hosen the step-off for her trysting-place
because of its seclusion, and partly, perhaps, for the sake of its
beauty. She and Dic could be seen only from the opposite side of the
river, and she thought no one would be hunting at that time of the year.
The pelts of fur-giving animals taken then were unfit for market.
Venison was soft, and pheasants and turkeys were sitting. There would be
nothing she would wish to conceal in meeting Dic; but the instinct of
all animate nature is to do its love-making in secret.

"Oh, Dic," said the girl, after they were seated on a low, rocky bench
under a vine-covered redbud, "oh, Dic, I did so long to speak to you
last night. After what happened night before last--it seems ages ago--I
have lived in a dream, and I wanted to talk to you and assure myself
that it is all true and real."

"It is as real as you and I, Rita, and I have brought you something that
will always make you know it is real."

"Isn't it wonderful, Dic?" said the girl, looking up to him with a
childish wistfulness of expression that would always remain in her eyes.
"Isn't it wonderful that this good fortune has come to me? I can hardly
realize that it is true."

"Oh, but I am the one to whom the good fortune has really come,"
replied Dic. "You are so generous that you give me yourself, and that is
the richest present on earth."

"Ah, but you are so generous that you take me. I cannot understand it
all yet; I suppose I shall in time. But what have you brought that will
make me know it is all real?"

Dic then brought forth the ivory box and held it behind him.

"Oh, what is it?" cried the girl, eagerly.

"Give me your hand," commanded Dic. The hand was promptly surrendered.

"Now close your eyes," he continued. The eyes were closed, very, very
honestly. Rita knew no other way of doing anything, and never so much as
thought of peeping. Then Dic lifted the soft little hand to his lips,
and slipped the gold band on the third finger.

"Oh, I know what it is now," she cried delightedly, but she would not
look till Dic should say "open." "Open" was said, and the girl
exclaimed:--

"Oh, Dic, where did you get it?"

Bear this fact in mind: If you live among the trees, the wild flowers,
and the birds, you will always remain a child. Rita was little more than
a child in years, and I know you will love Dic better because within his
man's heart was still the heart of his childhood. The great oak of the
forest year by y