Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-07-07
M0U N TAI N.
DREA NJ.
by JOSEPHINE A. BOWEN.
CHAPTER III.

But let us come back to the
mountains. Here we had none of
this, but instead the indescribable
colors Of the great range, the golden
splendor of the sun shining through
an atmosphere like amber wine. /
breathed balsamic odors, / walked
over fragrant beds Of pine needles,
and searched for the latest Rocky
mountain wild fowers-unequaled in
all the northern woodland | dream
ed of my love. No matter what her
father might be, l remember that her
mother had taught her to pray, and
believe me, Jim, it is the mother who
makes us what we are.
My own mother, who died when I
was child. was passionate lover of
beauty. have seen her kissthe early
flowers that I used to bring her; |
have seen her tender blue eyes watch
the sunset with look of longing in
them as If she were tired of her hard
life and would be glad to go where
there was rest. Had she been alive
| would have asked her to come, and
l would have placed my loYe in her
motherly arms and felt that she was
safe. But | had no one.
While sitting in my cabin waiting
for her was startled by rapid steps,
a rush of the dog and in she came
painting and white as death.
"What is it, Carol? What is it,
child ?"I cried, springing toward her.
ooh, she frightened me so-Man-
nella! She found it out that / came
here, and she and Jose were talking
last night and they said that / must
be put out of the way! Oh. Mr..
Won Ranke! where is it they would
put me?"
"They shall not harm you'll said,
as calmly as I could, for wished to
quiet her. | did not take her in my
arms, as l wish that / had, but we
are not so bad as the erotic school of
novelists paint us-at least some of
us are not. | know that to me stand
ing there in her helpless, unprotected
| innocence seemed so sacred that |
felt it would be PROCLAMATION to lay
my hands upon her, even in the tend
crest love.
"Tell me Carol,' l said, "if you
know why they wish to put you out
of the way. You are safe now; don't
be frightened, but try to think"
sob, [ know she said, bursting
into tears; "they have my mothers
money, her jewels-all that was hers
and they think that l will want
them. They think that 1 will tell
some one who will take them away"
All my irresolution, my miserable
dallying, was now at an end. Here
was case for the Vigilantes. l
would go at once and lay the matter
before them, and / would also go to
the legal authorities, if any could be
found, and have guardian appoint
ed for my loye. Fool that I had
been, to sit dreaming over her por-
trait when her sweet life was atstake.
"Carol," said I "can you stay
here with your dog while / go to
Helena? You must never go back
to your home. You are my little
girl now, and / must find another
home where there is some good kind
woman to take care of you. Dare
I leave you? You have Knight, and
you see there are strong bolts on the
door and window shutters"
She gave me a look that will go
with me to my grave. Alteration
and gratitude shone from her eyes,
drowned as they were in tears.
81 am not afraid today" she said,
"for Mannella aud Joss are drinking
80 hard, and they expect some
friends, and they will dance and eat
and drink and forget all about me
until they get sober again"
"But they are watching your
"Mannella never remembers any,
thing when she is drinking"
every well, then. If you do not
like to shut yourself up in the dark
while / am gone put Knight on the
watch, and watch yourself. You can
see lar Down the gorge, aud there is
no other way for them to come. Keep
strict watch, Carol, and if you see
any one bolt the door and window.
Keep your dog with you and you
will be safe until / can return-so
good-by for a little while; / shall
not be gone moment longer than
can help. You are used to being
alone, Carol?"
"Oh, yes; knight and / are not
afraid in your house," she said, "and
we have the other Carol, my twin, to
keep us company"
She tried TO smile through bel
tears, and I turned and left her.