Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1902-12-03


footsteps were noiseless on the carpet
of needles
little way in she stopped startled
for she had come upon habitation,
shelter made of boughs against a rock,
a smouldering fire, and standing be-
fore it ALL looking more startled than
herself, a man, young, tall, fair, ath-
letic.
They regarded each other in silence,
but the girl felt no fear, for she knew
that she had met her hero.
The man spoke first, Are you a
wood nymph or from whence come
your" She told her story, sure of
sympathy. TOO bad, indeed" he said
kindly, but will you not accept my
rude hospitality? Please come be
Sylvia for my woodland bower"
And Helen, under the spell of tender
blue eyes, cast away prudence, and let
herself be made comfortable in the
leafy shelter, while her host busted
himself with replenishing the fire.
She had a delicious sense that she
was having really romantic exper-
fence.
at is very beautiful here" she
said Are you camping or fishing"
as she caught glimpse of slSiff
drawn up on the shore and almost
Ins2pcealed by boughs.
Both" he answered uneasily, but
you must not ask me about myself.
am Lohengrin. Yonder is my swan
boat, and unless you believe in me,
shall go away in the boat and leave
you alone in the storm, and not pre-
pare for you a luncheon of fish and
berries, as plan to do"
The fire blazed cozily, and the man
built out the leafy roof, that she might
be quite dry.
1.-THE queen must be safe and hap
py," he said. Helen had never been
called a queen before, but she liked
| it.
Disappearing for a few minutes he
came back with hsn aud berries on
large leaves, and a can of water. He
cooked the fish deftly over the blaze,
and Helen produced from her lunch
box, sandwiches, olives and cake, at
which he exclaimed with unfeigned
delight. Such a merry meal it was,
and before Helen knew it she was
telling all about herself. 1t is so easy
at nineteen, to talk of ones self when
melancholy, sympathetic blue eyes are
lavishing tender chances upon one.
IF l come to Sheboygan. may
come to see you?" he asked. Oh
that charming air of Difference, II
was just as she always knew the hero
would be.
81 believe the rain is stopping" she
said at last. 81 wish it might rain al
ways" he murmured lying lazily al
her feet. This brought the warn
color into her face, and looking up
she saw that the sun was beginning to
drop.
Really l must go; the storm is
quite over" she said, rising. He rose
too, and looked at her with grave
sadness, saying, at will be lonely
after you go, but if you will allow
me can take you almost to the vii
lage in my canoe; you are no
afraid?"
NO." hesitatingly. But sne went
sitting quietly in the boat, while hi
stood in the stern and bent to thu
oar
Both felt the beauty Of the scene
and with that greatest proof of per
feet sympathy. were silent.
The boat grated sharply on thu
sand. He sprang out, and helping her
took her hand holding it for mo
ment to his lips.
81 want to thank you, little girl,
he said, "for trusting me as you hav'
to-day. 1t is good for a man to b.
trusted. Think of me kindly some
times but speak to no one of me, AM
as a pledge | ask for one of these.
He touched the roses in her belt.
With trembling fingers she CAV
him one. Then, smiling sadly, h
pointed down the road to the station
Goodbye" he said, "and God kee
you"
Helen saw little OF the road for he