Along the park edges the birds and squirrels were holding carnival.

The grass was crisp and bediamonded with sparkling frost.

Tracks of game showed sharp in the white patches.
Wade paused once, listening.

Ah! That most beautiful of forest melodies for him--the bugle of an elk.

Clear, resonant, penetrating, with these qualities held and blended by a note of wildness, it rang thrillingly through all Wade's being.