Alice Wilde: The Raftsman's Daughter. A Forest Romance

e died, hadn't been for dat fire dat frighted me so, and made me pray fasser 'n eber I prayed afore. Lord! Miss Alice, it looked like de judgment-day, when we sailed down de ribbe

good 'nuff for my pickaninny, and he ought to hab sense 'nuff to see it. Ye'd best be kerful, Miss Alice; he's high-tempered, and he'll make trouble. 'Scuse me for speakin'; I know ye've allers been so discreet and as modest as an angel. None can blame you, let what will happen. But I wish dat Mr. Moore would go way. Yes, I do, Miss Alice, for more 'n one reason. Don't tink ole Pallas not see tru a grin'-stone. Ef he wants to leab any peace o' mind behind him, he'd be

e her father left for the mill, in the middle of the day, after the furniture was moved in, while Pallas put things "to rights," she had woven wreaths of evergreens, with scarlet dogberries and brilliant autumn-l

umphs of her skill. A plentiful supply of preserved strawberries and wild-plum marmalade, grape-jelly, and blackberry-jam adorned the board. A venison-pie was baking in the oven, an

ssistance in getting evergreens. He was now out after a fresh supply, and Alice was beginning to

or him; and at last, six o'clock being come and pa

coming, and Mr.

seven-eight-and yet P

woods. Poor Alice could not force herself to eat. She tried to smile as she waited upon her guests; but her face grew paler and her eyes larger every moment. Not that there was any such great cause for fright; there were no wild animals in that vicinity, exc

e perfection of the salmon-sauce, "there's no cause. He's lost; but he can't get so fur in the wrong direction but we'll rouse

as he helped himself to a second large piece of venison-pie. "'Tain't no use to be in a hurry. The

speed with his eating. Pallas waited upon the table in profound silence. Something was upon her mind;

he did not look anybody straight in the face, but sitting down with a reckless, jovial air, different from his

was the first question put to him, in

course he'd be here makin' himself a

t her gaze was fixed upon him with a kind of fascination; she could not turn it away, but sat staring at him, as if in a dream. Only once did he lift his eyes while he sat at the table, and then it was toward her; they slow

olish child; and she said nothing, only to hurry them. Ben was among the most eager for the search. He headed a party which he proposed should strike directly back into the wood; but two or three thought best to go in

another lantern. You wo

ss. I don't like trabelling in de woods at night, but de Lo

, and she would not, dared not give shape to it. All night guns were fired, and the faithful men pursued their search; and at daybreak they retu

nd the hearing of the clamor they had made through the night, they now anticipated some accident, and

e, walking like one distracted, darting wild glances hither and thither, and calling in an impassioned

before, and fluttering round and round the spot, like a bir

blood and his hair mottled with it, a frightful gash across his temple and head, which he droo

sinking beside him, and lifting his head

the spot, found her, pale as the body at h

fainted. Here, men, lift him up speedily, for he's n

ed to murder the young man for his valuable watch and chain and the well-filled purse he was supposed to carry. But no

ouse, and she would have him there. After the administration of a powerful dose of brandy, the faint pulse of the wounded man fluttered up a little stronger; mo

deprived him of his senses. How long he lay, bleeding and stunned, he could only guess; it seemed to be deep night when he recalled what had happened, and found himself lying on the ground, confused by the pain in his head and faint from loss of blood. He managed to crawl upon the log, so as to lean his head upon his arms, and h

deed? What was the object? the pleasant young stranger had no enemies,-he had not been robbed; there

ortal lips had revealed it, who was the would-be murderer. A pair of eyes had uncon

would she have to offer?-that the criminal loved her, and she loved the victim. No! she would keep the gnawing truth in her own bosom, only whisp

delirious; there was much more probability of his dying than recovering. Both Mr. Wilde and Pallas had that skill picked up by the necess

nd trouble, he could not but believe that the hand of the proudest aristocrat on earth was none too good for her, and that Philip would recognize her beauty and worth. If she must love, and be married, he would more

irious lips which added still more to her despair-fond, passionate words, addressed not to her, but to some beloved woman, some

dless jealousy. Oh, that he may live to save this Virginia, whoever she may be, from the fat

ent, and he recovered rapidly. Then how it pleased Pallas to cook him tempting dishes; and how it pleased Alice to see the appetite with which he

eabouts, her lips refused to form his name. She hoped that he had fled; but then she knew that if he had disappeared, her father would have mentioned it, and that the act would have fixed suspicion upon him. She felt that he was

is convalescence so pleasant, that he had not strength of will sufficient to break the charm. To read to his young friend while she sewed; to watch her flitting about the room while he reclined upon a lounge; to talk with her; to study her changing countenance, grew

said unequivocally, that if he did not wish to be ice-bound for the winter, he would have to depart as soon as his strength would permit. Her father had promised him, when

tempted murder, yet the former half knew that the truth was guessed b

nity to see you getting so tired of me," he said, laughingly, one day, when they were alone together, he sitting on the k

faces, masser Philip. But ole folks knows som

and you second your darling's wishes-eh, Pallas?" a

od, as I know as has been wid her sence she drew her firs' bref. If I tought she wanted you to go, I'd want you to go, too, masser,

she is getting

your forrid. She knows who made dat ugly scar, and what fer they did it. She tinks dis a dangerous country f

ce for all you've done for me, and because-because-I shan't be able to stay

tay 'way?" queried sh

s, Aunt Pallas. I

essing-like to have things plain, and

am going to ask Alice, this evening. She's evidently frightened about me; she won't let me sti

t I

f such a worthless kind of a person as mys

zzer me. I'se busy wid dis ironin'. You'd

say something t

tease somebody hain't

set for my departure, and when I'm gone it will be too late to send your answer after me;"

oof tings out in dis yere worl' quite so easy as I smoof out dis table-cloth.

master's changes of linen and cooked provisions for the next day's journey,

for Philip's convenience, and his companion at his request had taken a seat by his side. The curtains were

t use to be

il you were hurt, Mr. Moore, I did not think how

ion on your mind. It is passed; and such things

r myself-it is fo

he woods. Supposing I was in danger, li

d not

risk for some one you

ings-my

ng a man loved a woman very much, and she professed to return his love, but was not willing to share his meager fort

did not

and you know nothing of the strength of fashion in the world, o

ed it," she a

n those pure eyes, as if she would have add

perfect foot upon my neck and press my life out. She knew how I adored her, and she told me

name Vi

how did y

of her when

rilliant for the next evening's ball. She drove me off to the West to make a fortune for her to spend,

on's head was drooping. He lifte

nothing in its true light. But my vision is clear now. Virginia shall n

held began

ed to answer it, what sacrifices would you have made? Would you have given me

e offered happiness if, by accepting it, I thought I should ever, by my ignorance of proprieties, give him cause to blush for me-if I thought my uncultivated tastes would some time disappoint him, that he

ing, and the tears which would com

ice! far more than worthy of me!" cried Philip, in a rapture he co

d, with that archness so native

ak-don't speak!" and he shut her m

gh with happiness to recall any of t

first breezes of spring, Alice. Your father shall know all, on our way down the river. O

books you brought me. But I shall not allow myself to hope too much," she add

sm. "Here comes your father. Dear Alice, your cheeks ar