The Lincoln County herald., 1872-12-11

desperate energy, he dashed through tho
cloeged pa'hs, aud down the rocky canon
bottom.
In the darkness aud the falling snow,
an unfamiliar object doomed up before
him. lie touched it; it was q horse
It's head was buried in he snow, as if in
search of something.
Then, he raised something from the
snow and carried it towards the cabin,
whilo the horse, startled BY the sound Of
an animal bowling. dashed terri6edly
down the canon, aud on into the impenc
trable darkness Of the night.
"A woman ~ broke from McColm's
lips, as he placed his burden on the cabin
floor.
More like body which the breath Of
life was leaving; but an hour later
when the fire had been rebuilt and tho
aperturss admitting the snow to the cabin
had been closed, and tho rescued com
fortably seated in McColm's favori,s
chair before the fire place, woman it
surely was a woman whose magnetic
eyes held him spell bound, and whose
smile had that very day Inspired his
heart with love--ths heroine Of the ad.
venture at tho run!
Her companion, she said, had fallen
over some dangerous height, as, when
the storm began they attempted to reach
some shelter. She thanked him warmly
for his various little acts Of kindness, aud
then with fearful eyes gratefully &c
knowleised his saving her life.
And what did he do ? as heroes usually
do, and claim it was nothing? Not at
ALL Down before her, on one knee he
bent, and lifting his handsome eyes to
hers told her that he loved hor, Told
her that he rather both had perished, she
and himself, than that his love should
find no hope. at is better to tell you
now" he said, "for it will not be so hard
to break away from you week hence,
when We must part, if you do not love
me"
She looked at him in perplczsd dis
may, and repeated his words, "A week
hence ~
"Yes, there is no opportunity Of lsav.
ing here before that time, if the snow
keeps on falling. Do you think you
could love me-ever so little ?
Ever - mush,' she replied.
So, tho night merged into day-the
6rst day of the week, which half spent,
brought thom to the conviction that they
must gain Lacleds or starve.
The canon was river deep with snow,
and the weather had ruled intensely cold
1t was the fourth night of their involun.
tary seclusion in the mountain cabin that
both sat before the fireplace rather
mournful and sad, for on the morrow
McColm was to essay forth for Laclede.
Through the window the moon looked
down, beuignant and gracious, and large
and full, turning the night almost into
bright day.
Finally she arose from his side, and
lay down upon tho Get he had prepared
for her in remote corner Of the cabin.
while he sat thinking by the dying EN-
bers of the fire.
Il knock? Could it be, or was il
some animal, striving to force an en-
trance? Fearless hearted. Farley Nc
Colin unbolted the door quickly.
"Jake Gsrner u
His visitor staggered in, and Aingine
his frost covered burden upon the floor
spoke mover a word, but, with eyes fixed
steadfastly downward, retraeed his steps
to the dosr.
You shall not go!"
mot 60 - and wild glsam shot up
into the miners eyes. leave we'll
enough alone. Farley McColm! have
travelled here from Mixers Corners to
bring you food, for | knew your slender
stock would soon be exhausted. Stand
aside. would pass."
"No! BY tho God who made me, you
shall not pass until ysu tell me for what
reason my best friend has thus gone bach
on me u
"For what reason hear him T. cried
Gerner dscordantly. "Did YOU not stea
her heart from me a? Did you not NEE
h0r in the woods that day? Who's
that?'
Both men turned and looked at Nc
Coins sfiancsd, who disturbed by ths
noise had arisen.
"That, Jake Gerner, is the woman
love-the woman l wsuld make my
wife"
The miner tottered forward, fell into I
chair, and hid his face IN his hands.
~ have bsen fool, he said, finally
sin believing that my truest friend could
rob me of my hearts only treasure.
Forgive me, old boy" be added, tearfully
to McColm.
1t was a natural mistake. they ascer
tanned when they reached Lacleds; fol
Jake Corners idol had intended just ths
same journey th4, Mise Whittlesey had
taken, and bore the same characteristics
As to appearance. Hence the miners
jealousy, believing it was her McColm
had met at the run.
Corners prediction that they might
separate never came true For. although
both welded, together they worked thsl'
little claims, gaining sufficient to enable
them to provide comfortable. happy
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