“I thought I saw that awful beast, just before I reached that place, and fled, not knowing where,” said Julia.

“Did you call, Julia?”

“I had called before that, many times.”

“You were too far to be heard by your father and friends; and I was too late to hear you.  I called several times, when I found the hood.  Of course no answer came, and following the trail where it could be seen, I went on.  I missed it often, and circled about until I found it, or something like it, always bearing away deeper and deeper into the wood.  Then the wind blew awfully, and the snow began to sift down.  My first torch was well burned out, and I knew I had been out some hours.  I lighted the other and went on; soon I struck this creek, and fancied that you, if you had reached it, would follow it down.”

“I did.”

“Soon after, at a soft place where a little branch came in, I found your tracks again, several of them; and I knew I was right, and was certain I should find you.  In my great joy, I thanked God, with my whole heart.  It was storming fearfully; and trees were cracking, and breaking, and falling, in the fury of the wind.  I called, but I knew nobody could hear me a dozen rods away.  It had become intensely cold, and I feared you would become exhausted and fall down, and perhaps perish ere I could reach you.  I hurried on, looked by every tree and log, calling and searching.  I don’t know where I struck the creek, though I knew every rood of the woods:  I am, as you know, a born woodsman, and know all wood craft.  Although I was certain I would find you, I began to grow fearfully anxious, and almost to doubt.  As I went I called your name, and listened.  Finally a faint sound came back to me, and I sprang forward—­when you rose partly up before me.  Oh, God! oh, God!” and his voice was lost in emotion.  “For one moment I was overcome, and did, I know not what, save that I knelt by you and kissed your hands.  Their chilly touch recalled me.  I felt that I had saved you not only for your father and mother, but for your pure self, and to be the bride of some unknown man; and I was resolved that no memory of yours, and no thought of his, should ever occasion a blush for what should occur between us.”

“How noble and heroic you were—­”

“You know all that happened after.”

“And in your anxiety to save me from myself, you would not even let me thank you.  And when I slept, you stole away.”

“What could I do.  Julia?  I had saved you, I had redeemed myself; and found a calm, cold peace and joy in which I could go.  In view of what had happened between us before, how hard and embarrassing for you to meet and thank me, and I feared to meet you.  It was better that I should go, and with one stolen look at your sweet, sleeping face, I went.”

“Arthur, my poor best will I do to repay you for all your pain and anguish.”

“Am I not more than repaid, proud and happy?  It was for the best.  I needed to suffer and work; and yet how blessed to have carried the knowledge of your love with me!”