The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-04-26
BESS.

Pausing on the highest point Of the trail,
we peered fearfully down into the dimly Lit
gorge 800 feet below, from which there came
to us faint soundsof life, the barking of dogs
and childs voice raised in shrill halloo. At
this latter sound Bebe raised her small curly
head from Dukes broad breast where it had
rested during the last hour of the toilsome
ascent. The great violet eyes flashed open
AMI gazed down, vainly endeavoring to pierce
the gloom.
"Why, there's child down there, How
can child live in the dark7"
From our elevation we could see, through
cleft in the siorras, flaming streaks of pur-
pie and crimson and gold, and the sun, like
great ball of fire, sinking into the cleaning
waters Of the Pacific. Pressing on, we made
the descent into 'Inferno;" as Duke styled it,
as rapidly as was consistent with the dignity
of our stolid little burros. At every step the
shadows deepened and broadened till at last,
when we were lifted from our saddles, we
could but discern the straight, slim figure of
the doctor, who had preceded us, and pressed
close against his knee the shadowy outlines
of a spritc, fay-clearly something I'M
canny-so small and fral it seemed.
AS the doctor advanced into the mellow
beam of freight which streamed welcoming
ly from tho open kitchen door, the small
shape fitted from him and was swallowed up
in the darkness. He must have seen in
Bebe's wondering eyes the question which
she was to much awe struck to ask, for, as he
lifted her up into the light he said in bis
gentle, tired voice:
sThat was little Bess She and are great
friends"
There was subtle magnetism in the in
expressible sadness which enshroudod this
dark eyed, tender voiced man, that drew to
him the involuntary love and trust of all
helpless, friendless creatures. Young as he
was a great shadow had fallen between him
and the sunlight, whitening his affections,
blighting his ambition. When he left home
to attend lectures in distant city, he was
accompanied by dearly loved friend, one
whom he hoped in the near future to call by
the still dearer title of brother. This friend
fell i'll, and, though after weeks of suffering
he gradually recovered his physical health,
his mental tone seemed to have been weak
ened He became subject to fits of melan
The doctor was with him, but noticed moth
ing unusual till the pistol shot rang through
the room and the lfeless body fell with
dull, heavy thud to the floor. From that
moment he was haunted by the horrible con-
seriousness that if he had been moro watchful
the tragedy might have been prevented. The
poor, half crazed sister of the dead boy re-
fused to see or speak to him again. After Oh
interval of despair he took up the broken
thread of life again. piecing it together with
the harsh, stern lines Of duty in the place of
golden inclination.
After hours Of balmy, refreshing sleep we
awoke to find the sun gliding only the top
most crags, which, like watch towers,
frowned upon us from above the stupendous
walls which on all sides shut in the gorge A
small river tumbled headlong down the rocks,
chatting and fretting mpotently at the huge
powders obstructing its passage to the sea-
Its banks were lined with aromatic bay
which, gently stirred by the breeze, leaned
over and tipped its rich green foliage into the
clear water.
Our idle enjoyment Of the scene was cloud
ed by the appartion of small, scantily clad
Bess, who logged our footsteps and at last,
when we paused crouched at the doctors feet,
looking up into his face with the unsatisfied
questioning of dumb animal. He talked to
her in his sympathetic quiet way till the
thin, grave lips Enclosed, and the little Great
ure told him all that she knew about herself
and the unchildlike life that had been passed
under the shadow Of overhanging mount
aims sudden glow passed over the pallid
face, the large eyes grew eager as she told of
the ono bright day of her life mister Wal
Ter was er-goin down an he let me ride Juni-
ata an then. he TUX me to err show"
The words tumbled over each other In her
haste to tell of the wonders that she saw
When Bebe, finding that they have one sub
ject in common, slipped down TO level with
her, and exhibited great familiarity with the
tricks and antics of the monkey, Bess' surprise
flashed forth: "Was yer thar, an did yer see
meg Being answered in the negative she
won from compliant Bebe promise to ''look
out" for her at the next show.
As the two young faces were upturned w.
could not fail to notice the contrast-the on,
SO full of life and health. with shining hair.
clear, beautiful eyes and blooming cheeks,
SceuuNo IHe very eIllDOulmellC OF sunlight.
the other with pale, drawn features, thin lips
set about with lines of care, straight, du..
white hair and complexion of chalky white,
fit child of Shadow
When we climbed the mountain side to
look over at beautiful fall where droop
ing ferns and clnging lichens hid the rough
walls of rock over which clear water dashed
in silvery spray to loose itself in the dark
pool beneath, the doctor burlened himsal!
with Bess Her rapture was intense though
she only said ut is SO prettyi never saw
1t before" Afterwards she said to Bebe in
whisper; 81 like that man. He takes me to
places" From that hour she became his
shadow, content to be unnoticed if she might
but be near him On the morning of our de
parture the whole camp gathered about to
bid us farewell, but Bess was missing
Search was made in vain for some time
and we were about to ride away, when she
was discovered hidden in clump of bushes
crying as if her heart would break The doc.
tor stopped and kissed the little white quiy
ering face and whispered some words of con.
ISOLATION apparently, for pale, wintry smile
lit up the dull eyes. AS we looked back be
fore taking the turning, which hid the cam,
from view, we caught sight of the measeI
form, its thin dress huttering in the wind,
its tiny arms waving good-by. Poor little