“Yes; but it was evidently not your fate to die by the claws and teeth of the bear.”
“What will my fate be?” said the girl, reflectively.
“A bright and happy one, I hope,” replied Winthrop. “I am sure that you deserve none other.”
“Ah!” said the girl; “but we do not get our deservings in this world.” As she spoke she sat down upon a rock that cropped out of the ground, and looked up into the face of the young man with her clear, bright eyes. In his heart Winthrop thought that he had never seen such clear, innocent eyes before.
“You should get yours,” replied Winthrop, “or else there isn’t any justice in this world.”
“I hope so,” said Virginia, half-sadly.
“How beautiful the forest is!” said the young man, glancing around him; but in his heart he thought the fair girl at his side was far more beautiful than any of her surroundings.
“How do you like our home by the banks of the Ohio?” asked Virginia.
“So well that I think the rest of my life will be spent in yonder settlement,” replied Winthrop, quickly.
“Oh, I’m so glad of that!” The tone of the girl showed that the words came directly from her heart. A warm flush came over the face of the young man as the words fell upon his ears.