MY WOODLAND INTIMATES 



across the veranda roof, she brought up at the 

 window-sill with a triumphant flourish of her 

 beautiful tail. First she sampled the entire stock 

 of provisions and then settled down to a feast of 

 those that pleased her best ; after which she picked 

 up all that she could carry and scampered home 

 again. 



It was only late in the afternoon that the snow 

 was firm enough to bear even such a sprite as 

 Madame Jolie-Queue ; and when the sun set, pale 

 green lights appearing among the belts of gold 

 and shafts of flame told of the coming of great 

 cold. And even as I watched the glowing sky 

 delicate little traceries, fairy-like designs, began to 

 creep over my window panes ; miniature trees and 

 vines, flowers and ferns, tropical growths and jun- 

 gle tangles, all done in an exquisite filigree of 

 frost. 



During the day the sleigh-bell tinkle had been 

 of an intermittent order, owing to frequent com- 

 pulsory halts in the soft, deep snow, but at night- 

 fall one continuous merry jingle told of sharp 

 runners gliding smoothly and swiftly over a firm, 

 even surface, while responsive creakings and 

 crunchings from the hard-pressed snow added 

 their testimony to other frosty evidences. 

 [104] 



