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in search of the boat I had carefully concealed 
in the rank growth of water birch and dwarf 
willows that skirt the river-side. 
It was a delightful twilight when we reached 
the island. Petro was busy attending to the 
live-stock, so we proceeded immediately to the 
house without his knowledge of our arrival. 
Ushering my companion into the cozy sitting- 
room I at once went in search of the old hermit. 
I soon found him in his den gazing lovingly on 
the beautiful picture on the wall. He was 
nervously delighted to see me. 
“You have brought her with you? my Fritz.” 
“Yes, my dear Count, she impatiently awaits 
you in the sitting-room, allow me the great 
pleasure of escorting you into her presence.” 
Trembling with suppressed emotion, my be- 
loved friend descended the stairs with me and 
followed me into the sitting-room. I opened 
the door quietly, and stepped inside, thus al- 
lowing him a full view of the room. The old 
hermit stood motionless on the threshold for a 
moment, then with a wild cry of delight he 
sprang forward toward the young lady who had 
arisen to meet him. 
‘“‘ My child, my precious child.” 
“Oh my papa.” 
These exclamations of inexpressible joy were 
all I heard as I quietly retired leaving father 
and child clasped in each others embrace. I 
leisurely sauntered about the place and finally 
I dropped into the favorite rustic seat back of 
