Year: 1874

friendship would ever unto us and so it
ever may. But cannot deceive my own
soul. cannot take to myself pleasure
that might ere long turn to serpent and
sting me. My own heart tells me that the
friendship it already feels would soon kim
die into brighter flame. 1 will speak
plainly now, and then you will understand
me-nor will you wonder at, or blame me,
for my course. The human heart knows
not the social barriers which the world
has set up between man and naan, but it
loves all that is beautiful, and all that is
good and SO my heart is turned towards
you until your image is reflected there as
light to my soul. Now 1 am safe and
though it cost pang to pluck away some
of the deeper roots which that friendship
has taken, yet I.must do it, else it might
grow to a warmer love, and bloom but to
wither. You now understand me. When
ever you call my image back to your mind,
think of me as one who had too much
honor to deceive you, and too much self
love to break his own heart"


AS the young man spoke he turned away
to hide tear that stole to his eye, and in
moment more he started to walk away.
His steps were slow, for the feelings that
dwelt in his bosom were heavy and sad, and
he felt as though he were leaving his very
heart behind him. Half a dozen steps had
he taken, when his own name spoken in a
pleading tone caused him to turn, when
Ada said "Do not leave me thus" For
a moment a glow overspread her face, and
as Orlando came and took her hand she con-
tinued "you spoke plainly, and SO will
l. Co lid you not have asked my feelings,
before you thus break the bonds that now
bind us?'


"And if I hadP" asked Orlando. 81
would have told you the truth, said Ada"


"And that truth would have been death
to the poor hunters hopes" he replied.


"No, had you asked me- should have
told you that the gratitude at first awaken
ed, had already mounted to stronger feel
ing. And now knowing that, can you leave
me thus ?''


"Noble, generous Ada, how can I thank
you for such an avowal." 81 need no
thanks" replied she "for the pleasure 1
see my words have given you more than
repay me already"


For one moment Orlando embraced her
and then said: "And now Ada can tar
ry no longer as must hasten to my charge
in the forest, where l hope some day you
will accompany me and see my mother"


BY the time the young hunter reached
the cove where he usually secured his canoe
the sun had just sunk behind the distant
tree-tops that skirted the bend Of the river,
and he made all possible haste to be on his
way home. His faithful hounds were with
him, and after dragging the canoe up into
the bushes, he whistled them away and
shouldering his rifle he started on. The
path through which he took his route
homeward was somewhat circuitous, owing
to several bog-holes that intercepted the
straight line, and thus for most of the way
he could see only short distance ahead.


He had traversed nearly quarter of
mile on his way, when he was started by q
quick sharp Cry of one of his hounds. 1t
was cry such as seldom escaped their lips,
and for moment he seemed undecided
what course to pursue, for both of the dogs
came crouching towards him, evidently
having seen something that they dared not
cope with. But what could it be ? for he
knew Of nothing in those woods of such a
character His hesitation was but mo-
mentary, however, for laying down the
bundle he had brought with him from
jamestown, he cooked his rifle and stole
carefully forward The wind that sighed
through the towering tree-tops lent but
little of its music to break the silence of
the forest and as the young hunter crept
stealthily onward he could almost hear
the beatings Of the hearts Of the hounds
that kept by his side.


He had not proceeded more than rod,
when sharp, double click struck his ear,
scarcely more perceptible than the drop
ping of pin, but yet of such nature as
to make him start, for he knowing It to be
tbs swapping of the dog-spring Of rife
lock AS quick as had been the thought
that conveyed the intelligence to his mind
did the hunter turn his eyes in the direc-
tion from which the sound proceeded, and
almost on the instan he caught the fiery
CLEAN of glaring eye, just within a
clump of alders, glaucing along upon a
rifle barrel towards him. One single hut-
ter of hesitation or fear would have proved
fatal To iha unnnn hunter. hnA HE hnn.A