The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-12-14
OUR STORY TELLER.
THEMYsTERY OF THE MOUNTAINS.
Montpelier Patriot.]

All along tuc luouhlaih LII POooiu
ble"
"Jack, you see those deer-skins lying
here on the groundT'
"That's what should call them with
out further examination"
Just as distinctly as you see thesn
! saw footprints all along the mountai
side, and up to the very fountain-hea
of little stream that flows gently dow
through yonder valley"
"a woman's footprints, did you sayT'
eyes, woman's, small and beauti-
fully formed"
"Some of those lowland berry girls,
in search of blackberries.
"That is good logic, Jack, but don't
see it in that light. In the first place,
there are no blueberries within three
miles of the mountain; in the second,
no girl, unless lost, would venture SO
far alone into the dense forest"
Every strange, indeed!"
Tomorrow, if you have no objec-
tions, I'll go up, and we will investigate
this mountain nymph's footprints. And
who knows but we may catch the fairy
creature by some of those little cascades,
her dainty feet buried in the white
foam, combing down her long, dark
tresses?"
"Now, Harry, to tell the truth, I'd
sooner expect to find a meeting house up
there than woman. Were the tracks
newly nader
Yes; it had rained very hard only
yesterday, and the swollen stream had
washed the sand over the ground in
many places. They were made after
the rain"
Now, Harry, amt you mistaken
Were they not deer tracKsW
Perhaps; if she is as beautiful as
her footprints, she must certainly be
somebody's DEAR
Have it your own way, Harry, only
give us a light for this Havana, and
call it even"
The two speakers in the above con-
versation were Jack Danforth and Harry
Littleton, two college students spending
their vacation in the quiet town of Ems
dale, long noted for its wild, romantic
scenery, and rich hunting-grounds
The beautiful level surface of the town
from a distance, resembled a pretty
green footstool for the proud old noun
tain towering above it.
Harry's handsome face Of late was
often marred with sad expression, &
look of inquiry that none could read
Perhaps he was not feeling we'll sac
news from home, or likely enough hi
had not revealed all he had seen on tn,
mountain. Jack was all life and jollity
ready to find or make fun out of ever,
thing that came along.
Hunting and fishing holds an endles
charm few can understand so well a
the young student just from the school
room.
With the additional excitement, thi
last excursion was doubly interesting
They took an early start next morning
with knapsacks, guns, and three days
rations. Long ere the sun had with
drawn its long, golden fingers tina
pointed in here and there, through tn
heavy tree-tops, dropping bits Of gol'
and sapphire over the beautiful moss,
surface beneath, Jack was fully con
WINGED of the truthfulness of Harry
statement. They even found pieces o
fabric clinging to the underbrush il
several places. Once, where the cart
had been removed in search of ground
nuts, they saw distinctly the print of
woman's hand.
Through all the pleasant month o
October, Jack and Harry fshed tn
mountain streams, trapped the careles
bruin, shot the gentle deer, but coul'
never solve the mystery of the mountain
The last day came, and lovelier on
none need ever ask for. Indian summe
had bound with spell, and emptie,
her walls of beauty over earth and sky
blending them together in one grea
whole. A day when flowers nod an
smile at every passer-by, when hasteI
ing brooks tell tales and laugh, and al
the leaf spirits silently commune on
with another, and the heart of man
filed with joy and love and praise t
the God of nature for life ard all il
surroundings.
Jack and Harry were not blind to a
this loveliness, and concluded to leav
the mountain early in the day and er
joy the open field scenery. They wer
to separate and leave the mountains i
two different directions. Just befor
starting they built fire at the foot of
ledge, roasted their fish, ate their har
biscuit, lighted their cigars, and sprawle
out, boy fashion, on the ground.
The smoke soon wreathed about thei
heads, curled, and rolled off and u
among the trees. Harry gave an extr
puff, raised his eyes to watch it mour
the air, when he caught glimpse of til
most beautiful face he had ever seeI
gazing down upon them from the pc
pendicular rock some forty feet direct
above them.
By Jove, Jack, look upw
Good Heavens, Harry, who, an
what, and where did she come from ?"
O. We must know, we must find he
Nymph OR maiden, that was too fair
face for this wild place."
They clambered up the ragged rocl
with all possible speed until the
reached the summit. No one there, I
trace-yes, here across bed of fin
damp moss are the selfsame footprint