Year: 1860


when at last he knew her final determina-
ton, and also that she was about TO wed
the forest hunter, Casper Vincent, his rage
knew no bounds, and he swore that he
would live only for revenge, which should
come right speedily.


From that time until the bridal day,
\ Marion saw him not, but when the little
lcortege issued from the church of the set
i tlement, he rudely pushed past them, and
as he did SO he Kissed the word revenge,
then was lost in the forest that lay close
by and on the morning when all the peo-
pie we're assembled by the river to bid
farewell TO those who were to seek home
in the western wilderness, he was not
among them, but she freely forgave him.
for she wished to be not in anger against
any one as she left her early home, per-
haps never to return to the we'll beloved
spot again.


Onward, onward sped the boats propel-
led by the stout arms of the pioneers until
the sun had reached the meridian and
then they drew them high upon the gravel
II strand, and beneath the gigantic tree
that cast its shade by the river side, they
gathered to partake Of their MONDAY meal;
and we'll did they relish it for the future
seemed bright to them. for the danger of
the passage was we'll nigh over for in
few hours they would be at the block
house.


Their repast concluded, some threw
themselves on the ground, in the deep
forest shade to spend the hour allotted for
their rest, while others wandered away by
the margin of the river, yet others deep
into the wild-woods; and when they had
gathered at their place of departure one
of the number reported that some half a
mile down the liver there were plain marks
where a boat had rested on the strand, and
also the footprints of several persons that
wore the Indian moccasin and among
them could be distinguished the track of
some one OF the settlement; and that all
the marks were of recent date.


Some strolling Indians, observed
Boone, who listened to the recital; but
think, Robert, you must be mistaken as to
the foot prints of white man.


The one. addressed as Robert reiterated
his statement, but it gained little credence
with Boone not SO much as to raise his
curiosity to visit the spot, as he considered
it impossible for any person to be SO far
away in the forest in company with Indi
ans, alone; and so he gave the word to
embark and soon they we're skimming over
the water beneath the renewed strokes of
the boatmen.


The sun was half way from the me-
ridian to the horison, when a sharp turn
in the river gave them full view of their
new home, and one long wild shout of JOY
rung out upon the silence Of the forest, as
! the block house burst upon their view a
shout of heartfelt gratitude to Him who
/ had brought them in safety to their chosen
home; and that night saw the great
pioneer of the western wilderness beneath
| his own roof surrounded by those who
had borne him company, band that laid
the foundation of great and flourishing
State.


> Casper and Marion, hand in hand, stood
$ that evening upon the river brink and
{ although their thoughts wandered back to
the distant settlement, they were happy
: in each others love, and resolved to
bravely bear the hardships of the pioneer s
sI life to win name for themselves /; but
> they little knewof the sorrow that was
f soon to come upon them ere they could
put their plans into execution, for alas we
j know not what the morrow may bring
FORTH


o The morning sun arose in unclouded
\ splendor, as bright as the day preceding
/ it, and gazed down upon the pioneers,
whose rude fortress lay enveloped in its
bright and sparkling rays. The dew lay
IN rlxy Har
o grass and on opening flowers that were
blooming in all directions. The hardy
8 pioneers seemed to drink in the inspira-
!, tions of the glorious scene, and with
@ grateful hearts gazed around in pride
e and pleasure upon the lovely spot they
had selected for their future home.
E The sun was some three hours in the
heavens when Marion with light basket
n on her arm came down to the river side
r where Casper and several others were en-
gagged in unloading the boats, and on in
quiring where she was going, replied that
g she had started on an exploring expedi-
a ton into the forest in search of the wild
h tulip in which it aboundod and after


receiving the admonition not to wander
@ too far away, she bade them good morn
$ ing, and bounded light as a fawn into the
n forest. Casper watched her retreating
r form until it had disappeared, and then
h resumed his work with light heart, for
f now he had some one to care for and
# protect.


4. Again the sun reached the meridian,
and the last load had been taken from the
/. boats aud conveyed to the block house, and
G as they were gathered together to partake


of their nooutide meal Casper looked a.
d round in vain for Marion, and asked
"Has Marion returned from the forest
e yctY'


r al have not seen her." replied the per-
I son addressed "but supposed she was
d down to the boats waiting to come up with