The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1911-07-06
Vol. XXIV.-No.. so.
Lillian s Father
Young Steady.

Wearily / leaned back against the
trunk of fallen tree. The little
strength had SO carefully harbored |
during the long day, was about ex-
hausted. My eye-lids were heavy,
my brain benumbed and my tongue
dry and parched. For once in my
life knew what it meant to be lost
lost in vast and trackless forest,
perhaps many miles from human
habitation, and the life-giving ne
cessities which every fiber in my
tired body demanded. How long
I stood thus / do not know. had
ceased to reckon time and stood
gazing into space, thinking of moth
ing in particular. Before me was
spread, in lavish and enchanting
grandeur. the treasures of Nature,
in all their transcendent beauty.
On either side, and all about me,
were to be seen flowers of every
tint and hue, radiant in the bright
ness of summers sun, that here
and there stole slyly through the
tree tops, which were laden with
foliage and made glad by the song
of birds and the saucy chirp of an
occasional squirrel as it leaped from
branch to branch. Surely Nature
had been over-generous in it's effort
to gladden. and make beautiful this
silent and sequestered nook. Wear
lily sank to the ground and reluc-
tantly my eyes closed to the beauty
around me.
How long 1 slept l do not know.
The sun was yet bright and the song
of the bros still Tn my ears when |
cpened my eyes ana gazed about me.
It seemed SO like dream and still
AGAIN / listened-I could no longer
be mistaken, as to my ears there
floated the sweet words OF halt
forgotten song. With an effort
raised myself and gazed about me
Though somewhat rested, my eyes
were dim, and my head heavy. The
singing had suddenly ceased and al
/ stood in a half expectant attitude
INV gaze fell upon the form of girl
Entrenched behind a fallen tree sh'
stood gazing at me with wide e-eye'
astonishment. She was scarcel.
more than child, and still, it re
auired no second glance to betra
an unusual beauty of form and face
Her head, protected only by wealt
Of golden hair, was thrown back an
her eyes, which were unusuall
large and bright, shown with loo
of mingled sympathy and curloslt
as she gazed at me.
Have l disturbed your" she IL
ouired at length. L had no id
there was any one near" she apol
gized, adding by way OF explain
ton, you see l always take a stre
every afternoon to gather flowers
She held large bunch Of wild ros
before my feverish eyes and sto'
calmly waiting my reply.
1t was with some difficulty tha
at length got control of the lit
power of speech that remained, a
nv voice was harsh and unnatu
as said:
II was only resting. | am
stranger in these parts and have |
my way. started on Sunday mo
ing for stroll and was unable
find my way back to the village.
Sunday morning?' she inquir
Il do not quite understand, thi
Tuesday and l did not think tn
was village near here"
Il have been in the woods all
time and without food" l explajI
and | am sure," added, you n
have heard of the village of Y
that was the one to which
ferred."
She did not appear to hear the
part of my statement, for befo
had ceased speaking, she was at
side, her eyes shining with tel
sympathy. :,
You must come with me, :
said, and turning, led the
down narrow path. As folio
slowly, she turned and offered
strong. young arm for my sup
remarking, how tired you must