Page:Storys (sic) of The wild huntsman.pdf/12

12 full clear notes swelled upon her father's ear, the violence of his passions seemed to subside and sometimes tears would trickle from his eyes.

In this manner they lived till Juliana had the age of sixteen: when, one night in winter, as she sat by a glowing fire, anxiously awaiting her father's return, she fancied she heard a strange voice at the casement imploring shelter. The night was tempestuous—the wind burst with fury through the forest, and the rain fell in torrents, 'It must have been only the whistling of the wind,' thought Juliana, as another blast gushed past the cottage with tremendous violence. A cry, however, mingled with the gale: it was followed by a deep groan of agony and dispair. Juliana hesitated no longer, with trembling hands unbarred the door and gave admittance to a man who staggered into the room, and then fell in a state of utter exhaustion upon the hearth.

The stranger appeared about forty, and his dark brown hair, cleared complexion, and manly features, seemed to distinguish him alike from the ruddy Dane or swarthy Italian. Juliana, however, thought not of his appearance, but, touched with compassion for his sufferings, she presented him with warm wine and other simple food. While she was thus employed, her father entered;