Little Falls transcript., 1886-04-09
THE FORESTER'S DAUGHTER.
BY ALGERNON.

BY ALGERNON.
Darkness was creeping over the for
est. A patch of blue sky showed pale
between the tall trunks of the. pines.
In the west a bar OF deal gold, low
down, marked the sunset. The out
skirts of the wool, where the daylight
fingered, seemed, with the wild flowers
undcr-foot and the great straight trees
rising on every side, like the entrance
to some mysterious fairy palace, where
mortal should penetrate with batcd
breath
Over the parchcd fields the evening
dews already lay thick and refreshing,
but where the brown pine needles form
cd soft carpet. odorous and spicy, the
earth still retained the warmth impart-
ed by the sun. now sunk to it's rest.
Birds ard insects alike were asleep, end
not even the fiuttcr OF wings broke the
MA featic silence of the woods.
A. youth came out from the heavy
shadows, Fastening his steps as he
reached the stronger light of the clear-
Ing. He bad a gun on his shoulder and
. game pouch sluug to his side.
''Where are you coming from so
lste?' said abruptly a musical voice,
that seemed to rise out of the very
ground.
He stopped with q thrill and looked
dcwn.
Lying prone upon the grass, with
her chin in the palm of her hand, was
a young girl, who glanced up half
laughing. The outlines OF her slim
slight body, in a dark woolen gown,
were scarcely distinguishable on tho
dark ground. She continued 10 laugh
at his surprise, and repeated
''Where were you coming fzom?"
II have been hunting, And YOU
who are you?''
The girl rose to a sitting position,
and, her hand still resting Oh the grass,
said:
'"Sylvia.'
Sylvia! Are You the dryau of the
forest? Is your mother a 'nymph!
And do your feet grow, in roots, from
the ground?" And he laughed.
The girl stood up. Her shoul6c,
'touched his.
"Yes, I am Sylvia. the iorestcr's
daughter. And l live in there,'' point
ing toward the shadowy depths OF the
sleeping forest. And you--mho are
you?''
"Myna1he is Royal. and nay fathe,
Lives at the manor-house.
'''Ah, you are the son of the anaster
.then?"
The lord of the manor was still anG
always the master in this secluded
corner Of the earth.
land what were you doing here?'
said Royal, and he looked at the cir
fxedly by the last rays of the dying
day.
She did not evaae his glance. He,
shadowys eyes, Of changing color, re
turned his gaze without dropping. Sh.
smiled. showing her white teeth, ant
pushed away the heavy dark hairyfron
her low forehead.
A'Iwas waiting for you,'' she sale
siInply; Il knew that you often pas
this way at evening, and l wanteh *
startle YOU
He laughed.
Men should not he 50 easily startled
That is what my father says--that .
man should have no fear nor she'd M
tear" - -.-1>'i7A a'' '''..s>e' 's' .1..
-.But I have seen my father shes
tears said the girl gravely. VA
"When?"
when they carried away my deaf
mother" .N@. $&,* - ~ 4sa,@
There was no reply sto this Roya
also had lost his mother, but he ha,
not seen his father weep, for all that.
you are older than T., said Sylvi,
after minute; s'you must know grea
deal. Can You ,read?"
II should hope so,'' laughed Royal
II can't I know nothing at ALL
said Sylvia. signing. aMy father i
away all day. ! am always alone. z h #
always alonep That is hard 70
your
; "Oh no! there are SO manv wonder
ful things in our forest the flower
and the birds. But you only care fo
the birds that you my kill them. =
Z hOJal e'aASIkssetI tA3S sSlAunPGy kJttcH SlS
.nificantly. =$ ..s f H1 "a
14Akt.t.Not II always =
Sylvia laughed.
m gl:a Fon missed thena." !" sh'
/ s&id. 81 a5l
-.Why did you wait for me p Eepliee
Royal. 9ss
4 She, hesitating. seemed to be pslrs,l
{ Ing some Thought that eyaded her.
speak to no ore, ever, she fiEall,
aid my father comes in late ant
goes out early. Seaaetimes he is Oh
d Wstch al night long. TIE poachef.
D come alter your game. you know; Eolit
must protect it. Well, i wanted e
I speak to someone. Z
ssS And Ahy to me more than % anoth.
I I ere "a said he, moved q little.
Il don't know. You ase nearly d
the same age as 4 am nm; you are hand.
4 some, and syoas look kind. + thought
syou would not langh at me.
She had begun 10 walk on. Royal
followed her and they took the road to