Year: 1875

,
knee for though it was our first meet
ing after a separation of some years, l
had supposed him to be childless.


She had entered the room so noise
lessly that until she spoke. neither of US
had been conscious of her presence.
"Good night my daughter" said my
host. smile of infinite tenderness soft
ening his rather stern features. and hold
ing out his arms as he spoke.


The child sprang quickly to the shell
ter of the broad breast, laying her soft
cheek lovingly against his.


AS he held her thus. stroking tender
ly as mother might the shining hair
that mingled with his own jetty locks, l
thought had never seen prettier pic
ture.


She was in form so petite, with feat
urcs almost infantile in their delicacy
of outline he was so strong and stately;
her complexion was exquisitely fair, and
her eyes of the sOftest blue; while his
were black and piercing, and his face
bronzed by the exposure to sun and
storm Incidental to his adventurous life


A matronly looking woman opened
the door, pausing upon the threshold as
if reluctant to disturb them


AS soon as my FREUD observed her,
he arose, and blessing the child with
solemnity and tenderness l had never
witnessed in him before, dismissed her.


mot your own daughter % 1 said, as
soon as we were left alone.


''No but could not love her better
if she were. She is the most precious
of all my earthly possessions, as well
she might be. My darling little Kathie
she saved my life"


what that slender, delicate child p


"Yes; and when she was younger and
smaller than she is now"


81 will tell you how it was,'' added
my friend, replying more to the eager
inquiries iu my eyes than to anything 1
had said.


at is not long story"


And pushing toward me a cut glass
dish, of some quaint and curious pattern,
filed with heavy clusters of grapes, my
host settled himself back in his easy
chair aud commenced as follows:


about two years ago, important busi-
ness called me to A., in the western
part of Canada Partly because l was
more accustomed to that style of loco
motion, and partly because public con-
veyanees il that section Of the country
were slow and uncertain, ] started on
, horseback.


Il had been about fortnight on my
; way, and was beginning to congratulate
myself that was near the termination
of my journey.


|
began to look as if a storm were brew
ing. l had ridden many hours through
rude and thinly settled country, and
! began to look anxiously about for some
human habitation. 1t was, therefore,
with feeling of relief that saw, a few
| rods ahead Of me, what seemed to be a
public house. 1t was so long since |
had seen one, that, in spite of its dark,
dreary appearance, it had a pleasant
. look to me.


I There were neither trees nor any
signs of vegetation around the house, in
front of which was crazy looking sign
creaking in the wind that was rising
and upon which could be seen a few let
{ tiers of what was evidently once-'En-
: tertainment for Man and Beast now
nearly efaced by exposure to the wealth
; er.


"As rode to the door. L saw stout,
middle aged man sitting on the rude
j. porch, cleaning gun.


Good evening. friend l said Can
: you tell me how far it is to the village
' Of A.?


"The man gave me quick. eompre-


hensive glance, and then dropped his


eyes.


5 "a 1t is a matter of eight miles, be
5 replied; gust beyond the Black Forest
: the edge of which you can see from here
You had better not attempt it tonight,
: he added, as he saw l was hesitating a
5 to whether had better stop or pust


ahead. now that was so near my jour
y ney's end There's storm coming up
o besides good many travellers have beer
: robbed in Black Forest lately
: "'I believe | won't risk it, then.'
/? said; for l have about me that 1 woul'
= not care to lose.


II recalled afterwards the suddel
IS Frightening of the landlords eyes as


said this, but it was so brief that
; made little impression on me at the time
st "Remarking that his hOstler had gOn
g away on an errand. he took charge of m
u horse. and taking my saddle-bags in m
hand. | entered the house
70 .It consisted of large hall. with
IS good sized room on either side AS 500
ID as l stepped in, my attention was arres
q ed by little girl. in spite Of her neg
= lected appearance. one Of the most pc
y fectlr lovely little creatures that ev.