THE GOLD OF FAIRNILEE. 283

 

Jean paused a few moments, and then struck
into a green path which led through the wood.
The path wound beneath dark pines; their top-
most branches were red in the evening light,
but the shade was black beneath them. Soon
the path reached a little grassy glade, and there
among cold, wet grasses was the Wishing Well.
It was almost hidden by the grass, and looked
very black, and cool, and deep. A tiny trickle
of water flowed out of it, flowed down to join
the Yarrow. The trees about it had scraps of
rags and other things pinned to them, offerings
made by the country people to the spirits of
the well.

Ig *