Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1919-02-11
HIS WOOD NYMPn
BY AGNES G. BRoeAN.
Copyright 1917. Westsrn Nsw.n.na 1-.,a.

Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper union.l
When Carson came to a clearing he
dropped his gun among the thick
Ieaves, and lighting his pipe, leaned
iazliy back against tree-trunk. Game
was scarce. but it was the autumn
beauty OF the woods, as well as the
hunting which had called him. This
day OF warmth and sunshine seemed
borrowed from the summer SO lately
passed.
what glorious spot it vast" His
dark eyes took in the color scheme Of
gold and crimson. Back in the DAYS
Oh chivalry, wandering knight might
meet in such romantic surroundings,
lady of wondrous charm and beauty
"a wood nymph perhaps, with flow
ers twined In her hair. But in this
prosaic age of rush and reality"
Carson smiled int the bowl of his
pipe, 1.-THE wonderful ladies competent-.
ly run their own cars about city pave
ments, or golfed at country club"
Following his smile came a rumina-
tive fr0wn, "Why was he always
doomed to find the companionship Of
the fair sex of such tiresome same
ness, was it because romance still
fingered hopefully at the back of his
capable business brain? A painting,
The Daughter of the Wood which
hanging before his desk at home, had
not consciously attracted his atten-
ton, became' now pictured upon his
mind. The girls long ripping hair,
the eyes of wide startled wonder, the
mischievous curl of lips as red as the
berries in her hair. Then with
sense of human nearby presence, Car
son turned to find the pictured sprite
| perched upon mound of leaves behind
him. This particular sprite laughed
in frank delight at his evident aston
| ishment.
"Well?" she asked saucily. Still be-
wilderedly staring, he noted her round
| brown arms escaping from their rag
| ged covering, the wreath of mountain
| ash berries GROWING her shimmering
hair; hair rippled far below the waist.
| Could it be girl or vision?
''That is what / must ask you," he
replied. "Well"
| She laughed again. "You wonder
how 1 came here" she questioned, "in
this solitude, far from habitation."
| He nodded. 81 fancied at first that
had conjured up your image. My
mind was at the moment filled with
such poetic imaginings."
"We will them" the vision replied,
continue the fancy. / am, sir.
daughter of the wood" she pointed
| to his gun. "You, 1 fear, have been
destroying my feathered friends; the
| cruelty must cease
at will, fair nymph," the man re-
piled, joining whimsically in her pleas
ure. with no habitation within many
weary miles of walking, may / ask
where is your abode?"
The girl pointed upward. I'm the
sturdy oak, sir, beneath which l SIT"
asking pardon of woodland
daughter" Carson replied, "the tree
beneath which you sit is sturdy
beech"
The girls. laughter went ringing
through the silence. "What does 1t
matter? she said. Eat night the tree
makes a sheltered resting place and
by day" she arose hastily to her tiny
sandaled feet-"by day must be busy
gathering nuts for the winters store.
| Ctr 7 pauct lpayp VOlp
Carson arose also. The girl put forth
protesting hand.
'If you please" she begged, and left
him looking after her retreating ng-
ure.
The episode filled his thoughts DUR
ing days which followed. He smiled
in happy Renaissance looking at the
picture of the wood nymph above his
desk. These pictured eyes were not
half so beautiful, he thought, the
curved lips not so alluring, as one
other. And the remembered race
would not be dismissed. Merrlly IL
laughed at him from the cracking
flames of his own fireplace, gravely II
regarded him from shadowy corners
Carson knew that he must go back
hack TO the far wooded country where
he had seen her. Now that romance
had at last found him, he must clalin
1t for his own.
He had reached this decision, when
to mass a restless hour, he entered
motion-picture house. Absently ne
II watched the changing scene cast upon
the screen. There was something
I vaguely familiar, in the wooded, hiiiy
country. then Carson sat up abruptly
Amusement and delight fitting across
( his features.
Down a narrow path, ever nearer
ron graceful girlish figure, her now.
X inc hair crowned with a wreath OF
\ berries. her barred arms outstretcheo
before her a creature wild ana Iree
\ she was. now pausing to laugh IN ms
rorv face. now dropping upon mouno
Z of leaves, mischievously hiding IRON
\ The lover who pursued her-Carson
Y Lnay the hero-lover well, his face was
Yictrred In many magazines, Dut II
Y Nos the girl who claimed hts atten
4 ton. AZ ome
\ mon the screen; and thereafter sa,
I hreathless until the last triumphant
y nicture faded into nothingness. II was
Z th,s very act no doubt that his Wooo
y nrnnb had been rehearsing IN hel
( wooded setting. And when few oay'
4 later, Miss Mollie Miller received p0s s ~,
4 card at the studio. she smiled ne e
8 famous smile and went forth 10 mes
IS $50" she said, 'you found me ai'e'
" ALL" -, o,,n h.