Milford chronicle., 1888-11-23
IN THE WOODS.
"Black spirits and white,
Blue spirits and gray
Mingle, mingle, mingle,
While ye mingle may ~

" AAAg . AAiLl455A AAiAJs
Meg repeated it over and over, like an
incarnation, as she leaned forward in her
low camp chair, over the glowing embers
drawn out ON the hearth.
As often as she leaned forward, she gave
little shake or stir to the long handled
skillet, which was doing duty as a witch's
caldron. a savory steam came up from
it as she did SO; and it greeted a hungry
man who stood in the open door of the
hut, behind her.
He had walked across from the lake
bank, his step deadened by the moss
which spread its thick carpet between the
stumps of the felled trees The light
birch bark canoe in which he had padded
himself across the water was slung, Indian
fashion, on his back, serving for umbrella
and water proof against the drizzle that
was falling. His brOnzed face and dark
eyes looked in keeping; startlingly so,
Meg thought, as she glanced over her
shoulder at him.
For at some movement of his the edge
of his canoe struck the tent with a scrap
ing sound, which made her look round
suddenly.
She drew her breath in a quick gasp,
half surprise, half fear:
She had not included any red spirits in
her incantation, and this newcomer looked
uncommonly like red Indian, as he
paused in the doorway of the hut.
She had an idea that it was better to
open conversation at once, by way OF
showing she was not at all afraid.
So, "How, how2" she said promptly,
having somewhere heard or read that that
monosyllable was an appropriate saluta-
tion.
The little word being a not uncommOl
New England interrogative, the new
cemer responded as promptly:
"By the canoe. lost my way, and tn,
CLEAN of your fire shining out upon the
lake drew me across to you. did not
know there was q lumber camp in the
neighborhood. May l come -tc ths FIRE.
an thoroughly damp and chilled. "
If he did not add "and hungry, too
when he stood on the hearth beside her
and the saucepan sent up its savory
fumes to greet him, his eyes said it fol
him.
And Meg answered, as if he had add
ed it:
Supper will be ready presently; my
father cannot be much longer"
She rose from her low seat and begaI
to set the table as she spoke.
The mans glance followed her furtively
in some surprise. She did not look like
rough lumberman's daughter, this slender
young thing, moving so deftly about he
homely task. Her dress was of cOars'
blue flannel, and her delicate hands weri
sunburnt a little, up to where she ha'
pushed the sleeves back from the wrists
. But she might have been q dainty prin
cess masquerading in peasant costume
and the young Englishman had taken of
LnA - ..,NA hl.,aA
He had time to take in his surround
ings while she was engaged. There wa!
tiny lean-to of a room behind this
through the half open doorway int,
which he could catch glimpse of white
draperies, and which he guessed to be thu
girls own chamber. In this outer on,
there was bunk filed with green spruc,
boughs built into the wall, and shell
above it, on which pile Of books stood
beside tobacco jar. A curiously carved
pipe lay in front Of this; and so narrow
was the whole space that the leapine
flames on the hearth seemed, in theh
iiickering to and fro, to make a dash al
It and to pluck at the beard of the gro
tesque face carved upon the bowl.
The young mans eyes followed them.
by Jovep he said, under his breath
then, as the girl turned: II haven't my
lplpt VIII ults 4 SEQ your ltlu6I hLlOhtH
Would you kindly allow me to borrow
his2 / assure you ] would swoke the pip'
of peace, although am not an Indian"
She smiled little, perceiving that h,
had observed her first mistake and her
self put tobacco box and pipe into his
hands. Il don't think papa would refus'
1t yOu-though he values it, l think
He
Her guest was looking it over closely
Then he filed it, and lighted it at the fire
suddenly lifting himself from tho heartl
and stretching out his hands to her, as n
,puffed away.
1.-THE pipe of peace, Miss Winston"
The girl started, too utterly taken b.
surprise to withdraw her hand.
you know me, them she cried.
Il know my pipe, he said calmly, stil
putting away
"Your-pipes"
''Rather, mine until I gave it to you
father at the Office. It was among sundr
other trides / brought back with me fror
abroad, and your father did me the homo
to accept it one day when we sat smoldn
in the Office in Montreal"
"That 1 am Geofrey Morris, junic
member Of the Montreal banking hous
where your father was cashier.
A flush Of pleasure frightened the girl
face.
"Oh, papa will be so delight
Then she STONED short. Would par