The Lady of the Forest: A Story for Girls

“Rupert, I must. Tell me about yesterday. Are all the links complete? Is it quite, quite certain that you are the heir?”

“Yes, quite – even the tankard has been found. Mrs. Lovel – the lady of the forest, you remember – her servant picked it up and gave it to us last night.”

“Did she?” answered Phil. “I thought I had lost it in the bog. It fretted mother. I am glad it is found.”

“And do you know that the lady is Rachel’s and Kitty’s mother?”

“Oh, how nice! How glad Rachel will be, and Kitty too! Isn’t God very good, Rupert?”

“Yes,” answered Rupert in a strong, manly young voice.

“Rupert, you’ll be sure to love Aunt Grizel, won’t you?”

“Yes, yes. I wish you wouldn’t talk so much, little chap; you look awfully ill. Do let me carry you home.”

“No; let me rest here on your shoulder. Rupert, there is another lady of the forest. Rachel’s and Kitty’s mother is not the only one. I saw her in a dream. She is coming to me to-day; she said so, Rupert.”

“Yes.”

“I have suffered – awfully; but God has been very good – and I shan’t suffer any more – I’m so happy.”

“Dear little chap!”

For about ten minutes the boys were silent – Rupert afraid to move, his little cousin rapt in ecstatic contemplation. Suddenly Phil roused himself and spoke with strength and energy.

“The lady is coming,” he said – “there, through the trees! I see her! Don’t you? don’t you? She is coming; she will rest me. Oh, how beautiful she is! Look, Rupert, look!”

But Rupert could see nothing, nothing at all, although Phil stretched out his arms and a radiant smile covered his worn little face.

Suddenly the arms fell; the eager words ceased; only the smile remained. Rupert spoke, but obtained no answer.

A little face, beautiful beyond all description now – a little face with a glory over it – lay against his breast, but Phil himself had gone away.

That is the story. Sad? Perhaps so – not sad for Phil.

THE END