The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-12-12

them at her feet.
She did not blush, she did not scorn
full, cast them into the water, nor ask
her brother to throw them back to me
she simply nodded her thanks with ev-
ident delight, and, with the utmost
grace, she fastened the lovely lotus
flowers in her belt.
Does this strike any one as bit Of
Irritation What man could keep a
flower with lady near on whom he
might bestow it? The lilies sought
their rightful owner, and | simply help
ed them on their rightful way, while
Tom looked at the three he had gath
cred as ii unwilling to initiate me, and
equally unwilling to keep them. at
was a shame to pick them he said,
and laid them back upon the water.
The steamer now shst ahead, and
our guide told us that its passengers
would "carry" across to Eagle lake,
where another steamer would receive
them, while our carry was shorter
cne further up.
Tom and | both received the news
unwilingly, for we could not bear to
have this bright vision vanish so soon.
should we never again see Maud We
looked at each other, but said nothing.
When at length we shot out into
Eagle lake, after the last of our carries
there was no sign of any steamer and,
as we rowed on, the sun set and the
moon rose, but we were still alone.
On Blue Mountain lake we heard the
steamers whistle once more, and in the
distance saw its column of smoke and
sparks as it puffed off to another part
of the shore. We felt like grumbling
at our choice of hotels, but it was now
too late to change; so. hungry, tired
and disappointed, we climbed the steep
hillside.
Our appettes did not fail us, how
ever, chow could they in that air p,
aud after supper we walked up and
do vn the broad piazza, looking upon
the moon-lighted lake and mountains
with tinge of sadness as we thought
our outing was so nearly over, and we
mused upon the maiden whose beauty
had charmed us.
| Next morning we drove mile in
the early twilight in order to take the
stage. We found only one unengagea
outside seat, and Tom insisted on my
taking that. Was he really generous
or did he have an intuition' | asked
myself, as suddenly y our acquaintances
of yesterday came down the steps and
entered the stage Maud wore her
lilies and Nodded pleasantly as our
eyes met; but she took seat directly
opposite Tom.
IL seemed to me a very unin, resting
road. saw little but the black ned
trees and the Durnt wilderness. | was
sadly bored by a talkati,e sea,-mqte,
but there was no chance of relief until
we reached Cedar river, whore the
stage was exchango} for Concord
coach.
found that Tom had made great
advances III the acqualntalrce of the
little party to which Maud belonged,
and which | now joined. We all
climbed on top of the coach, and
though the sun was hotter than ever,
and the dead trees quite as ghastly,
no longer objected to riding outside.
Maud's father proved II good-natur.
ed man. whose hay-fcver had driven
him to the woods; and on the shore of
Raquette lake, he, with Maud and
Jack, had been camping in bark
shar.y, and without a guide.
They told US of their experiences in
a frank, jolly way, that made camping
seom the most desirable kind of life
imaginable Maud looked on us with
evident pity when she found that we
had been less than three weeks in the
woods, and our camping experiences
mad been only with a glide. But we
retaliated with a glowing account o.
our boat trip, which fascinated her
and she Immediately implored hel
father to take her through the lake.
next summer. She had learned to fish
row and swim, though Jack laughed al
the idea Of her swimming where the
water wasn't over her had She go
enthusiastic over her rowing, however
aud said she could cook fish as well az
catch them, and make splendid pan
cakes and we doubted none of her &C
complishment,
How swiftly our six horses spec
over the rough road Long befor
we wished it we ratified into Nortl
Creek, where the railway station mad,
us feel that our happy mountain lif
was at au end.
We found that our paths would di
verge at Saratoga, so we made tn
most of the few hours left. The ca
: seemed close after outdoor life, and W
wondered if civilization were wort
while, after all.
As we rumbled alorg, talking merr
: ly in spite of the noise, a saucy gust G
!, wind caught Maud's hat and whirled
! out of the window.
"What shall do ?" she appealed t
us: for Jack was laughing, and he
e father evidently puzzled,
= That's the only hat | had with M
;, aud can't go bareheaded,'
u 81 might lend you this said Jacl
e Offering his straw, which was yer
= much the worse tor its camping e.
pericnceS.
q II can do better than that said
a Jacks suggestion having reminded m
d of something; and ! soon pulled out
6 skull-cap of the same general color {
T, her dress. "Wouldn't this doY
Vt have some pretty wings if you want
y trim it."
u She chose gray one out of IN
IL store. with which her deft fingers SOC
T. transformed the cap and when it WI
&c on her head she looked prettier tha
lie ever We four admiring masculine
G. congratulated her on her success, and
IS was in clover. Tom was distance
H. again, for he, too, had cap, which
Is would have been only too happy to s
CT on that graceful head, if he had on
y thought of it, But there was lit
~ tim for regrets, Already we we
'e neaing Saratoga, and must part wi
our friends.
le Gpod-byes are seldom pleasant, Pc
Q, hspS it is well that.they ere often hC
ID ried, A few words, a touch of b
hanl and oha una ,.pr,A