Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-06-06
THROUGH TIE FURNACE.

aJulie the fires are coming nearer; /
uish you would dismiss school, and 20 to
toen with mel don't like to leave you
here"
81 should be a weak minded girl, in
deed, to shut up the school house and
send the children home for a little
enoke. am in no more danger than
the others
"But the others are not so dear to me. :"
"You are selfish, and-yery preaum-
Ing"
"oh, very we'll Then I may as well
say good-by'"
There was no answer, and for some
moments the two silently stood in the
bazy September sunlight, with the dull
mists and strange quiet all about
them. The young man, dark eyed.
handsome and strong, held his horses
bride in his hand, ready to leap into the
SADDLE. vet with an unsatisiicd, troubled
air. hesitating to do So while the young
rirl, with her dimpled hands in her
dainty apron pockets. looked provokingIy
Indifferent and pretty.
On the knoll behind them stood low.
log school house--twcnty years ago log
houses were no novelty in northwestern
Ohio-and back of that "the erik, ="
which was creek only in wet seasons,
and at others, as now, but a succession
of grassgrown ''swales, sleeping in the
drv heat. with SANDY desert" appear
ance On three sides the low oak woods.
with their dead looking branches and
curled up leaves, came down to the very
school yard and few struggling trees
oyershatlowed the humble seminary of
learning itself.
The horizon was a woody circle be-
rond which rolled up dark, ominous
boxing clouds-great purplish shadows
that filled the heavens. made the air
thick and oppressive. and disguised the
sun itself as u sullen, overgrown moon.
1t was still carly, but there was no
dewy freshness or breezy GOODNESS, moth
ing bright and invigorating, such as
well disposed morning is expected to
bring; the red glows that had shown our
against Il starless sky all night had sim.
ply paled as the gray light crept on and
turned into black, heaving piles as the
One or two farmhouses, with their
small 'clearings' attached, a winding
road with bushes on either side dropping
over 1t, and creeping team il the dis
lance, were the only signs IF civilization
discernible in the monotonous wilder
ness, destined to be more dreary before
the day Was over.
Have YOU nothing more to say to me,
JulieJ'
81 do not think of anything at pres
ent," the little teacher said, with agra
yating coolness.
"Wcll-you will not go to the party
tonight"
Il think shall. If you cannot trust
me by myself at an ordinary nei-hbor-
hood gathering, cannot be worth any
anxiety of mind On your part.
1T is not that, dear. But l know
those fellows from town too well. They
intend to come out for the sole purpose
Of seeing the pretty little schoolma'am
and ridicuing the natives as they say.
You are naturally so unsuspecting, so
sweet and kind in your disposition they
will misunderstood and take advantage
of what they will term your simplicity.
If | come, knowing | had not in;ended
it, they will believe could not trust you.
| cannot endure that they should even
know YOU. 10 laugh and chatter about
you for weeks afterwurd. To please me,
dear Julie, remain away and disappoint
them
Yes. and create more wonderment
and expostulations than it is all worth. |
have promised my simple hearted friends
and pupils to be present, and shall go,
and don't care for your town compan-
ions, or--for you either.
You do not mean that, surely. Come,
Julia, have ridden five miles this morn
ing, left the store to the mercies Of a
green clerk. to see YOU, and to speak one
word of warning. Give me Il kind word
before 20, and the smile have dreamed
Of for DAYS, to cheer and reassure me,
But Harry Selden bent in vain to catch a
glance from the deep blue eyes, yelled so
ohstinately by their long black lashes.
Il can stay no longer. Julia, and your
scholars are coming through tine woods
You are not treating me fairly, and viii
see it yourself presently" He pressed
her passive hand, and vaulted into the
saddle.
Good-by. If the fires come closely,
dismiss school and go home The CieaYer
place is safe, l think, as there are fields OF
plowel ground round it. Good-by, dear.
"Good-uy Harry she said, little
more softly; but his restless horse was
Claiming his attention. and soon he was
Speeding down the road like the wind.
Julia Alhcrton looked after him mo-
ment with moisture gathering in het
lnstrouS eyes. The shouts OF the chill
dren rang out nearer. and ghmmers OF
pink caIico and blue gingham peeped
now and then through the branches
Sentiment and self must be resOlutely
put aside.
Il don't care. He had no right tC
suppose | was not able to deal with thos'
Tips from town, and he should not at
Tempt to control my actions
Nevertheless She was very heavy heart
h as she turned to call her little ilocl
together, AS the day advanced the all
grew more dense and sultry; the who'll
eKy was dark, and the sun rode through
Hhke duh red ball, wtile the smell o
turning leaves and wood overpowere'
ule faint marsh and forest nerfumes. Tn
openings fires We're spreading rapidly
AT that time there We're miles and mile
v III i Il Z i frsnr