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

e rich,

nia, or soo

airy-story it

modern

happy now

of the young and loving. If Virginia had been dressing herself for a ball she would not have used more care than she had shown in the simple afternoon toilet she now wore-simple, and yet the result of consummate tact. A single string of pearls looped up the heavy braids of black hair, an Indian muslin robe, in whose folds lurked precious perfumes, floated about her form, the wide, full sleeves falling away from t

oked up into his face. He was fully aware, at that moment, of her attractions; a s

pect to be very much blessed as soon as a sli

uspense, Philip? every

a great deal, if not every thing. You always promised to smile

I dared not. Now we are equal-in fortune, youth, health. My father is so much better. He was out walking this afternoon; the country air has benefited him. The doctor thinks it may be

ite hand slid d

owd, are still disposed to encore. Supposing we change the scene from the Lake of Como to

ifting to et

lls, from out

liage, musica

uld syllable th

h the arching v

d be unhappy, w

uth and love. We

lovers; no a

ll in love-that

poorly eloq

poetry of hea

me, amidst the br

star should be o

al; while the

the mist of al

r was heavy

es and music o

low fountains

oses! Dost thou l

a, can't you a

e, can I r

bee upon the

ey of thy el

t? And if I l

love thee li

I'd have thought you really meant that, on

fals

ce thou lovest

coming fortune, I had resolved to search you out and take back my cruel resolution-more cruel to myself than to you. I found that I had

plashed upon his hand. They ought to have

of womanhood. But I have found her there. A woman, a child rather, as beautiful as yourself-as much more beautiful, as love is lovelier than pride; an Eve in innocence, with a soul as crystal as a silver lake; gracefu

in earnes

se of which I spoke. My little bird is deep in the western forests, looking out for me with those blue eyes of hers, so wistfully, for I promised to be back long ago. Your father's affairs are in a tangled condition,

ason you have forgotte

in a log-cabin, and has neither jewels nor silk dresses. So, you see, I am not mercenary. Her 'loveliness needs not the forei

ing, Philip Moore. You might at least spare

entrated carbon-it's yet beyond the fusible state, and it's nothing now but a great

ader-yet I was certainly more merciful than you. I tempered my refusal with

riously, I must go to-morrow. I have remained away from my business much longer than I should; but I could not desert my uncle in his sickness and difficulties until I saw him better. He was

could not leave me so coolly. I'm not so bound up in appearances as I was once.

ous as the waves of a sea. Her cheek, wet with tears, and flushed with feeling, pressed against his arm. It was a dangerous hour for the peace of that other young maiden in the far West. Old dreams, old habits, old hopes, old associates, the glittering of the waves of the Hudson,

gment and my pride approve my affection. Then the West is no place for a man like you. You used to be ambitious-to plan out high things for your future. I adore ambition in a man. I would not have him sit at my feet day and night, and make no effort to conquer renown. I would have him great, tha

e Wilde hung in the heaven of Philip's heart, calming the earthly tide of passion which beat and murmured in his breast. He remembered that touching assurance of hers

ong already, Virginia

summer moonshine, a servant came hastily with word, that the master of the hou

w in fifteen minutes; Philip ordered a trusty servant to proceed on board of her to New York, and bring back the medical attendant by the return boat in the morning. Meanwhile he did what little he could for the relief of the unconscious man, while Virginia, pale as her dress, the flowers in her bosom withering beneath

don't you come? I've forgiven you,

looking with awe into the eyes which did not recogn

dead-Alice, the pride

in such a state. Philip, can't

is beyond mortal aid. Be brave, my de

erness to the frightened, sorrowful woman who had only him to cl

stake now. You have been very kind and unselfish to me since I sent for you. You are a man of prudence and honor. I should die content, if I knew Virginia was your wife, if you had not a thousand dollars to call your own. Poor girl! she will have very little, after all my vain seeking of wealth for her. Gold is nothing-happiness is all. Virginia, take warning by me. I am

afraid his strength would not last him to say what he w

can you desert me, too? O father

med the old man with some of that stern command in his voice

elf, uncle, about Virginia. I will be to her a true and faithful brother

done for you, since you were thrown upon my hands, an orphan and friendless

is cousin, too, was

nt to let me die unsatisfied?"-the

nia-to care for her as if she were

been unreasonable and exacting all his life, co

ed; but the moment when his promise would have given his uncle any satisfaction had pass

g upon her knees and flinging her arms

ay from the room by force, while others came to attend upon the dead. To see her so given up to grie

your brother now," he said, very gently, as he seated her upon a sofa and drew her head to his shoulder, sooth

y some real sorrow," he thought, as he laid her carefully upon the

hen the funeral was over, the outer excitement subsided, and nothing left but that emptiness and shadow of the house fro

d to my affairs at the West? If you will, I can come back again in the

go wild with fear and loneliness in this great house, with no one bu

. Besides, my dear girl, I must tell you that the town-house will not be long in your hands. When the estate is settled up, this property here, and a small annuity possibly,

ide. I know nothing of business. I wish you to do every

which she should be happy and conte

home for a few weeks. In the mean time the affairs of the estate will be closing up. When I return, I will see to them; and

are it,

he had dreamed it-her love what he hoped; if so, nothing should tempt him from the fulfillment of the