The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-05-07


lost in delight to everything around
her.
In happy unconsciousness of impend-
ing danger. she spent the hours of the
long summer forenoon. until her father
called. Christine. Christine." and,
gathering up her woodland treasure,
she approached within eaay speaking
distance.
What do you want, papa" she an
swered.
1T is nearly noon, and when finish
this tree, we'll have dinner. Take the
pail and 60 down that path until Won
come to spring. Fill the pail with
water AMI hurry back"
Following the direction indicated by
her father. Christine took the pail and
was soon lost to sight in the narrow
sinuous path.
Carl OLSON resumed his labor, and
when the tree ut length lay across its
fallen follows. stood We itching to obtain
q glimpse Of Christines coming.
What can keep Christine SO long?"
he said aloud. 1T is not like the child
to loiter So"
The spring was soEae quarter Of . mile
distant. but the path was direct, and
there was no occasion for any straying
from il, or this unusual delay; and after
waiting several minutes longer, with q
half impatient frown her father started
after her.
Not meeting her ut the turn of the
path Is fully expected, he quickened
his step; and when he neared the spring
aud still saw no signs Of her coming, an
anxious fear aroused HIM and he shout
cd christine! Christine" But no an
swering voice responded.
With rapid strides lie reached the
spring and found she was not there.
He saw her footprints in the moist
earth around the water but could trace
no marks of return.
Thoroughly alarmed, he began to
search the woods in every direction,
calling in frantic tones his daughters
name.
"Oh, God, care for and protect my
child" he cried. in his helpless agony.
as, with such feeling of desolation and
sorrow rs comes to those who turn from
the grave of loved ono, he left the
forest, knowing that his child. if she
had not been already devoured by some
wild beast, was suffering and helpless
in its dark depths.
How weary seemed the homeward
way, he thought Of the sorrowful news
he was carrying to the watching moth
err.
"Ah, here comes Carl" she said, as
she saw her husband appearing IN the
distance. "How tired he is, for his
stepis so slow! but do not see Chris
tine. The poor child has grown weary
and fallen behind"
As Carl OLSON drew near, something
in his troubled face and Respondent air
caused the shadow OF great fear to fall
upon the mothers heart. What has
happened, where is Christine?" she
called out sharply.
In broken, half-choked words, he told
the story. She had gone at noon to the
spring for water; she did not come back,
and he went to look for her; she had
gone-lost in the woodland he knew
not where to find her.
"Oh, Christine, my childi On, why
did let her go?" was the agonized cry
that came from the mothers pallid lips.
"God rules" was the almost stern
and reverent reply of Carl OLSEN. But
our neignbors must be told, and we
will search for her in the morning."
Hurriedly drinking o cup of strong
coffee-the lunch had gone untasted-
Carl OLSON set forth to arouse the col.
Ony.
Messengers were sent in every direc-
ton, and the news spread rapidly from
cabin to cabin. christine OLSON is lost
in the woods! Search must be made for
her in the morning. Meet at Olsson's
house at SUNRISE"
But what had caused this sudden and
mysterious disappearance of Christine?
Following the narrow path crushing
with light step the leaves that strewed
the way, without any thought of i'm
pending danger, she reached the spring
that gushed ont, sparkling and bright
from little hillside, and, as she stopped
by the side of its cool, green margin to
fiji her pail with water, she bestowed n
coquettish glance upon the flushed
cheeks and bright eyes reflected upon
its surface.
As she turned to retrace her steps, q
low deep growl sounded near her; and
she beheld in great alright an eror-
nous bear with a cub beside her direct
ly in the path and not but a few feet
away.
Again the bear uttered her low angry
growl and her small eyes snapped vi
cously as she looked at Christine, who,
with frightened scream, turned and
fed into the woods behind the spring.
On she went in her mad Aight, across
fallen trees and through dense under
brush, the sharp thorns and cruel
branches tearing her face and hands in