The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-03-07
LEAFS Experiment.

1t was not Rip Van Wrinkle sleep in
which Jack I.oring was indulging, lazily
loutstretched on the green sward In the
heart Of the Catskills; or If it were, the
charm with him had worked more kind
| ~ than the old legend, for there were no
silver threads among the brown in the
cl0se-cropped head of hair, or the silken
mOustache; n0signsO of age in the lines of
the handsome lace in its perfect, statu-
esque Tepose; no shrinking in the SPLEEN
did stature, which required so much
space for it, grassy bed.
The hound, too, watching at his side,
was wide eyed and active; the gun. on
which one hand rested, unrusted and of
the newest make.
1t was at this juncture that another
figure appeared upon the scene. Through
the trees there peeped a bright mischiev-
GUS face, wonderfully pretty as it lighted
up with an inner light, such as the sun
sheds, scattering the darkness from the
earth.
4 1t was an arch, lovely face, changing
with each moment, as its expression
changed. Just now the expression was
| OF incredulous surprise, for, even in this
nasty glance, Lea Danemore recognized
that the unconscious sleeper was no one
belonging to this region, but evidently a
wanderer from the city to the heart Of
the deep woods, in quest of idle amuse-
mcnt afforded by his gun and his dog.
She would have retreated as she came,
but for the latter. Light as had been
her step, his quick ear had caught it.
| With loud bark in his masters ear.
as though he had given human signal
TO awaken him, hesprang to his feet and
toward her.
She must appear to him no hidden
enemy and instantly she stepped in full
sight, that he might not attack her.
The movement had the desired effect
He stopped, but stood before her with a
low, ominous growl, just as the lazy blue
eyes slowly opened and took in the pici
ture.
| A sudden flash drove the idle caaui
from them. Captain Loring sprang to
his feet.
sirP
The dog, obcying, turned and crouclled
at his side The young officer courteous
ly bowed.
q am very sorry if my dog has fright
ened YOU" he said; "but he is faith
full watcher, and dare say scented dan
ger"
There seemed second thought, hid
den meaning, in these latter words, for
covert smile played about the corners Of
his mouth.
Indeed" she answered.
Simply this and nothing more. It was
one word, but it held volume. The
tone was tinged with sarcasm, infected
! with scorn, condescendmg in its own stl-
periority. Certainly, if Jack Loring had
expected an answer, it was not this.
No girl in New York drawing-room
could have been more cool, more admir-
ably self-possessed. The sudden blush.
for which he had looked, the stammer-
ing, reply, were wanting.
lie scrutinized her more closely. She
would bear scrutiny. She WORD dress
OF blue calico, he decided but what mat
tered the material which revealed the OK
quisite figure which it SO closely and per
fectly fitted? The foot peeping from
beneath u, spite of its mountain shoe,
was small and beautifully shaped; her
hand equally 80 in its neat glove.
Jack decided, mentally, that though
he had lost his way, and 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 noun
tains better game than that of which he
had venturod in search.
Evidently this girl was not unused to
admiration in her mountain home. Ger
tainly she was pretty enough to compel
it anywhere And Jack had been on the
plains for three long years, where pretty
women were not always to be foupd
Tie had only recently been ordered to a
home-station.
But, by Joye,' he was apt to saw
"itsmo dangerous than the Indians
flre Never saw so many pretty girls in
my life; but can't marry d rich one
Tor her money, or poor one without.
since I've nothing but my pay, and /
don't think my heart Ii equal to the sac
ritice Of making do the work OF two.
which always leaves me short now for
one"
1t was, perhaps, for this reason that
ne wasso ready to join party of friends
setting out ona camping-tour, ignoring
the regrets this course occasioned. and
steeling his conscience TO forget the diff
forent one he had led many to antici-
pate.
In fact at this juncture it is quite
necessary to state that Captain Jack
LoFing, Of the Thirteenth Regulars. was
an inyeteratc firt, and was supposed 70
have done more damage, from his cadet
days to the present time, than any officer
IN the army, And here little country
maiden had nonplusscd him.
"Do you know" he continued, "that / |
believe have lost my way? How far
am from Gordon's Gulch?p
sixteen miles," she answered, and
turned away.
Sixteen milesg' he cried, after her.
"and the sun sinking! 1t is impossible |
to walk that distance. Is there no place
nearer where | can get shelter for the |
nightG'
.Pcrhaps Uncle silas will give YOU
bed
. "You mean the uncle with whom YOU |
liyeGy M