68 Lily and Water-Lily.

 

It was only a very little shower—heavy while it
lasted, but soon over—and when Ruby rubbed his
eyes and sat up, the moon had sailed out from behind
the rain-cloud, and was shining down as sweetly as
ever upon the world.

He looked about him at first still drowsily, and
not caring to rouse himself further. But presently
he noticed that Pearl was not lying by his side, as
she had always lain when he slept down here in the
valley ; and then suddenly his dream flashed across
his memory.

He leapt to his feet, all the drowsiness dropped
from him, and he ran back along the valley as hard
as he could run. .

What was it that he saw?

At the foot of the great rock, full in the rays. of
the moonlight, lay Pearl, still and senseless, all her
golden hair spread out beneath her head, her soft
limbs powerless and her face white as the moon itself.

Ruby’s heart froze within him—and he did not dare
approach her.