Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-06-30
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M0UN 7 AIN
DREAM.
BY JOSEPHINE A. BOWEN.
CHAPTER III.
6 Well, she came, of course

ment that she left. | called myself
an idiot and tired to shake myself
into reason and common sense, but
it was Of no use. That sweet, pa
thetic little face haunted me, and !
was in fever of impotence to see
her again.
Well, about noon of the asxt day
she came, as before, with her dog by
her side. 1t was more iika dream
than reality, she -. little like
other girls.
81 am glad that you have Gomez"
I said, quietly, "and 1 am gong to
ask you to unbraid your hair and
let it fall over your shoulders will
you 7"
Without reply she united the rib
bon, slowly unbranded and shook
loose her wonderful hair. 1t fell
around her like shadowy mist, and
so etherealized her that I began to
doubt whether she we're mere hui
man child, or | the victim of a hall
Inclination.
began to outline M picture, but
decided, as much as ] love a good
dog, to leave hers out and make an
after study of him to please his little
mistress; for wanted that face,
with its pensive lips and wonderful
veil of hair, to be what it has s:rce
become-a mountain dream.
She came day after day, always
gliding in and loosening her hair
without further request from me !;
and she glided as silently into my
heart.
In ten days time I knew that |
loved her better than my own life !;
that | would protect and defend her
with my last drop of blood.
We had talked but little all this
time. l bad asked her if she was
missed at home, and she said that
her father was away and that Man.
nella had some Mexicans visiting
her; "and 1 think they are glad to
have me away she said, shut they
quarrel terribly, and although l
can't understand all they say I think
they are talking about me-"
Here was danger. What step
should I take? Should / ask this
child to fly with me? Never! Bet
ter death for both Of us than Gishor-
or for her.
The sensorious would never have
believed that I would have died to
keep my Dream, as I called her in
all my thoughts, pure and innocent,
until the time came when she could
"lay her sweet hands in mine ard
trust to me-"
Should go to this nest of Mexi-
can cutthroats and boldly declare
myself her lover, claiming the right
to protect her, and trust to fate
Most likely the result of such step
would be death for me and worse
than death for her. No, must take
care of myself for her sake. To 90
to her father was impossible. He
was fugitive from justice-perhaps
swinging from some impromptu gall
lows in gorge or canyon. l had no
friends in all the great northwest to
aid me. | must act alone-but
how ?
The picture vas nearly finished.
You have seen it Jim-the sweet pa
thos of the face, the mystic eyes, the
cloud of shadowy hair, the form half
yelled in mist, the background
faint vision of the mountains. / was
satisfied. 1t must have been an in
SEPARATION ; it was the inspiration of
loye-for to save my mortal soul /
could no more paint such picture
now than | could bring the dead to
life. She looked upon it as a mira
Gle, and upon me as the followers of
Christ may have looked upon him.
All this time no word of love had
passed my lips. | must see my way
clearly before | spoke, and I waited
and pondered. Did it never occur
to me that she might be followed
and watched
Yes, had thought OF that, but
this cabin, as you may have observed
commands view of miles. / had
watched her going and coming after
the first few days.
l could see the little figure far
away as it advanced in coming or
faded in the distance when she de-
parted, and always she seemed IN
molested-and with her faithful
guardian By her side | trusted that
she was safe.
| That smoke gets into my eyes
Jim. What do you say Tears
Well, ! am not ashamed OF them
| pnrhe.,r 49,. ..s..11 a