_Let_ the mystery end. They _are_ sisters--though not the children of one mother. They are the daughters of the hunter--the owner of the cabin and clearing--his only children. Happy hunter! poor you may be, and your home lowly; it can never be lonely in such companionship. The proudest prince may envy you the possession of two such treasures--beyond parallel, beyond price! CHAPTER TWO. MARIAN AND LILIAN. Passing outward from the door, the two young girls pause in their steps: an object has attracted their attention. A large dog is seen running out from the shed--a gaunt fierce-looking animal, that answers to the very appropriate name of "Wolf." He approaches the sisters, and salutes them with an unwilling wag of his tail. It seems as though he could not look pleased, even while seeking a favour--for this is evidently the purpose that has brought him forth from his lair. He appeals more especially to the older of the girls--Marian. "Ho, Wolf! I see your sides are thin, old fellow: you want your breakfast! What can we give him, Lil?" "Indeed, sister, I know not: there is nothing for the poor dog." "There is some deer-meat inside?" "Ah! I fear father will not allow Wolf to have that. I heard him say he expected one to take dinner with him to-day? You know who?" An arch smile accompanies this half-interrogatory; but, for all that, the words do not appear to produce a pleasant effect. On the contrary, a shade is observable on the brow of her to whom they are addressed. "Yes, I _do_ know. Well, he shall not dine with _me_. 'Tis just for that I've brought out my rifle. To-day, I intend to make my dinner in the woods, or go without, and that's more likely. Never fear, Wolf! you shall have your breakfast; whether I get my dinner or not. Now, for the life of me, Lil, I don't know what we can give the poor brute. Those buzzards are just within range. I could bring one of _them_ down; but the filthy creatures, ugh! even a dog won't eat them." "See, sister! yonder is a squirrel. Wolf will eat squirrels, I know: but, ah! it's a pity to kill the little creature." "Not a bit. Yon little creature is a precious little thief; it's just been at our corn-crib. By killing it, I do justice in a double sense: I punish the thief, and reward the good dog. Here goes!" The squirrel, scared from its depredation on the corn, sweeps nimbly over the ground towards the nearest tree. Wolf having espied it, rushes after in headlong pursuit. But it is a rare chance indeed when a dog captures one of these animals upon the ground; and Wolf, as usual, is unsuccessful.