The Hidden Children

mperature of July remained constant; fiery days of sunshine were succeeded by nights so hot and suffocating that life seemed well-nigh insupportable under tents or in barr

e about unclothed save for the narrow clout and sporran; and all day and all night our soldiers

every evening after dark, and usually found Lois lying in the

s, we lay listlessly, speaking only at intervals, gasping for air and coolnes

iting for me, nor did Mrs. Rannock seem to know whi

om the coppery zenith, and I encountered her moving toward the Spring path, just enterin

aimed. "All manner of vague forebodings

impatiently. "As though a few hours'

re have

y not take

s that?" I a

ly-nilly! If you must know, I have played the maid of ancient

rplexed mien, sh

ot the Grecian maids spend h

ite fatigue came back; and she passed the back of one ha

at night to the Spring Waiontha to bathe in the still, cold pools. Oh, Euan, it is most delicious! I have slept there until dawn, lying up to my throat in t

ep so in the Water

e sobbed in her sleep all night and I could not close my eyes, So I thought of the Spring Waiontha, and the next instant was on my way there, feeling the path with nake

the pool with you, a

ul! And

to follow you anywhere

earing, moving with a swift confidence in her knowledge of the place, wh

slipping her hand into mine. "I shou

t m

ough, how it was with her-how she regarded our friendship. It was to her a deep and living thing-a noble emotion, not a passion-a belief founded on gratitude and reas

ggeration for the same sentiments she entertained toward me, how could she have rightly understood the symptoms of this amazing malady that possessed me-these

n. I think now, at that period, somewhere under all the very real excitement and emotion of an adolescent encountering for the first time the sweet appeal of youthful mind and body, that

ad walked straight into the water excep

ver get back a

tips a-dangle, breaking them with my left ha

o spare your shins in the

sit and ta

th! I am fairly melt

en you for two ent

y, but you seem

you every day I a

I don't see Euan today I will nevertheless see him to

oi

ha

ou reason

in me where you are concerned. But I hav

olable," sai

jealous that I should arrogate to myself a warmer

ch for you, L

I for

I care f

Do you think me insensible

your gratitude fo

oo! It's gratitude to God for giving me you, Euan Loskiel

expression she wore for her rebuke to me. Then as I stood silent, I felt her litt

I do not mean at all. Always remember, Euan-always, always-that whatever I am unkind enough to say or do to vex you, in my secret m

ry to love me s

d

mea

ly-you know-not in the m

e you in t

ou say I don't-and-I do know yours, too. And if a day ever comes that neither you nor I are longer able to think clearly and calmly with our minds, but begin to reason with our emotions, then I shall consider that we are really entering into a state of love-such as you sometimes have mentioned to m

ust

haps for that reason I am come out into this new sunshine which you have made for me, to play as children play-having never done so in my youth. Bear with me, Euan. You would not want me if there were nothing in me to respond to you. If there ever is, it will not remain silent. But first I want my play-day in the s

r before sent any man such a com

s are to be awakened and won, I think it might be done

her hands and slipped a

d I, "or you will

to pre

st I go

I heard her moving softly, but the

oi

rep

repeated

l, silence, then somewhere in

aid I. "Have y

't endure it any longer; and you didn't seem to w

say--" I began

ght to teach you what a comrade's perfect confidence can

pool rippled in the darkness with a silvery sound, as though a g

outright-the light, mischi

mbushed water-sprite meditating malice, and slyly alert to do you a harm. Have a care, el

ame again from the more d

h you commanded a

agon will bring it to

er wet little hands; an

use, as I was coming with my mending from the fort-then I knew I wanted everything you have bespoken for me.... Everything, dear lad! Oh, you don't kn

tter that I first

condescen

hink

e soft and indecisive sound of ripples stir

your good friends?" sh

mer I have known intimatel

o present me to her first-if

eecker i

Miss Helmer t

ur

ge.... An

rld thi

at do you t

pretty," said

there, my knees gathered in my

ntly came

night,

he dangling broken branch; stepped forward, groping, until I touched the next broken branch.

ght, lit

you in the morning to go to Mrs. Bleecker, or to receive her as you and

, Lo

ll will hold them. Anyway, I can powder and patch, and-oh, Euan! Is there lip-red and

tler, having but then received it from New York. And all I know, Lois, is that it was full of boxes, jars, and flasks,

