Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-06-10
MEETING THE TEST.

1t was not a Rip Van Winkle sleep
in which Jack Loring was induIging.
lazily outstretched on the greensward. /.
in the heart of the Green Mountains.
The dog watching at his side was wide
eyed and active; the gun, on which one
hand rested, was unrusted and of the
newest make.
Through the trees there peeped a
bright, mischievous face, wonderfully
pretty. The expression was of sur
prise, for, even in the hasty glance, Lea
Danemore recognized that the sleeper
was no one belonging to this region.
but evidently wanderer to the heart of
the deep woods, in quest of idle amuse-
ment, afforded by his gu and his dog.
She would have retreated as she came
but for the dog. With a loud bark in
his m master's ear, as though he had Civ
en- human signal to awaken him. he
sprang t. his feet and ran toward
her. To arpear to him no hidden
enemy, she stepped in full sight that
he might not attack her. He stopped.
but stood before her with low, ominous
growl, just as the lazy blue eyes slowly
opened and took in the picture.
Jack Loring sprang to his feet.
"Quiet, Csto!" he called. Come here,
sir" The dog, obeying, turned and
crouched at his side.
81 am very sorry if my dog has
frightened you," he said; "but he is a
faithful watcher, and daresay scent ted
danger. There seemed a second thought,
a hidden meaning in these latter words,
for covert smile played around the
corners of his mouth.
"Indeed" she answered. The tone
was tinged with sarcasm, condescending
in its own superiority.
Certainly, if Jack Loring had ex-
peeled an answer it was not this. The
sudden blush for which he had looked,
the stammering reply, were wanting.
Jack decided, after one swift glance
at the trim figure and clearly cut face,
that though he had lost his way aud had
had little use for gun or ammunition
since the early dawn, when he had set
off from the camp, he had discovered
in the mountains better game than that
of which he had ventured to search.
Evidently this girl was not unused to
admiration in her mountain home, and
certainly she was pretty enough to COM
pei it anywhere.
It's hard lines" he was apt to say
can't marry rich one for her money
or a poor one without, since I've moth
il but my pay, which always leaves me
short now"
Do you know" he continued, "that
I believe have lost my way? How far
am l from Gordon's farm p
"Sixteen miles," she answered and
turned away.
"Sixteen miles y he cried after her
"and the sun sinking 1t is impossi.
BILE to walk that distance. Is there no
place nearer where can get shelter for
the night %
Perhaps Uncle Silas would give you
q bed"
"May accompany you there ?"
Certainly" she answered.
"Uncle Silas," said Lea, her voice
richer and sweeter, Jack noticed, than
when it addressed him, this gentle.
man has been overtaken by darkness.
Will you provide him with bed and
supper ?"
Certainly" the old man answered.
And, turning, extended hearty well
come, with an apology for all discom-
fort.
In after days, in after months, in after
years, Jark Loring often looked back
to this evening. He pictured the table
with Uncle Silas at its head, Aunt Han
nah (who gave him so kind welcome }
at its foot, and the bright young face
opposite him, of such rare, piquante
loveliness.
The supper was a simple one, but
never had he so enjoyed a meal. And
afterward he and Lea had talked until
the clock had struck ten, which for her,
she said, was late hour.
She asked him of his life, and he told
her more frankly than he had often
talked. He fancied she treated him
more kindly when she learned he was a
soldier.
Aud a bachelor, of course" he
added. "It's a good thing I'm not over
susceptible ; for ] couldn't marry girl
without money, you know, nor would l
wish to make money a consideration ;
so / live nay life as it is, and | find
have little to regret.
Dut suppose you Iell IN love Win
poor girl ?" she asked.
I'D fall out" he laughed.
"No, no / mean serious passion. F"
"We'd weep, and-part," he per-
sisted.
"Id like to see you tried" she re-
torted.
The next morning he found himself
looking forward to seeing her with n
pleasurable anticipation uncommon to
him, but which the realization fully
fulfilled.
Lea was more charming in her man.
ner. There was subtle fascination in
all she said and did, until, when Uncle
Silas painted the glories of the sport
within the radius of ten miles about the
farm, Jack suddenly discovered an i'm.
mense longing tn trv IL