uilt like the others of logs, two
stories in height, and containing a number of rooms. The single flight
of stairs, opening just within the porch, was exceedingly rude, and
built without any protecting rail. I hesitated a moment when fairly
within the entrance, scarce knowing which way to turn in search of what
I sought; but as I waited there, a light step sounded upon the bare
floor above, and glancing up, with quickened beat of the heart, my eyes
caught the soft drapery of a woman as she stepped on the upper stair.

I could scarcely have retreated had I wished to do so, though I
realized instantly who it was, and drew back against the wall, so that
she came down, singing lightly to herself, without noticing my presence
until we were face to face. It was a picture to touch the heart of any
man, and abide forever in the memory. I saw the sunlight as it
streamed through an upper window along the rough log wall and flecked
her white dress with ever-changing spots of quivering gold, and, as she
drew nearer to my standing-place, played softly amid the masses of her
dark-brown hair, giving it a tinge of glory. How daintily fair she
was! how archly sweet looked the clear girlish face under the
coquettish sweep of the broad hat! and with what unconscious grace she
moved down the rude stairway, one white hand steadying her against the
brown logs, the other gathering her draperies so close that I could not
be blind to the daintily slippered foot that shyly peeped below the
petticoat of ruffled silk. I may not have loved her then as I learned
to do in later days, but my heart throbbed riotously at her presence,
and I stood forgetful of all else.

As she turned aside at the foot of the stairs, she saw me, and the
color deserted her face, only to return instantly in deeper volume,
while her tell-tale eyes hid themselves behind long lashes.

"And are you indeed returned, Master Wayland?" she asked quickly,
conquering her first emotion with a proud uplifting of her head. "You
surprised me greatly. I think I first mistook you for a ghost come
back to haunt me for having despatched you on so perilous a quest. You
cannot know how I have been scolded for doing such a thing; yet surely
you would have gone, even if I had failed to encourage it."

"Perhaps so, Mademoiselle," I answered, hoping I might lead her to
speak with greater seriousness; "but it was the hope of the reward that
spurred me forward."

"Ah, of course," she