Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-12-06
MisCellanenMs.
FET'TER

was one Of the most important person
ages in the country. IN fact, he still
holds "a conspicuous position in mos
cities of the vigorous. impetuous West
Several years ago Sheriff Black, o
Cheyenne, was much annoyed by the
persistence and determination of sundry
suitors for the hand of his fair daug liter
Miss Helen.
As is always tho case in mining dis,
tricts, the male population far outnum,
bered the gentle sex, and Miss Helen,
who was handsome brunette, would
have been II belle among far soverer
critics than the youths of Cheyenne.
She had graduated at st. Louis, and
besides being gifted musician was a
devout worshiper of nature and fond Of
outdoor exercise.
Almost any fine evening in summer
a passer-by might hear her rich mezzo
voice accompanying her guitar to some
ringing "ballad of the plains"
Unconscious was she of the fact that
the melody hoated out from the shadows
of the cottonwood trees and mingled
with the broad, effulgent moonlight,
and that many a lucklcss youth dated n
hopeless love from the first evening
when he had dropped in to help the
sheriff aud the old servant in making an
audience.
Miss Helen cared little for the admi-
ration of men, but accepted it as mat
ter of course, having been brought up
among them. She enjoyed herself in n
fashion Of her own, with her books,
guitar, sketch book and her spirited
horse, Wildfrc.
Two of her lovers, however, seemed
to gain more favor than the rest. In
fact, popular opinion was puzzled as TO
which would win
One of them was tall athletic young
Westerner. who was MS bright and in
MIGRATING of presence as the air he
breathed, and in whose clear blue eyes
not shadow of deceit was visible
Handsome, for sure, but so sturdy and
independent that he impressed one rs a
young giant.
He was an ardent geologist, could
analyze find" as we'll as nm expert,
loved his mountains and worshiped-
Miss Helen.
But with all his devotion Joe was a
discreet young fellow, and held his curly
head up in defiance of mankind 10 gem
eral and his rival in particular, and be
never let the fair Helen feel too sure Of
her conquest.
The aforesaid rival was wealthy
young mine owner from Cbicago--all
that is conveyed in the term "a polished
gentleman. lie had laughed heartily
when on departing for his new home his
Chicago friends had jokingly predicted
that he would lose his heart to some
Western beauty. But here be was,
eager to lay his fate and fortune at tho
feet of the sherif's qucenIy daughter.
One bright, breezy day in September
Helen cantered off soon after dinner
with some sketching material, ostcnsbly
to mako some sketches Of the autumn
scenery, but really to commune with
nature, the only mother she had ever
known, and to decide what answer she
should give on the morrow to her
wealthy lover who that day had asked
her to be his wife. She told him that
she must read her own heart before she
could answer, and be hoped for favor
able reply
Joe had been offended by one Of her
hnsty speeches "A week before They
were talking about Russell, and she had
asserted somewhat warmly that she knew
of no one whose society she preferred
As soon az the impulsiyo words were
spoken she repented but Joe rode away
with look in his eyes that had haunted
her ever since
Somehow Joe's naughty head flung
back like a stag at bay, kept booming
up before her mental vision, when duty
demanded that che be thinking Of Russell
and his Gattering offer.
The hours wore on, and 50 prcoccu.
pied was she that she did not observe
the heavy clouds that we're rolling black
and massive down the mountain side.
Suddenly large drop splashed in her
face, and she looked about her in alarm.
A heavy equinoctial storm seemed al
most upon her.
Wildfre spraDg forward at the touch
of the whip, and literally few in the d.
rection Of the house.
The great clouds were rolling over
the hills like giant ogres clad in mist
Thunder and sharp, vivid lightning fol-
lowed, and then the deluge.
Wildfire dashed on until they came
to the creek. and then tho girl drew
back in dlsmay
The creek was foaming torrent,
and she could not see the bridge
Suddenly she heard a mans voice