Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1892-10-09
THROUGH TIE FURNACE.

Julie. the fires are coming nearer; I
wish You would dismiss school. aud gu to
town with me-I don't like 10 leave YOU
here"
II should he weak minded girl. in
deed, 10 Shut up the school house and
send the children home for a little
smoke. | am in no more danger than
the others"
"But the others are not so dear To- me
You are selfish, and-very prcsum-
ing"
"Oh. very we'll Then may a. well
say good-by."
There was no answer, and for some
moments the two silently stood in the
hazy 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, yet with an unsatisfied, troubled
air, hesitating to do SO; while the young
girl. with her dimpled hands in her
dainty apron Ipckcts, looked proyokingly
indifferent anc pretty.
On the knoll behind them stood low,
log school house-twenty 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, hut succession
uf grassgrown .'swalcs.' - 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 90 the very
school yard. and few struggling trees
overshadowed the humble seminary Of
learning itself.
The horizon was "A woody circle. be-
yond which rolled up dark, ominous
looking clouds great purplish shadows
that filled the heavens. made the air
thick and oppressive, and disguised the
sun itself as a sIllen. overgrown moon.
1t was still early. but there was no
dewy freshness or breezy GOODNESS, moth
ing bright and inygorating. such as a
we'll disposed morning is expected TO
bring; the red glows that had shown OUT
against n starless sky all night had sim
ply paled as the gray light crert on and
turned into black hcaying piles as the
dawn whitrucd the skies.
One or two farmhouscs, with their
small "clearings" attached. winding
road with bushes on either side dropping
over ii, and creeping team in the dis
tance, We're the only signs Of civilization
discerniblc in the monotonons wilder
ness, destined to be more drcary before
the day was over.
"lIave You nothing more to say to me,
Julie:"
Il do not think of anything at pres.
ent." the little teacher said. with agsra.
waiting coolncss.
"Well-you will not so to the party
to-night:'
Il think shall. If you cannot trust
me by myself Mt an ordinary nciglibor-
hood gathering. cannot be worth any
anxiety of mind en- your part.
1T is not that. dear. But | know
those fellows from town too we'll They
intend to come out for the sole purpose
of seeing the pretty little schoolma'am'
and ridiculing the natives, as they say.
You are naturally 30 unsuspecting, SO
sweet and kind in your disposition they
will misunderstood and take advantage
Of what they will term your simplicity.
Ii | come. knowing had not intended
it. they will believe could not trust you.
| cannot endure that they should even
know yon. to laugh and chatter about
YOU for weeks aiterward. To please me,
dear Julie, remain away and disappoint
them.
Yes. and create more wonderment
4 s1nuts = al tksArfh
have promised my simple hearted friends
and pupils TO he 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 tho store To the mercics Of q
green clerk. TO see YOU, and To speak one
word of warning. Give me kind word
before go, and the smile | have dreamed
of for days. to cheer and reassure me.
But Harry SeIden bent in vain to catch @
glance from the deep blue eyes. veiled SC
obs,inately by their long black lashes.
II can stay no longer, Julia. and youl
scholars are coming through the woods
You are not treating me fairly, and will
see it yourself presently" lie pressed
her passive hand, and vaulted into the
saddle.
Good by. II the fires come closely.
dismiss school and 20 home. The Cleaver
place is safe, | think, as there are fields OF
plowed ground round il. Good-hy, dear.
"Good-by, Harry, she si,id, little
more softly: but his restless horse was
claiming his attention, ami soon he was
speeding down the road ike the wind.
Julia Atherton looked after him mo
ment with moisture gathering IN heI
lustrous eyes. The shouts q the chill
dren rang out nearer, and siimmers q
pink calico and blue gingham Peeped
now aud then through the branches
Sentiment and self must be resolutell
put aside.
~ don't care. He had no right 4
suppose | was not able to deal with thos
fops from town. and he should not at
tempt to control my actions.
Nevertheless she was s-sry heavy hearl
sd as rhs turned TO call her little hoc
I