Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1905-05-04
Copyright, 1905. by Daily story Pub. Cos

| The rain had broken into the plans
Of the pleasure seekers. 1t had forced
them to the shelter Of the cabins at
| the foot of the mountain and in good
natured, friendly groups they trailed
through the long mountain-top grass,
their faces wet with the fog that hung
In heavy cloud in the stunted trees
above them.
As the girls passed, eyes blue and
black and brown challenged Gray, but
he only shook his head. He wanted
his pipe and solitude, and he declared
that 1t was his imperative duty to re-
main behind not only to see that the
mules were well packed but in order
to bring all the lost things down the
mountain from handkerchiefs to girls.
In spite Of the reproach in more
than one pair of bright eyes he let
them all pass. He noticed that the
mist was settling thicker, but the
mountain was as familiar to him as
the outlines of his own hand, and. in
cheerful unconcern, he smoked pipe
after pipe
A distant call from somewhere in
the muffiing fog reused him from his
reverie. 1t was woman's voice.
Some one of them had Jagged behind
and had been lost among the dozen
cattle trails that ran in a bewildering
network across the mountain.
Yes" he shouted. He got to his
feet, knocked the tobacco from his
pipe, stuffed 1t in his pocket and
plunged In the direction of the calling
voice. Now it sounded family from
the right, now from the left; now it
died away to come again from an en-
tirely new direction, and from what
sounded like a great distance.
Keep still" he shouted. 81 will
never find you'll" There was an inn
perative ring in his voice, Now CALL"
AS the voice called louder, buoyed
and strengthened by the knowledge
OF his human nearness, he plunged
into the Opaque mist curtain, and in a
moment, guided by the sobbing sound
of painting breath. he had almost STUN
bled upon the girl.
"Oh," she cried in passionate relief
as her rescuer came up to her, how
good it is to be found! 1t hasn't
been more than century has it? But
you will find them for me, won't you?
They were just ahead. | lost them
all in a minute-and then the path
stopped. | ran up higher. | tried
to get back to the cave. We had
agreed on the cave in case of trouble
but could not find 1t. | lost my head
the loneliness was desperate 1t over
mastered me, and the fog caught me
by the throat" She sank down on a
log, trembling violently. and began to
sob like little child
When the sound had twisted and
Grays heartstrings until
1t was physical impossibility to en-
dure it longer, he touched her arm
gently. please don't" he said.
THE fog's lifting little. I'll get you
out of this all right"
The girl looked up. In the oval of
her pale face her eyes seemed I'M
large and dark You are
very good" she said, controlling her
voice with an effort" and then I'VE
been extremely babyish. but -"
Her words died on her lips; she start
ed at Gray unbelieylngly.
You, she gasped. you herein
Gray paled under his tan. "It's
where belong-here in America" he
said slowly.
but | thought" The girl looked
at him as if she doubted the evidence
Of her own senses. eI-don't under
stand" she said helplessly.
TITS very simple, Gray said, and he