Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-04-04
Up ROARING FORK.

The suns rays filtered through the
dense foliage OF the trees on the banks
JS Roaring Fork, where that boisterous
stream flowed uoisily over rocks in its
wild haste to unite with the waters Of
the R-d river. The meagre beams OF
sunlight fell gently upon the disheveled
dark locks OF n young girl. She was
seated on the moss-covered, gnaried
roots of a large tree. Her slender,
dark hands held a fshinC-pole steady,
while her large, velvetry dark eyes
we're fastened iutsntly upon the cork
that bobbed up and down on the sur
face OF the stream, in obedience to the
wind that played gently over the Roar
.ng Fork.
Three beautiful specified fish of good
size, now and then made a slight undu-
lation OF the water at her feet, In the
vain effort to free themselves from the
tOrked stick on which she had secured
them.
The girl could not have been more
than sixteen. She was plump in figure,
with good features, and pair of soul
fGl dark eyes. that had a world Of sad
ness in their depths. She WAS dressed
In faded gown Of some coarse blue
out regard To any particular style, past
or present, and fitted her form poorly,
coming only TO her bare brown ankles.
Altogether, she was n wild, dark little
creature, that looked not Unlike a natu.
raj part of that picturesque sylvan
scene round about the Roaring Fork,
AID might have been taken for a larger
sister 10 the beautiful wild flowers
that blOOmed IN such prodigality on its
banks.
A footstep fell on the hearing of the
girl. Size turned her head in the direC-
ton from whence the sound came y
man wa coming towards her. The
girl recognized h m at once and a deep
trown broke the calm of her coInte.
nance.
The man that approached her was a
handsome, devIl-may. care sort of fell
low, thirty-ive years of age or there
abuuts, tall and graceful in manners.
with golden hair and whiskers, and
restless, penetrating eyes of gray. y
somewhat cruel, sIrdonic expression
con tantly lowered around his small
mouth, and, lust now, as he stopped
above her on the bank, 1t seemed to
expand and render his handsome face
more repel,eut to the girl, whose dark
eyes strove to read his thoughts
For several moments he occupied a
graceful attitude on the bank overlook
ing the girls retreat without speaking.
Neither did she utter a word, nor give
any sign that he was near her, other
than 10 tx her woudrous eyes upon him
IN distrust and repulsion-
At length the fellow broke into a
laugh, not pleasant by any means, and
he SAID: "IOu don't like me, Wild
Bird Of the Roaring Fork, do you?"
"You don't reckon l hev any call
ter like ye, do ye, Bert Coles?" she re-
tOrted, her eyes blazing.
"Well. really, now, that is a some
what embarrassing question:" he re-
piled, mocklngly. Il suppose that mis-
souary fool you started to school to
had taught YOU il is a Christian duty 10
love every bldyg'
THAT don't mean fur US ter love
ther ugly dOin's an hoss stealin'. an
whisky smugglin',' - answered the girl,
speaking SLOWLY. The man bit his lips
10 suppress the anger her implied
charges called up, while big tears
welled up In the girl's eyes as she re
memoered the kiEd missionary to
whom she had been sent to shool two
been recalled TO the desihbed of her
mother. She had never returned To
school, deeming It her duty to stay
with her lonely father, in his little
cabin far up the wild Roaring Fork.
Bert Coles evidently deemed it wiSest
to change the subject, for he said:
Vel, Leuita, / can tell you one
thing worth needing. You won't
catch single fish rs long as the wind
bobs your cork that way, if you SIT
there TIL your raven treSses turn white
as those blossoms over yonder," b" and he
laughed again.
You don't know nothIn' erbout il,
Bert Coles" she returned. I've
ketched three already, an another's
been nlbblin'; but your talks sorter
scarf him, guess"
which, I suppose, is a mild hint
mat should either button my lip or
decamp instantly; eh, Lenita2'' he
asked, leaning coolly back against =
iArSe pecan tree that spread its green
branches over the girl, and sent dark
her.
The trees Is better company fur me
an some folks is" replied the girl,
With a fash in her eyes.
thank you" he returned, and his
Augh rang out more pleasantly as he
removed his brOad-bi Immed hat and
sIsceiully ran one shapely white hand
through his golden curls. Your
!u5a9AGess Is quite refreshing, LenIta.
lau l heard more franknesS and less
-aN'ery from your sex years ago,
sut not now be what l am, an out
from Justice, hiding here in the
t1h teu!ah Territory" and the man rested
us Iead against the palm of his hand,
L'e MS thoughts were of his past, Its
ee opportunities, its course OF reck-
.ess dissipation.
Lenila remained silent. Her eyes
,ha ,hluueFed across the Roaring Fork to
OppoSlte bank, where the alder s
s1o"y, udky blossoms nodded TO and
~ Nue warm south wind, aud a red
r. Mn'shed among the branches.
sLe ~ s!Il possessed little learning, but
Nds OF thoughtful turn of mind.
cue looked at the wild flowers, so
MI eino.ems OF purity, and the red
tsrt % Industrious, the secret of con-
M auu happiness, Lenita wondered
az uah, endowed by our Father
rara,e e with so great intelligence, so
r. Possessed the simple purity Of
"uer blooms, and attained to the
happiness Of the bird
- neavy sigh from the man recalled
b' .bs % cue had almost forgotten that
sue was not aloua.
n,,,o.eFe .eFe Is your father to-day. I.e-
~ 'a, -, he asked, after several moments
lie Was at the cabin when come