I ado

battery," said I

ou. But you had become so dear to me-and I could read you through and through-and found you so like myself-and it gave me a new pleasure to humble my pride to your desires. That is how i

the world are

o happy, so content, so excited yet so co

I

e no fear. If my gowns are truly what I think they are, I shall conduct without a tremour-par

ay to Boyd if he seems in any wise

he said with calm contempt. "But there i

Then the unseen water

s vanished.... Good-night, dear lad.... And one thing more.... All you are to me-all you have done for me-don't you understand that I could

said unsteadily. "I

shed voice of a child who dreams, w

e, and I was conscious of many people stirring, of voices, the dip of paddles, and of the slow batteaux pass

is-a fine and noble box indeed, in its parti-coloured cowhide cover, and a pretty pattern of brass nails all over

I broke bread together, seated in the willow sha

ready inspected the unpleasant trophies behind the

eir scars, Loskiel. A child may safely play in the fores

mochol

Siwanois hatchets are still sticking in the heads of Hiokat

naged to wound

eft, and only a half-ounce ball. My brother Loskiel will make proper requisi

ot, Indian-trade, smooth bore was no weapon for this warrior; nor was it

rr and his command had come in the night before from their

the Sagamore well affected toward our cause; and seemed much pleased when I

he mission Indians as guides-neither on the Stockbridge runners nor on the Oneidas, who have co

ey had as soon enter h

o open and read the letters whic

ur rifles for my Moh

ott's men have not yet

rthel

nk it ne

m the only reliable guide this

ur. Use your own wit and knowledge; do as you deem best. All I ask of you

the majority of white men mistook their red brethren of the forest, and how blind t

even Major Parr, who was no fool and who was far more enlightened than many, spoke of a Mohican Sa

aluting, and almost incli

o my captain, although being on special detail under Major Parr

enant Boyd, and we conversed for a while, he lamenting the impossibility of m

curiously. "I understand that you are acquainted

d already started to prepare the way; but I kept my countenance and ans

y batteau f

has just arrived fro

g and handsome?"

, Mr.

, "she must be something more, too,

, the heat leaving me disinclined to stir from the shade of the river trees. Evidently it had not debarred Boyd from presenting himself, or her from receivin

and wine at five," sa

buckling on his belt, and the conch-horn's blas

and our precious Ensign, come to view the insp

oghan's house, and found Mrs. Bleecker

uly believe we are to have an endurable day at last." She smiled at me as I st

y, Euan? You seem as flushed and impatie

otly that she laughed a

s, dear lad. Come; shall we walk over to call upon your

ly," said Mrs. Bleecker, with a touch of hauteur; then,

aily. "Sans cérémo

ntered dow

" said I. "God send that Mr. H

e mar

N

ray.... Perhaps, however," and she gave me a mischievous loo

stly, then was obliged to jo

uestion of your friend, Mr. Boyd, and had he answ

d not

y, and every moment when he

not do the like, if priv

un. But Lana! Lord! She was up and out and about with her lieutenant; and he had an Oneida to take them both boatin

he

a.... You, perhaps, might say a friendly word to Mr. Boyd-if you are on that footing wi

ing I am on with him, I will

sh you to p

take pain

sickens me to hear of them. Besides, Lana did ever raise the devi

her bright eyes, and sulked for months. And many

an, scarcely as innocent of intention, I've said as mu

come in sight of the low ho

Bleecker softly. "Lord! What

with wash from the fort; and I briefly acquainted my handsome companion with her t

e so changed, that for a moment I failed to recognise her in this flushed

der, under the chip hat with its lilac ribbons tied beneath her chin-and the beauty-patch on

and I saw her clear grey eyes star-brilliant as I had neve

handsome young matron had flushed brightly at first, lips compresse

e for the first time-and for a brief second they lingered, soft and wonderful, sweet, tender, wistful. But the next moment they were clear an

he look she gave you, E

ois, she said

to become friends if you

her hand

sh it,"

I had expected to yield to you very readily my interest and sympathy, b

ddenly the tears sprang to her eyes, and she turned away

oveliness, wandered about among the charred stumps, my thoughts a heavenly chaos, as though a million angels

beckoned me, and I went in to find Mrs. Bleecker down on her knees on the

make you understand! Everything is too beautiful to be real, and I

ore the slippe

enly animated, turned eagerly once more to

"perhaps your late prayer helped." And to Lois she said mischievously: "You know, my dear, that

smile curving her lips

And I saw Mrs. Bleecker look up at her, then smilingl

ois brought to me naively, for me to share her pleasure. And once or twice I saw Mrs. Bleecker watching us intentl

Croghan's," said Mrs. Bleecker. "And, Euan, I think you should send a wago

back to the fort alone, my heart full of than