The cabin of large, peeled, golden oak logs, oiled to preserve them,
nestled like a big mushroom on the side of the hill. Above and behind
the building the trees arose in a green setting. The roof was stained
to their shades. The wide veranda was enclosed in screening, over which
wonderful vines climbed in places, and round it grew ferns and deep-wood
plants. Inside hung big baskets of wild growth; there was a wide
swinging seat, with a back rest, supported by heavy chains. There were
chairs and a table of bent saplings and hickory withes. Two full
stories the building arose, and the western sun warmed it almost to
orange-yellow, while the graceful vines crept toward the roof.
The Girl looked at the rapidly rising hedge on each side of her, at the
white floor of the drive, and long and long at the cabin.
“You did all this since February?” she asked.
“Even to transforming the landscape,” answered the Harvester.
“Oh I wish it was not coming night!” she cried. “I don't want the dark
to come, until you have told me the name of every tree and shrub of that
wonderful hedge, and every plant and vine of the veranda; and oh I want
to follow up the driveway and see that beautiful little creek--listen
to it chuckle and laugh! Is it always glad like that? See the ferns
and things that grow on the other side of it! Why there are big beds of
them. And lilies of the valley by the acre! What is that yellow around
the corner?”
“Never mind that now,” said the Harvester, guiding her up the steps,
along the gravelled walk to the screen that he opened, and over a flood
of gold light she crossed the veranda, and entered the door.
“Now here it appears bare,” said the Harvester, “because I didn't know
what should go on the walls or what rugs to get or about the windows.
The table, chairs, and couch I made myself with some help from a
carpenter. They are solid black walnut and will age finely.”
“They are beautiful,” said the Girl, softly touching the shining table
top with her fingers. “Please put the necklace on me now, I have to use
my eyes and hands for other things.”
She held out the box and the Harvester lifted the pendant and clasped
the chain around her neck. She glanced at the lustrous pearls and then
the fingers of one hand softly closed over them. She went through the
long, wide living-room, examining the chairs and mantel, stopping to
touch and exclaim over its array of half-finished candlesticks. At the
door of his room she paused. “And this?” she questioned.
“Mine,” said the Harvester, turning the knob. “I'll give you one peep
to satisfy your curiosity, and show you the location of the bridge over
which you came to me in my dream. All the remainder is yours. I reserve
only this.”
“Will the 'goblins git me' if I come here?”
“Not goblins, but a man alive; so heed your warning. After you have seen
it, keep away.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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