The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1894-12-18


~ - wv from land and sea
\# afur. Cottonwoods
bent gracefully to
view their fair re-
Elections in placid pools by the Sacra
mento's edge. Birds, in their green
shelter, twittered their ioyons matins
Bees hummed about the wild azaleas
whose sweetness drifted out through
highway and byway mingling with the
pungent scent of pine and fir. In the
distance rose Shasta, pure, majestic,
glorious In tIw morning light. The
Castle Peaks thrust sharp, gray crags
upwards against the serene blue of the
sky. Just visible through leafy vistas
the gables OF the Tavern" bore sufli-
clent evidence of hospitable hnbita-
ton. Numbers of the guests had
strolled down to the station to greet
the morning passengers.
The train proved to DO late, and
nothing 10th, we had chosen to await
its arrival; so lettering on the bridge.
leaning over the rail to watch the
glistening fish MS they dnrted in spots
OF silver along the swift waters, or
lounginS on piles of understanding
lumber, one and all found the sun.
shine and fragrance and beautv ample
excuse for happy Incidence
While watching the rows of curious
faces Mt the car windows, complain
ing voice near by recalled my stray
ing attention.
There arc the Blanks, Oh, WHY
couldn't they stay Mt home? There
isn't girl Mt the Tavern, not even
the very prettlest one, who can shine
with the least little glimmer when
Mrs Blank is in sight, and with n
pathetic SIGH. IT very attractive girl
FASTENED oil to condolc with her fellow
sufferers.
To be sure, there was Mrs. Blank.
and as | looked / felt that had never
before fully realized her loneliness.
She seemed TO have gained n new
charm only an expression, perhaps,
out Whatever the cause, ii puzzled me.
---Na4i>4hs slowly up through the pine
grove, she now AMI then passed n
caressing hand across the rough
trunks which lined the path. and
while others hnstened TO the hotel she
fingered along the way as If the pine
carpet were luxury TO her feet.
Once she paused for glimpse o
the Castle Peaks, and rs she gaZed at
the great crags and domes wonder
full hight came into her face, and.
turning, she looked full into the ewes
of her husband, who had been onrerIv
noting every change IN her coun
tenance.
at is insprution,' | said. ".Shc
loves the mountains, and the pines.
and--her husband.
As | sat on the west vcranJo tb,
afternoon, Watching the quaint effect,
OF Fight and shade on the peaks OF
Castle rocks rs they rose sharply
above the dark pines which seemed
striving with ever hopeless en- lcavor
to reach the summit, the Blanks
passed near me.
Glow glad am to breathe the old
familiar atmosphere again. | believe
was truly homesick for the scent O.
pines, said she aud from the look
which accompanied his reply | kncN
mat she was the one tnlr and gracious
being for him in all the world.
ust then one OF group of men
called to him: eve want to c;iml
the peaks tomorrow. You know the
trail Will you go with u.s."
Certainly; shall enjoy the trip -
but gentle pressure on his arm
caused him to look down into very
white face AID eyes which showed
abject terror
With q sudden exclamation he said
turning again to the men, con sec.
ond thoughts, ] must beg YOU TO cx-
cuso me. am sorry, but cnn Civ,
you all necessary directions.
That evening, aftera stroll M the
logging road, we gathered on our ie
vorite veranda. Foruwhilo we were
silent, absorbed in the moon-traccd
beauty Of the night The great crnps
were tipped with iunumerlblo silver
spires, and broad band Of sorte.t
light was stretched the mea lows
below. No breDzo stirred tho fragrant
air Only the "urrnrs OF tine stream