“It was very kind of you to come to my assistance,” said the young girl, giving to the stranger a glance, in which she did not fail to note his graceful bearing. Then, observing the dust upon his garments, she added, “If I mistake not, you’re a stranger to this part of the country?”
“I once knew it well, especially around this place.”
“Indeed!”
“Yes. If I remember right, there was a cabin here—upon the very spot on which your house is now standing. It was inhabited by an old hunter by the name of Rook—Jeremiah or Jerry Rook.”
“That is my father’s name.”
“Then it must have been he. What a change! It was all standing timber around—scarce an acre of clearing.”
“That is true. It is only lately that my father bought the land, and cleared it as you see. We are better off than we were then.”
“Has your father any family besides yourself—a son, or son-in-law?”
“Not any, sir,” replied the young girl, turning upon the questioner a look of some surprise; “I am the only one—his only daughter. Why do you ask?”
“I thought I remembered—or had heard—something—”