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

ments of some of the sciences; for, curiously enough, considering surrounding circumstances, there was q

arming puzzle, too, for her kindness and sweetness made her beauty so irresistible that they could look upon it without envy. Another thing which helped her along both with teachers and pupils was the excellence of her wardrobe and her lavish supply of pocket-money, for it is tolerably well known that the gli

s annual exhibition, previous to closing for the long August holiday. He would not have thought of attending any thing so tiresome; bu

I suppose we must show a becoming interest in all the various 'institutions' which do

young ladies, to see your wise and venerable c

ic stories about her, but I haven't seen her yet," chatted the young wife. "She's the daughter of a fisherman, I believe, who's grown enormously rich selling salmon and whit

self. "No-hardly-and yet"-he was now as anxious to be "bored"

remote part of the room, where, in the shadow of a pillar, he saw two burning eyes fixed upon him. The face was so much in the shade that he could not distinguish it for some time; but the eyes, glowing and steady as those of a rattlesnake, seemed to pierce him through and transfix him. He looked away, and tried to appea

ieve I would rather she would have kept herself just as unsophist

was music and reading-but Philip was deaf

ss, of the richest blue silk, the flowers on her breast and in her hair, the bow, the step, the little personal adornments, were all a la mode. His woodland sylph had been transformed into a modern young lady. He was almost displeased-and yet she was so suprem

hat his face was plainly visible; and the suspicions he had often entertaine

g the untaught lumberman with a kind of generous compassion. He now saw that Mr

ain Wilde, that queer customer of ours, who hails from the upper country. She's a glorious, remarkable girl! By the way, Phil., did you flirt with her? Becaus

to set a day. I love her as deeply as I honor her. There's something gone wrong, somewhere, or her father would not have l

marry your elegant cousin. You needn't look so provoked, Phil.; I told them in good faith. You used to love Virginia in the days when you confided in me; and if you'd have kep

were fixed only upon Alice. Soon she perceived him; as their eyes met, she grew pale for a moment, and then went on with her part more calmly than ever. To him, it seemed as if they both were acting a part; as if they had no business in that hour, to be anywhere

ted, she came back to see if her father had waited to speak with her. He was there; other parties were scattered about, relatives of the pupils, who wished to speak with them or congratulate them.

Philip, pressing to her side,

ed toward him with

e you. Was that your bride sitting

onsented to take that name, if ever any one. Mr. Wilde, I received your message through Mr. Raymond, but I knew yo

was the raftsm

our forgiveness, that I have wronged you by doubting you. Love-o

uch to have disturbed

le you-you had pride, prejudice, rank, fashion,

glance over her youthful loveliness that she blushed with the delicious consciousness o

h the smiles flashing through them,

aress the presence of strangers would

n of the young man who brought me from your home, last autumn, since your sudden c

had been standing within hearing all this time; he met

us no lett

and the angry blood

r the letters I sen

? I didn't give the letters, but I told all the lies I could to hurt you, Philip Moore. You ought to be a dead man now,

a dangerous fellow," said Mr. W

said Philip, "but th

l you if he gets a chance. Oh, how much trouble that desperate

ting nervous again. We'll take care of Be

fered this winter past," whispered

ose this ogre of a seminary will shut you up to-night; but where shall I see you to-morrow, and how early? I have ye

We will be there at nine o'clock in the morning. And now good-night, puss. You did br

d that he wanted to have her, was evident from the lingering looks of both; but p

ng rapid headway when the alarm was given; it was the hour of night when sleep is soundest

leep in the sto

ore himself-he has

be burned alive. Burst in the doors

om that part of the buildi

oom. David Wilde, whose hotel was not far distant, mingling with others who rushed out at the alarm, as is the custom in provincial towns, was the first to place his foot upon the ladder; his strength

e'll be all right presently," he cried to those who pressed about. "It's that B

perty. The fire was got under without much loss to the building, though its contents suffered from smoke and water. The young firm was not di

suspected he had gone up the river, and feeling that they should have no peace until he was apprehended, and not knowing what mischief he might do at the mill, he took the sheriff with him and started for home, leaving Alice, for the present, at the school, with permission of the principal to see her friends when she chose, as it was now vacatio

alone, and she is your co

me of our own, we will share it with her, if you consent. I've no doubt she can find somebody worthy of her, even in this savage West, as she thinks

lways lose their tongues wh

ice, trying to raise her eyes, but blushes and confusion would

ve or six years yet-tell him you've made your cac

be your teache

e the sooner you shake off yer old

there in the woods. That matter must be settled at the start. I sh

er in the summer, and he shall live with us in the winter. I don'

young girl; and then she blushed more deepl

ew York with me in the latter part of September. We will be gone but a few weeks, and can be

child and put her hand in that of Philip. With that act he had given away to another the most cherished of his possessions. But children never realize the pang which rends the parent heart, when they leave the parent nest and fly to new bowers. "All I shall be good fo

the least i

ping, she won't know whether she ought to spend ten dollars or a hundred. Like as not, she'll get a passion for the pretty amusement, to pay for having been kept back i

lready done, since moving among others who do-she will never look so lovely to me in any other dress, as in those quaint, old-fashioned ones she wore when I learned

bt but they should capture him immediately upon their arrival at Wilde's mill. But upon reaching their destination they could not find him. The men had seen him hovering about the mill, and Pa

lieve, with the officer, that Ben had fled the country and gone off to distant parts; but he could not persuade himself to that effect. He still felt as if the unseen enemy was somewhere near. However, nothing fur

ain-a whole, long month-and then I hope for no more partings. I shall bring Mr. and Mrs. Raymond to the wedding, with your permission," said Philip, with other parting words,

me," growled the raftsman, looking