Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-07-18
CHAPTER w.

A more beautiful spot for a siesta
he could not have chosen. At his feat
stretched the lake, cleaning like sill
yer in the sun, and set in frame OF
green leaves and forest flowers; above
his head, in his very ears, the
thrushes and linnets sang in concert,
all the air was full of the perfumes of
a summer morning, rendered sweeter
by the storm of the preceding night,
which had called forth the scent of
the ferns and the honeysuckle.
As he lay, and dreamt with that
happy-go-lucky carelessnes of time
and the daily round of duties which is
one Of the privileges of youth, there
rose upon the air a song other than
that of the birds.
1t was a girls voice, chanting softly,
and evidently with perfect uncon
seriousness; family at first. ii broke
upon the air, then more distinctly, and
presently, from amongst the bushes
that stood breast high round the sleep
ing Savage, issued Una.
The night had had dreams for her,
dreams in which the handsome face.
with its bold, daring eyes, and quick,
sensitive mouth, had lowered before
her closed eyes and haunted her, and
now here he lay at her feet.
How tired he must be to sleep there,
and how hungry! for, though she had
not seen the note-nor the ring-she
knew that he had gone without break,
fast.
Poor fellow" she murmured-''his
face is quite pale-and-ah-!" she
broke of with a sudden gasp, ana
bent forward; a wasp, which had been
buzzing around his head for some
time, swept his cheek.
Too fearful of waking him to sweep
the insect aside, she knelt and watch
ed with clasped hands and shrinking
heart; so intent in her dread that he
wasp should alight on his cheek and
sting him as almost to have forgotten
her fear that he shc'ld awake.
At last the dreaded climax occurred !;
the wasp settled on mis- lips; with a
low, smothered cry, she stretched out
her hand, and, with a quick move
ment, swept the wasp off. But, lightly
as her fingers had touched his lips, il
was sufficient to wake him, and, with
little start, he opened his eyes, and
received into them. and through them
10 his heart the girls rapt gaze.
For a minute neither moved; he lest
he should break the dream; she, be.
cause, bird-like, she was fascinated;
then, the minute passed, she rose, and
drew back, and glided into the brake.
The Savage with a wild throb of the
heart, saw that his dream had grown
into life, raised himself on his elbow
and looked after her, and, as he did
so, his eye caught a small basket
which she had SET down beside him.
Stay" he called, and in so gentle a
voice that his friends who had
christened him the Savage would have
instantly changed it to the Dove.
stay, Pleas stay. Your basket
why did you run from me?" asked
the Savage, in a low voice. Did you
think that I should hurt your"
Hurt me? No. why should your?
and her eyes met his with innocent
surprise.
why should I, indeed! should
have been very sorry if you had gone
because wanted to thank you for
your kindness last night"
you have not to thank me-" she
said, slowly.
Yes he assented, quietly. but
for you-" then he stopped, remem
boring that it was scarcely correct tc
complain of her fathers inhospitality
81 behaved very badly. always do,
he added-for the first time in his life
with regret.
do you?" she said, doubtfully
You were wet and tired last hight
and-and you must not think i'll OF
my father; he"
Don't say another word. was
treated better than l deserved"
why did you go without breakfas'
rhis morning?" she said, suddenly.
IT brought it with me-" he replied
you forgot the loaf" and he smiled
DRY bread" she said, piVingly. "
am sorry. If l had but known.
would have brought you some milk"
"Oh. | have done very We'll he said
his curt way softened and toned down
And now you are going to Ark
dale?" she said, gently.
That is, after l have gone 20 res
/ for a little while longer; I am in nj
hurry: won't you sit down, Una
I Keep me company
To her there seemed noth'n!
strange in the speech; gravely an'
naturally she sat down at the foot O
an oak.
You thing the forest is lonely?" sh'
said.