The Associate Hermits

arse riding-skirts, sat each upon a farm-horse, and Mr. Archibald held the bridle of the one that carried his wife. Matlack and Martin Sanders

e of a cart. The road was solemn and still, except where, here and there, an open space allowed the

out the waters of a small lake. Camp Rob was not far from the head of the lake, and for some distance above and below the forest stood back from the water's edge. In the shade of a gre

reflected in the water beneath. Even Mrs. Archibald, whose aching back began to have an effect upon her disposition, was delighted with the b

n, and she had made up her mind that she would not be a millstone around the necks of her companions. Many people have been happy in camps, and, indeed, camp-life has become one of the features of our higher civ

ything, even the furniture, was just what a house in the woods ought to be; and when she entered the little studio, which was nearer allied to the origi

hil Matlack to Mr. Archibald, as h

time with fishing-parties, but we never had such a fine c

herman, then?"

r since I was a boy, and know a good deal a

hink he can read the characters of people just as quick as he can aim a rifle. And it's a mighty important thing to keep Peter's

ar from the cabin, and then Matlack and Martin went to work to prepare supper. The dining-room in pleasant weather was the small space in front of the hou

than any of the party had expected. The camp o

sh of hot and savory broiled ham, "after Mr.

table with them, but she need have had no such fears. Matlack and Martin cooked and waited with a skill and deftness

mp-fire would not be a camp. The party ranged themselves around it, Mrs. Archibald on a rug brought from the cabin, and her husband and Marge

t Mr. Matlack to come here and tell me how h

arkness was about her, but through the open window she could see, ove

," thought the good lady, "I would do it; but I can

e to think of, it might be a rat. She was sure rats would eat straw beds, and her first impulse was to wake Mr. Archibald; but she hesitated, he was sleeping so soundly. Still she listened, and now she became almost certain that what she heard was not the patter of small feet; it

east, perhaps a panther. The door was shut and fastened, but the window was open. To call Mr. Archibald and tell him a wild beast was walking outside the house would be positively wicked. Half-awakened, he would probably rush out of the door to see what it was. What could she do? For an instant she thought of lighting a candle and standing it in the wind

imprisoned her, and shut her out from the world in which she was born and in which she ought to live. There was a far-away sound which came to her ears once, twice, thrice, and which m

the sense of her present grewsome and doleful condition, was so truly

ald, suddenly turning over in his bed. "Are you cho

. I couldn't help laughing at the thought that there sh

both a world of good. It is such a complete and perfect change that I don't wonder you laugh

er wink that night, but she did sleep seven hours and a ha