Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1904-04-29

and turned to go down the road, ;
step crunched the gravel at her side
md a familiar voice sounded in hel
ears, voice that hitherto had helt
such sweetness to her shut as she
had always been in her hard life. Buf
she turned now with the free lool
dying from her face and eyes.
Dolores" exclaimed young Green
eagerly, warm light in his kindly
eyes as he went up to her with out
stretched hands. Il came over to see
about your father. You have heard
nothing from him yet, Miss Johnson? p
Il shall find him to-day" she said
steadily.
For the first time he noticed the
bottle at her waist and the strange
sad expression of her face. A knowl-
edge of her errand flashed upon him.
He touched her arm gently to detaiD
her.
you are going to find him, Miss
Johnson-Dolores? You believe he is
lost over on yonder mountain? What
fools we we're not to have thought Of
that before. Let me go with you;
may I? What could you do should
you find him?" He used no softening
words to her; he knew she compre-
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 usefulness.
Then l will leave him at the tav-
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 he was
nobler than they.
"Ther dep'ties dedn't know Their
mounting" he said gravely. "Theys
might hev ANS stepped on em
o'thout KNOWN et Eff he hev met
with an accident he mayn't be able ter
KEN an II die 'thout help KEN ter
'em. Eff tibet gal O. Johnsing's ken go
over thar ter hunt 'em, | reckon we
uns ken do tt
His slow. heavy words reused an
interest in his listeners as all Green's
words could not do. and they arose at
once to 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 the bridge like spirits Of the |
mountain. The ascent was hard and |
and Dolores was unused to
such exertion; young Green was ath-
etic, 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
Dolores. Her recent lack of food and
sleep had untitled her for such exer-
ion. She was painting and weak, but
The smiled her slow, brave smile, and
hook her head when he offered to
axe her home if she wished. She
anne to find her father, she said
Iuietly. and she would find him; she
cit certain of that.
Up in the blue space a vulture how
red; the dull flap of his wings was
udible in the dead stiffness and hol-
DIV below. Dolores saw him, and her
yes dilated.
"Seei" she cried, her sweet, strange
= penetrating voice full of terror
choing down the misty hollow. See.
Why is he there? They follow where
here are wounded. He is not there
Or nothing"
Their eyes followed hers; her terror
as reflected in their faces, used as
ley were to such scenes, and young
reen instinctively drew her nearer
imself as though to shield her from
nat might IOllOW. mere was nOIn-
lg certain about the vulture's prey;
might be wounded hare, stag,
"a mani That it was something
as certain; something, too. that was
ounded, not dead.
They stood in silence a moment {
18th awe-struck faces, while the bird +,
death lowering above them had
rrible meaning for them. Dolores |
ung to young Green with trembling ,
ands in the first wild moment; she t
d not feel his strong arm about her; s
ERE was look in her eyes he could
ever forget. Then she loosened her /
I'D of him, and stood alone slender t
i'd stately on the brink Of the yawn- q
g gulf 1t was marvellous how she I