Connecticut western news., 1890-02-26
DlANA'S LOVE STORY.

often told Adam that our home on the Bald mountain was exactly like living on a solitary island out at sea We were all surrounded with floating wreaths of fog, which looked for all the world like whi ite-capped waves.
 For weeks at 8 time nobody came near us, but l do not mind. The doctors had told Adam that the restora- ton of .his health depended on his living for few years at this high alti- tude. and what sort of a sister should have been to let him stay alone in the little brown cabin. where the smoke from the charcoal pits ascended night and day, as if the place were an extinct volcano, and never had left off . bslchinx Ere and smoke?
 We took turns, Adam and I, like 8 Vigilance committee. 1 worked all day in the little stone-walled garden trying to make the rose bushes and hollyhocks believe they wore down in some sheltered valley. and singing about my little odds and ends of house. work; and when the sunset died away or Bald crag. and the whip-poor-wills began to sing below us, Adam. who had slept all day. sallied out to the charcoal pits to keep his lonely vigil for we were poor people, and had to earn our living as best we could.
 And all went very smoothly until old Uncle Pomp. ths colored man. an- nounced his intention of aband oning the charcoal business.
 'l's gettin' old." said Uncle Pomp, ''an' aiHt neider bald eagle nor yet a Hazard to. lib atop O de mountain no longer. It's too desprit lonesome fur ole Pompr'
 But think what it is for. us," req soned Adam.
 Nous young folks,'' obstinately uttered Uncle Pomp. ''rings is alto gedder different wid yous."
 So we were left alone, which made matters pretty hard for Adam. Mo- body cared to come up Bald mountain if they could possibly make lveli- hood anywhere else.
 But one evening. just as I was get ting ready to take a chicken sandwich and a pal of tea to the charcoal pit for Adams supper, tall, red shirted man came swinging up the stony path to- ward our gate.
 Heard you wanted help up this
 
 way,"l said he, king of his cap and incllning his head not ungracefully.
 My heart leaped within me.
 .Oh," cried I, i've dor'
 "What sort of work is itp' he said, looking curiously around him. .sThere don't seem to be much chance for farming up here. and haven't seen any mill machinery nor shafts for ore."
 ..sfending the charcoal pit, I ex- piained. .'Sit down and rest 8 little, and will show you where my brother is. Will you have a drink of tea and a sandwickp'
 He drank eagerly; he ate as if he had not tacted food for q week. I watched him the while. He was dark, stronS-featured, sinister-looking, with . close. shaved-face. yet felt no sentiment of fear or aversion to him.
 '.Now," he said at last T am ready"
 He tended the fires that night while Adam slept
 ''Can you boarl him, Di?" said Adam.
 ''Why no2 He'd be 8 much pleas anter boarder than Uncle Pomp. Pm sure. said I, laughing. See those beautiful red lilies he has transplanted % carefully into my garden that they hayn'tdrooped a leaf! See the funny lit tie turtle he brought from Black brook for my aquarium. Oh, by the way. no one has told me his name"
 1t is rather an unusual one-Johr Smith," Adam answered."
 What brought him on top of Bald mountaine"
 He was out of work, and heard that I needed a hand up here He is very bright and intelligent and has travelled a good deal. rather like the fellow"
 John Smith remained g. month with us. He did . great deal more than hi: share of the work.
 "Fhe squire isn't over strong" he said. holding toward Adam, "and he ought to be favored. He shall be, a, lougas am here.''
 It W; in the spring of the year, ant John Smith helped me with my little flower garden. He brought home rare birds eggs for my collection; ht evinced knowledge of plants tha quite surprised me on one occasion when we unexpectedly came across rare orchid in the woods
 Il should think you would be goo6 gardner. John,n said I.
 '1 was gardner once. I hai charge of 8 house full of Jamaica ferns, md looked after forcing house for early peaches that brought $1 apiece in market"
 Why did you leave your place?"
 'sOh. for variety of reasons! Lool here, Diana! you've set this lily bull too far in the shade. Bring it for ward little"
 colored a little. felt that per haps had asked an impertinent ques tion. But. after all, he did not seem of tended. because he worked long afte dusk making the border of wild violet for my flower bed. so. that the newl, transplanted roots should get the bene fit of the coming shower that mutteret along the west.
 It was the very next day that Ralp}