The Gentle Savage

as about to spring in. " You are right good," he managed to stammer as he sank back beside the banker. " A ride among these glorious mountains is a pleasure." " Yes. The horses are wild for exercise, and we will drive up the valley toward Lauterbrunnen, and then return to the hotel for lunch. I am quite alone to-day, and shall be glad of company at my frugal meal. My wife and daughter have gone with some friends on an excursion to Meiringen, and I have just been to escort them to tho boat on the Lake of Brienz. You know the Lake of Brienz ?how placidly beautiful it is." " It is charming," said Pleasant. His gaze fell on the shawl once more, and a shadow flitted over his face. "And the valley of Meiringen is a paradise on earth. But there are more beautiful paradises than even Meiringen in the Indian Nation, sir ! Great valleys hemmed in on either side by mountains green to their very tops, and watered by streams more lovely, sir, than any that I have seen in Switzerland. And such luxuriance of vegetation and such game! Why, sir, when I was a child I rarely went into the woods without starting a deer. And what is there in the world more beautiful than a deer when he springs out of his cover and stands palpitating with fear and wounded dignity, staring at an intruder ? What have they done with all the game in Switzerland? The country should be full of it." The banker eyed Pleasant closely. The young man's enthusiasm was not assumed; it was natural and pleasing...