The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1903-03-11
CHAPTER XII.

W MOUNTAIN SlueS OF uOWn III
the canyon beside the stream that
danced down to meet the Black Rock
river, 1 talking and sketching and read
ing and she listening and dreaming,
with often n happy smile upon her
face. But there were moments when
q cloud of shuddering fear would
sweep the smile away and then I
would talk of Craig till the smile came
back again.
But the woods and the mountains
and the river were her best, her wis
est, friends during those days. How
sweet the ministry Of the woods to
her! The trees We're In their new sum-
mcr leaves, fresh and full Of life.
They swayed and rustled above us,
fingiDg their interlacing shadows upon
us. and their swaying and their rus
thing soothed and comforted like the
voice and touch of a mother. And the
mountains, too, in oil the glory of their
varying robes Of blues and puppies,
stood calmly, solemnly, about us, up
lifting our souls into regions OF rest.
The changing lights and shadows fit
ted swiftly over their rugged fronts,
but left them ever as before In their
%steadfast majesty. Goods In his heav-
en-" What would you have? And ever
the little river sang its cheerful cour-
age, fearing not the great mountains
that threatened to bar it's passage to
the sec. Mrs. Mavor heard the song,
and her courage rose.
1--WE, too, shall find our way" she
said, and l believed her.
But through these days l could not
make her out, and l found myself
studying her rs l might a new ac-
quaintance. Years had fallen from
her. She was q girl again, full of
young. warm life. She was as sweet
as before, but there was a soft shypess
over her, q half shamed, half frank
consciousness in her face, a glad light
In her eyes that made her oil new to
inc. Her perfect trust In Craig was
touching to see.
CHE will tell me what to do" she
would say till l began to realize how
impossible it would be for him to be-
tray such trust and. be anything but
true to the best.
SO much did 1 dread Craig's home
coming that / sent for Graeme and old
man Nelson, who was more and more
Graeme's trusted counselor and friend.
They were both highly excited by the
story l had to tell, for l thought 1t best
to tell them all, but l was not a little
surprised and Disguised that they did
not sec the matter In my light. In vain
/ protested against the madness of al
lowing anything to send these two from
each other. Graeme summed up the
discussion In his own emphatic way,
but with an earnestness in his words
not usual with him.
"Craig will know better than any of
US what is right to do, and he will do
that, and no nan can turn him from 1t,
and" he added, al should be sorry to
try"
Then my wrath rose, and I cried:
ITS q tremendous shame! They love
each other. You are talking senti-
mental humbug and nonsense"
III must do the right" said Nelson
In his deep, quiet voice.
Fright! NONSENSE! BY what right
does he send from him the woman no
lovesT'
"'He pleased not himself" quoted
Nelson r~everently.
Nelson is right" said Graeme. 81
should not like to see him weaken"
Look here" l stormed. ~ didn't
bring you men to back him up In his
nonsense. I thought you could keep
your heads level"
"Now, Connor," said Graemc, don't
rage. Leave that for the heather. It's
bad form and useless besides. Craig
will walk his way where his light falls,
and, by all that's holy, | should hate
to see him fail. for If he wcakens like
the rest of MS my North star will have
dropped from my sky"
mice selfish spirit" | muttcrcd.
Entirely so. I'm not a saint, but l
feel like steering by one when | see
him."
When, after q week had gone, Craig
rode up one early morning to his shack
door, his face told me that lie had
fought his fight and had not been beat
en-. He had ridden all night and was
ready to drop with weariness.
"Connor. old boy" he said, putting
out his hand. Tin rather played. There
was a bad row at the Landing. | have
just closed poor Collcy's eyes. 1t was
awful. | must get sleep. Look after
Dandy, will you, like a good chap"
ooh. Dandy be hangcdp' I said, for
l knew 1t was not the fight nor the
watching nor the long ride that had
shaken his iron nerve and given him
that fncc. "Go In and lie down. I'll
bring you something"
"Wake me I'm the afternoon" he said.
"She Is waiting. Perhaps you will go
to her." His lips quivered. "My nerve
Is rather gone" Then, with n very
wan smile, he added, II am giving you
q lot of trouble"
"You go to thunderp 1 burst out, for
my throat was hot and sore with grief
for him.
II think I'd rather go to sleep" he re-
piled, still smiling.
/ could not speak and was glad Of the
chance of being alone with Dandy.
When / came in, I found him sitting
with his head I'm his arms upon the ta-
bic fast asleep. I made him tea, forced
him to take a warm bath and sent him
to bed, while went to Mrs. Mavor. I
went with q fearful heart, but that was
because 1 had forgotten the kind of
woman she was.
She was standing I'm tho light of the
window waiting for me. Her face was
pale, but steady; there was a proud
light in her %fathomless eyes, a slight
smile parted her lips, and she carried
her head like a queen.