The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1903-08-07

edge OF her errand flashed upon him.
He touched her arm gently TO detaiD
her.
You are going Co find him. Miss
Johnson-Dolcres? You believe he Is
lost over on yonder mountain? What
fools We were not TO have thought Of
that before. Let me go with YOU;
may l? What could you do should
you find HIM" He used no softening
words 20 her. he knew she oomprc'
hended the possible ending TO their
search.
You must ride my horse. Miss
Johnson. The way Is long and rough,
and"
Il will walk" she said. simply Her
lips had lost their warm red color; her
wide eyes were on his face in their
strange wistfulness.
Then will leave him At the tay.
ern." he said. quietly. to comfort her.
a group OF men were around the
door OF the tavern as they approached
and were talking over the events OF
the previous day. when young Green
and Dolores appeared their glances
were suggestive. and they listened in
silence when the young man spoke.
When he finished an ominous silence
fell upon them. Then Lode arose. OF
them all he was the most angular and
uncouth. but among them be was
noblcr than they.
"Ther dep'tles dcdn't know Their
mounting" he said graycly. "Theys
might hey ans stepped on EN-
o'thout KNOWN ct ri he hev met
with an accident he maynt be able ter
KEN an II die 'thout help KEN ter
EN-. III tibet gal o. Johnsing's ken 20
over thar ter hunt EN-. reckon we
uns ken do T."
Ills slow. heavy words reused an
interest Ga his listeners as all Green 3
words could not do, and they arose at
once 20 their duty with many a word
of grumbling that passed unnoticed
because each understood that this was
simply their way OF showing the depth
OF their interest
The strange party moved along the
ghostly mist OF the valley road and
across tho bridge like spirits OF the
mountain. The ascent was hard and
toilsome. and Dolores was unused to
such cIertion; young Green was ath.
letic but he also had never so had
his strength put TO the proof. They
paused many times TO rest and re-
cover breath. by and by Green helped
= In gts . nj
sleep had untitled her for such eXer.
tion She was painting and weak. but
she smiled her slow. brave smile. and
shook her head when he offered TO
take her home II she wished. She
came 10 find her father. she said
quietly and she would find him. she
felt certain OF that.
Up In the blue space n vulture how
cred the duh flap OF his wings was
audible in the dead stiffness and hol.
low below. Dolores saw him. and her
eyes dilated.
See" she cried. her sweet. strange
~ penetrating voice full Of terror
cchoing down the misty hollow. Sec
Why Is he there? They follow where
there are wounded. lie Is not there
fo- nothing
Their eyes followed hers; her terror
was reflected In their faces. used as
thoy were To such scenes. and young
Green instlnctiyely drew her nearer
himself "a though 10 shield her from
what might follow. There was moth.
ing certain about tho vulture's prey
IL might be a wounded hare. stag.
ora man, That II was something
was certain: something. too. that was
wounded. not dead.
They stood In silence moment
with awc-struck faces. while the bird
OF death lowering above them had a
terrible meaning for them. Dolores
chung TO young Green with trembling
hands in the first wild moment: she
did not feel his strong arm about her:
there was look In her eyes he could
never forget. Then she loosencd her
hold OF him. and stood alone slender
and stately on the brink OF the yawn-
| ing gulf. II was marvellous how she
/ impressed those about her with her
/ personality. Many n time afterward
| the young man was Weakened In the
night with the memory of her as she
stood there In her utter selfforgetful
ness. her feet touching the edge OF
the gulf opening before her. her ten
der face grand with its brave soul
Il will call him." she said. gravely
He may answer, for he is there.
know"
She leaned above the void filled In
with ghostly mist and gruesome shad
ows young Green's hand was upon
her arm. but she did not know II. She
called aloud. and her voice rang down
the silence. waking the echoes from
rock TO rock
Father! Father"
The bird OF death overhead tapped
his heavy wings and uttered a fierce
cry as a panther might that has los
its young. They waited and listened'
no sound disturbed the hush Of the
mountains heart save the echoes
fainting farther and farther into the
| myeterious depths below.