Page 161 - Adventures in shadow-land

grees the spots and the stains upon his dress dis­

appeared; and, as they faded away, Aster became
once more his own playful and happy self. Never

before had he been a> gentle or as docile and
affectionate as he now was, though he was very

silent; and Eva thought, could he only be always
as he was now she would be content never to
leave him ; and she began to think, almost with

dread, of their approaching separation.
On and oti they went, till they came to a
place where a tiny spring, bright as a living

diamond, gushed up joyously, singing to itself for
very gladness. Soft green mosses and pure white

flowers grew around it ; and when Aster saw it,
lie sprang forward with a joyous cry, and seating

himself near it, he beckoned to Eva to follow his
example.
Th^n, for the first time since the two had been

together, for he had never before mentioned the
past, so that Eva almost thought lie had forgotten

It, Aster asked her to tell him how she ever had
found him again.

And once more Eva told the story,—this time
to an interested listener,—how, after she missed