The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-27
IN THE NORTH WOODS.


stood two mountain ponies bridled and
saddled.
The hotel stood on ridge between two
mountain ranges, with the valley of the
Cartecay before it. widening as it extended
to the south, where mountains rose peak
above peak until they seemed lost in the
clouds, and deep ravine behind it. 1t
was early. The chill of night still
gave frosty, biting tinge to the
air and dew hung heavy on grass and leaf.
The sun was Just rising above Mount
Aaron, and the mists hanging over the
Cartecay river were changing their leaden
hues to violet and rose. Light, ragged
clouds were flying across the sky from the
west and over the southern ranges hung
"thnnder-heads," these forerunners of
summer storms.
To the city girl, whose eyes were weary
with the heat and dust of streets, the scene
held ineffable charm. She and two other
ladies at the hotel had planned little
excursion over the mountains, but the
man they had engaged to act as guide had
fallen ill during the night, and her friends
had gone to consult the hotel-keeper about
a substitute. The three came out to-
gether-Miss Dering, the elderly spinster,
with Mrs. Walker, a stout little widow.
Mr.. Sanford had the confused look of a
man just reused from sleep.
"Well, what are we to dor" said Rosa
mond, impatiently.
''Mr. Sanford has sent for another
guide" said Mrs. Walker.
Not guide, ladies, but a young man
who sometimes takes the place of one to
oblige me-" said the hotel-keeper. HE is
no ordinary mountaineer, but he lives
about two miles away, with his mother and
sister on farm. If he is not busy he will
be here in short time"
The sun rose higher and the rosy mists
melted away before it, The air grew mild
and Miss Dering's thin, wrinkled face
looked less blue and pinched. She joined
Rosamond in her promenade.
~ fear your handsome habit will be
spoiled today" she said, with an admir-
ing glance at the slender, well-clad figure
at her side. "They tell me it is very
rough over these mountains, merely
bridle-path in some places"
~ have another" said Rosamond, care
lessly. She was gray-eyed, hght-haired
girl of twenty-slx or seven. Her fair skin
was slightly sunburned, few freckles
marking the upper part of her face, and
across her straight, delicate nose. She
was erect in figure, graceful, and full of
ardent life and vitality. She was self
willed and strong in her feelings. Few
came within range of her influence but
felt its subtle force. Miss Dering admired
her intensely and always bent meekly to
her superior will. They paused by the
piazza steps, and as they did so two men
came around the corner of the house-the
groom and stranger. Rosamond stared
at him in establishment. She thought
that she had never seen so noble figure,
30 handsome a head and face. He stepped
with long strides, his broad shoulders
thrown superbly back. He took off his
hat as he approached the ladies, his black
hair curling about his brown and strong,
full neck. He did not appear to be over
Is or 80 but stray threads of gray cleaned
here ana there in his hair and short, dark
beard. His clothes We're homespun and
loosely fitting, the humble garb of a
farmer, but that stalwart, we'll knit frame,
that face cast iii such fine lines OF beauty
needed not the dignity of tailor-made gar
ments Mr.. Sanford introduced him to
the ladies.
"Mr. Gabriel Lawrence" he said, with a
vague wave of his hand.
80 glad you came, said Mrs Walker,
busting forward. I'VE hired only two
ponies because they say it is best to ride
and tie, and one is glad to walk a little
OCCASIONALLY"
And We have made no provisions for
you. Mr.. Lawrence" Rosamond remarked.
He looked at her smiling.
"a days tramp viii be mere childs play
TO me, " he said, simply.
1t was day Rosamond Frances held
long and vividly in her memory. Gabriel
Lawrence was anew and singularly faScina-
ting type of man to her. She walked
more than either of her companions and
lar him falE IN hpr a bpt,t ha
he was thorough woodsman, though not
born TO the life. A thousand things of
beauty and interest appealed to his eyes
that she could not see, and none of the
wild creatures of the forest seemed afraid
OF him. The cattle grazing on the rich
grasses crowded about him begging for
salt. and the wild, shy colts came trisking
mp to him. He had a simplicity OF man
ner belonging to a strong, self-forgctfui
nature, and his watchtul care seemed to
eGrrouud Rosamond with q feeling OF Sc
curity delightful to the last degree. She
felt sure that it was not in the world of
ordinary men that he had learned to be so
chivalrous toward women,
At noon they were on the summit of
Great Bald mountain. one OF the highest
peaks OF North Georgia, but rain clouds
were rapidly gathering and after A hasry
luncheon they started on their return.
Through the silence could be heard the
roar of wind in the valleys below. The
forest grew darker and darker; suddenly
the tempest burst upon them. Trees
rocked in the wind, and lightning played
In blush flames around them, the very
clouds seemed to descend in drenchinc
masses. Miss Dering, slipping Imply to
the ground and yielding the care OF her
pony 10 Gabriel. crouched under her
Waterproof A vivid flash of lightning
spread around them. giving strange,
lurid tint 10 the underbrush, the grasses
and flowers. Gabriel saw Rosamond S
pony leap forward. then rush away down
the mountain, riderless, the sound OF his
stumbling steps echoing through the roll
of thunder. The women shrieked and hid
their faces. but he ran TO the PROSTATE girl
care you hurt? | thought you were
killed. Oil what narrow escape, he
cried, as he snatched her mp and found
that she was conscious.
II think that / am all right. she said
In a dazed, trembling tone. What fear
mi crash. l don't blame the pony for
running away"
Gahriels face was still hlanched with
fear. Rosamond withdrew from his sup
port and called TO her friends. The storm
vas over in few minutes. and as they
had only one horse lett they fastened on
as rapidly as possible. The two elder
women took turns riding, RoSamond de
clarei that she could walk sll the way,
he carried out her word with good dea