I" cried Marie, "yonder is my
fathers coitager' And running breath
lessly across a green opening, where the
KIDS she had driven from the wood stool
huddled together, she lifted the foresters
latch.
Enter" she sa' /, and her companion
followed her in silence across the thresh-
old
The fir-rafters of the room were black
with smoke. On the open hearth below
a CHEEKY fire burned. Against the wall
stood the spinning-wheel and bench,
covered with tangled wool. The small
windows shook with the violence OF the
tempest outside.
Marie's companion advanced TO the
hearth, chilled, soaked and breathless.
IS r." said she, sit down and welcome.
] see that YOU are some burgher's son.
| What is your manner
He looked confused.
"Csl me Ludwig" he answered. Il
am not burgher's son, pretty Marie, but
a poor musician from Starnberg, separat-
ed from some feiends who were wander
ing with me in the forest, With your
permission / will rest here till the storm
I is over. and then set forth to meet hem
An old woman, whom the foresier's
| daughter called Gretchen, with gOitrt
on her neck, and a parti-colored shaw
/ crossed on her breast entered, and begKn
I to prepare the evening meal. This cUn-
sisted Of black bread goats milk. little
bacon, and kaacklCfrSt-a hard, smoked
/ sausage.
While the old woman was moving
about, Marie stood upon the hearth iu
the ruddy light Of the fire, wringing the
wet from her luxuriant blonde hair.
Hear the rain pour" shs said. Ny