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


self oondescended with pompous
proprietary flourish of his whip to
point ont to hispassengers the humble
roof which sheltered her, and would
expaIate garrulously concerning her
loneliness. Her parents proudly nc
copied the fact that she was the belle
OF several counties and added their
share to the universal admiration.
From certain charming pose of
her pretty head and slender, graceful
throat some one of her more imagina
tive admirers had suggested like
moss to the exquisite Shasta lily, and
from that moment the appellation had
chung persistently to this fair name
sake of so fair flower.
On the December night of my story
ball was in progress at the old stage
station which then stood on tho very
site now occupied by the tavern.
From the windows and doors lights
shone out upon the sombre back
ground of pines. Strains of the
fiddle" mingled with sounds of CAV
voices and restless feet. Above Mi,
keeping time with the music, rose the
shrill calls: Ford gents" Swing
yer pardners, followed by the scrapc,
scrape, scrape of the advancing and
receding roughly-clad feet.
1t was motley crowd there as
semhled. Red shirts, blue shirts and
"b'ilei shirts" were on plane of
equality.
The fun and excitement increased.
and the scrnping of heavy boots grew
into scuille as each dancer nude an
effort to eclipse his neighbor in the
"swing." The fiddler marked time
with head and feet, participating Wig
oronsly in the reigning enjoyment.
Mary Dean was, rs usual, the chief
attraction. Tall, fair and graceful, she
was prc-cminent among her compan-
ions.
As, with an added flourish and a
shriller squeak of the fiddle, the dane
ing ceased, Mary moved toward the
open window The flood Of light from
within the room illumined her slight
figure and delicate profile, accentua-
ting the likeness TO the graceful lily
and creating picture to charm even
the most Indifferent Not SO to he
classed, however, were two young men
who, sheltered by the darkness, had
been watching the merry dancers.
They gazed steadiastly ut this lovely
girl and then turned fierce eyes upon
each other. Evidently no ncighborlv
friendship existed between them. Not
word was spoken, but volumes might
be read in the set lips and lowering
brows. As though impclled by one
sentiment they stepped simultaneously
toward the window where Mary leaned
penslvely against the frame.
Some troubled thought stirred her
usually tranquil countcnanccs as, with
start, she perceived their approach.
One of the young men was well
dressed, with city" plainly discernible
ia his style of clothing.
The other, though not careless in
attire, were the customary rough garb
of the sturdy miners of this region.
His manners were brusque and his
voice took on even stcrner accent
than usual
Mary, he said abruptly, "words
are useless. You know our hearts.
and you have promised to decide be-
tween us tonight We will bear
triiiing no longer"
This wooing was like himself, bluff
and straightforward, but probably
not ms worthy in maiden's opinion
~ more vehement protcstations of de-
votion might be.
Mary, however, unmoved by this
stern demand, with serene eyes
looked upward to the sharp crags out
lined against the starset SKY.
Then she gazed intently mt the face
of each lover, but still her THOUGHTS
were unspoken. Again her glance
sought the rigid cliffs. Then slow
smile lighted her eyes and curved the
perfect lids, and. drawing glove from
i pocket, she held it toward the two
men.
eyes, | will give my answer. Some
where near the end OF the trail, mt the
summit of the peaks, you will find n
pair of gloves like this. left them
there last week. He who will first
place one of them in my hand may
claim me.
Like thunderbolt fell this decision
upon each OF the listeners. The feat
was tribe to accomplish, but could il
he possible for love TO dictate such
condition. IT she cared for either.
could any girl be willing to leave her
fate subject to such doubtful order.
ing? Heavy hearts were theirs. but
love was powerful and winsomc. Mary
Dean was the prize Without word
OF glance the two men vanished into
the night, and Mary turned with "a
sigh. Was it significant of relief. re-
grct or gratiiiel vanity?
In the morning, when the dancers
began 90 think Of starting homeward.
they discovered, to their dsmav. that
dark clouds had gathered over the
Crags, about whose domcs and shafts
the lightning played in ftul flashes.
Soon the storm was ON them i'm ter
rifle power.
Binding torrents of rain, onswept
by the fury Of tho tempest throat
cucd TO wrcst the very buildings from
their foundations Giant trees were
splutercd 10y thundcrbolts seemingly
hurled from the mighty crags. Amid
the tumuItuous roar Of the storm
could be heard on every side the ter
ror-irnught strain, md groau, md
crash of falling trees. Then some one
thought of the BRIDE. "It viii 90 t'