I'.I.I'IANINC.S IN HI-;!'. ClI/n'Rl'; 



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RlvD was ijrcatly surprised, upon 

 K^'iiiK beyond the clump of syca- 

 mores, to find the doctor -with' his 

 horse and vSam's saddled and bri- 

 dled as if ready for a journey. 



" Why, doctor," exclaimed Fred, as he has- 

 tened forward, "what does this mean? Are 

 we to break camp now and get to Prof. Buell's 

 in the early morning? " 



" Oh! no, Fred. Sam and I thought we 

 would take a little journey on our own ac- 

 count; but first I wish to talk with you;" and 

 the doctor leaned against a sycamore, folding 

 his arms across his breast as though to hold 

 together all of his powers. " I have been 

 thinking nmch of late of my position and con- 

 dition in the world's afFairs. I feel that, at 

 my age, and with my habits of life, it is im- 

 possible for me to conform to the usages of 

 the ordinary so-called civilized community; 

 and, furthermore, I have searched for years 

 for a daughter, and fondly hoped that, when 

 found, I should also find a daughter's love; 

 but, F^red, having found that daughter, I do 

 not find a daughter's love; and I never — no, 

 never — shall. She loves her supposed parents, 

 and, in fact, they are parents to her in all 

 except the matter of birth. To step in now 

 and reveal myself as her father would be a 

 cruel blow to her happiness. Do you see," 

 said the doctor, with greater earnestness, 

 ' ' how her eyes brighten and her face glows at 

 the thought of meeting her parents ? how she 

 thinks our pace slow ? and, had she wings, 

 how she would fly to the home that shelters 

 those she loves? And I, should she know of 

 my relation to her, at the best I should merelv 

 have respect — an uncle's or a cou.sin's love. 

 No, Fred," said the doctor, in a decided tone, 

 " I can endure no second-rate love. The fates 

 have decreed that this should be so, and now 

 I should feel especial dishonor to stand be- 

 tween Alfaretta and those w'hom she holds 

 dear. I can cherish the memory of having 

 found her, and of being instrumental in re- 

 storing her to mental health. And now, FVed, 

 you must know that my plan is to go far from 

 this place, where I can surround my.self again 

 with animal life, and live in quietness. Con- 

 vey to Mr. and Mrs. Buell what I have told 

 you, but never reveal to Alfaretta the relation- 

 ship that exists betw^een us. Let me remain 

 to her as Uncle Ralph. And now, Fred Ander- 

 son, farewell." 



While the doctor was talking, Fred's emo- 

 tions were first suqjrise, then grief; and when 

 the doctor mounted his horse he could scarce- 

 ly control himself. His words of appeal fell 

 upon deaf ears; and finally, as the doctor 



moved off, I'red'.s words uf farewell were 

 broken with sobs of genuine grief, for he had 

 learned to love this unseh':sh man. Sam John- 

 son silently gave a parting hand-shake, and 

 Fred was left alone. 



Slowly returning to the camp-fire he stirred 

 the dying embers to a flame, and sat for a long 

 time musing upon the strange events through 

 which he had passed during the past two 

 years. Sleep did not come to him anv more 

 that night. The coyote set up his indescrib- 

 able yelp not far away, and an owl screeched 

 and screeched in the sycamore-tree, bvit F'red 

 heard it not; he was living in another realm. 

 He arose, finally, and said to himself, as he 

 looked toward 'the little tent, "If I do not 

 soon wnn this woman's love I too will follow 

 Dr. Hayden." 



The little tent soon showed signs of life, 

 and at an early hour Alfaretta emerged from 

 it. She had been informed that she was but 

 half a day's journey from her home, and her 

 excitement increased, and she was impatient 

 to continue the journey. 



Her first comment, upon emerging from the 

 tent, was, " Why, Fred Anderson, how- solemn 

 you appear. You look as though you had 

 lost your best friend." The next moment she 

 said, as she surveyed the camp, " Where is Dr. 

 Hayden ? ' ' 



" If the expression of my face is so .sad that 

 even your presence can not enliven it, ' ' said 

 Fred, " then I will say that we have both lost 

 an excellent friend;" and he related the epi- 

 sode of the night. 



Alfaretta' s surprise was great, and her 

 chagrin greater; "for," .said she, "I had an- 

 ticipated so many pleasant things for him; 

 how full of joy, and how grateful" my parents 

 would have been! and I would always have 

 loved him as my dear Uncle Ralph. But, 

 what a my.sterious man! and, FVed, I dream- 

 ed last night that he looked into my tent'and 

 gazed a long time upon my face, "and then 

 floated away up like a cloud." 



" I reckon yer dream was all true, 'cept the 

 cloud," said Gimp; "furl seed the doctor a 

 looking inter the tent." 



There was not much relish for food that 

 morning, except by Gimp. Camp was broken, 

 the donkeys packed; and as they proceedecl 

 on their way Gimp finished his breakfast from 

 remnants he had tucked into his pockets. 

 Trouble was not allowed to interfere with his 

 gastronomic affairs. 



Alfaretta — how radiantly beautiful she ap- 

 peared! The flush of early morning exercise 

 upon her cheeks, her eyes sparkling with joy- 

 ous anticipation, erect and alert, to Fred's 



