Year: 1873

In the doorway of cabin which nes-
tied at the very foot of the giant noun
tains of New Hampshire, stood man
and a woman as the sur was going
down.


Three years before they had come
from the settlement down by the sea to
the wids that surrounded them, and by
dnt of hard work and perseverance they
had made quite clearing in the narrow
valley and erected them comfortable
home.


They were in the very prime of life
Hardly a silver thread was vet to be
seen about their hrows, and their forms
were still as upright as the forest trees.


Their names we're Reuben and Ruth
Mason, and for nesrly score of years
they had been man and wife.


Only one child had been given them,
and she was as the very apple of their
eve She was seventeen now,and fairer
maiden the bsckwoods could not show.
Upon this all were agreed 3


Had you asked any of the young hun
ters who frequented the settlers cabin
which of all the maidens Of the settle.
ment abont the mountains was the fair
est, they with one accent would have
said Hester Mason.


There was not one of them but was
in love with her, and they were never so
happy as when they could win a smile
from her lips Bat only one of them
could win her heart, and this Sam King
man had done.


Though his comrades felt envious of
his good luck, they could not help ad-
hitting to themselves that he was the
most deserving of her.
His fathers cabin stood some half a
mite down the valley, and they being
near neigbbors, he had the advantage of
bis rivals who lived farther away. He
was able to see Hester every day if he
chose


And it had come about of late that he
was thus minded. and hardly day pass
ed that they were not together


Ruth and Ruben looked on smilingly
They felt that the young hunter was
worthy of their child. and that though
they would miss her when she was gone
from them, they would not stand in the
way of her happiness.


The sun went down, and at last his
face was hidden behind the tree-tops to
the westward. They had watched it in
silence as it went out OF their sight, and
now Ruth exclaimed, as she looked up
into the face of her husband:


II don't see where Hester is. 1t is
time she was back The mountains come
down so close that the shadows must be
thick up the branch now. warned her
not to stay late even if her pail was not
filed But ii the berries were as plenty
as she said, she has had more than time
to do it now


eyes. Ruth, there is no doubt Of that
Her fingers are nimh and it didn't take
her long, Ill warrant me-


"But she had ought to have been back
before now. can't help feeling uneasy.
You know the track of the panther we
saw down on the sand by the water of
the branch! the beast may be prowling
there again as soon as it comes dark"
u don't believe that Hester is up there
now"


"Where is she then p


"Down to Kingman's. 1t was nearer
to 90 there than to come home. We
shall see her and Sam Coming up the
valley soon"


81 hope we may; but somehow |
never felt so worried before"


The last glow Of the sunlight died out
amid the trees,a and the shadows of night
grew thick in the valley. Each momen;
the remembrance of the panther's tracks
grew more and more appalling to the
mother, and at last she could remain
content no longer.


81 can't keep quiet any longer, Reu-
ben," she said I'm going down to
K.ngman's If Hester is not there, sure
ly some barm has befallen her"


Reuben was OF the same opinion, but
he did not say So He felt sure that she
had gone to their neighb0rs. II he had
not thought so he would have been scar
ching for her before


very WE'LL" he answered. I'm sure
you'll have your labor for your pains
There! what did l tell you? they're
coming now"


"Where, Reuben p


Down yonder, can see something
moving in the darkness


at is only one, and a man at that 1t
is not Hester, Reuben


IL see now that il is not. Who can it
be-"


sit is Slm,'' cried Ruth, excitedly.-
'fThat tells us surely that Hester is not
at his fathers. He is coming here to see
her"


Reuben did not speak The fear his
wife had expressed was in his own heart
how Something must have happened
TO Hester, or she would not have linger-
ell IN the forest uail this late hour


A few minutes brought Sam Engman
to the door. There Was smile Of an,
ticipated pleasure upon his face, but ii
quickly fed away when in an eager tone
Ruth demanded if he had seen aught OF
Hester.


No." he answered in surprise; sis
she not here ?"


A brief explanation followed, and the
fnor falt hv tho parantc foun1 q lo5n.