of distress in the girl's eyes; but Fritz laughed
aloud.

"Hardship! what is hardship? I know not the name. We can track game
in the forest, and fish the rivers for it. We can make ourselves
fires of sparkling, crackling pine logs; we can slip along over ice
and snow upon our snowshoes and skates, as I have heard them
described, albeit I myself shall have to learn the trick of
them--for we had none such methods in my country, where the cold
could never get a grip of us. Fear not for us, Susanna; we shall
fare well, and we shall do the work of men, I trow. I am weary
already of the life of the city; I would go forth once more to my
forest home."

There was a sparkle almost like that of tears in the girl's eyes,
and a little unconscious note as of reproach in her voice.

"That is always the way with men; they would ever be doing and
daring. Would that I too were a man! there is naught in the world
for a maid to do."

"Say not so," cried Fritz, taking the little hand and holding it
tenderly between his own. "Life would be but a sorry thing for us
men were it not for the gentle maidens left at home to think of us
and pray for us and welcome us back again. Say, Susanna, what sort
of a welcome will you have for me, when I come to claim it after my
duty is done?"

She raised her eyes to his, and the colour flooded her face.

"I shall welcome you back with great gladness of heart, Fritz, and
I shall pray for you every day whilst you are away."

"And not forget me, even if other fine fellows of officers, such as
we begin to see in our streets now, come speaking fine words to
you, and seeking to win smiles from your bright eyes? You will keep
a place in your heart still for the rough Ranger Fritz?"

Susanna's eyes lighted with something of mischievous amusement, and
then as she proceeded grew more grave and soft.

"My good mother will take care that I have small converse with the
gay young officers, Fritz. But in truth, even were it not so, I
should never care for them, or think of them as I do of you. You
are facing perils they would not. You are brave with the bravery of
a true hero. It is with the Rangers of the forest that my heart
will go. Be sure you break it not, Fritz, by too rashly exposing
yourself to peril."

"Sweetheart!" was his softly-spoken answer; and Susanna went to her
bed that night with a heart that beat high with a strange sweet
happiness, although the cloud of coming parting lay heavy upon her