The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1908-12-24

while you are here" he said after a
silence. 81 am afraid some of these
half savage foreigners may make it
unpleasant when they know you are
unprotected"
But Eleanor would not hear Of it.
Indeed we are safe" she protested.
Every one We meet has treated us
with fine courtesy"
But he was not convinced. and all
that night he slept on the ground with
In calling distance of the red cart.
The next day the pony drew the red
cart to the top OF the mountain, and
there the ladies set up a permanent
camp, facing the sunset, with the val
leys stretching far below them.
Every day Christopher Kent climbed
the forest road, taking with him some
times fish that he had caught in the
stream or q brace Of birds to be broil-
ed over the fire.
And always the two lonely women
welcomed him, Mrs. Ames frankly and
Eleanor with dawning shyness that
gave him hope
Il have had a bit of good fortune"
he told the girl one morning eagerly
"My uncle has written that when l go
back in December am to have a part
interest In his business. 1t means
big income and settled place for
life"
"And you won't come again to the
mOuntain?' she asked.
mo, my work will be done in town."
She sat very still, looking off over
the valley. Poor mountain she said.
How lonely it will be when we are
gone and the winter comesv'
She shivered a little. tits such a
gray October day" she added
What are your plans?" he ques-
toned
Mine? Oh, don't know little
drearily when l can leave mother
l will go to work. In the meantime
we will live with distant cousin"
1t was on his tongue to tell her how
he loved her, but he felt that this was
not the time or the place. Here he
must be her protector, not her lover.
That night he could not sleep. and
at last he rose and looked out Of the
window. The wind moaned and sigh.
ed in the trees; the moon was over
cast by clouds. Somewhere in the
distance he heard a drunken song.
As he listened the song grew fainter
Some Of the miners were going up the
mountain.
He dressed hurriedly and followed.
AS he came near the little camp he
heard the snarl Of angry voices min
gled with Eleanor's clear tones.
You must let the pony alone" she
said, ''at once
Then. as the whistle of a lash cut
the air, she spoke again. "If you touch
him. she said, "Ill shoot"
Christopher came into the circle of
the freight on a run. A half dozen
swarthy men were grouped about the
pony Within the cart covered Mrs.
Ames. Eleanor stood on the back step
and pointed her pistol straight at the
snarling crowd.
She was enveloped in a long rain
coat. and her hair was braided into
two long golden ropes. She looked like
child. with her white face and slight
figure. and when she saw Christopher
she swayed toward him
oh make them go away she cried
help!essly. and the pistol dropped from
her nerveless hand.
The men turned and saw him. and
,;,.t>4 L.: To- ~
once began apologies I'VE just want
ed to have some fun with the pony"
they said. But he waved them away.
I'll deal with you later" he said, and
they skunk away i'll the shadows.
Then Christopher went to the girl,
who was bending over her mother.
The older woman revived Immediately
in the comfort Of strong mans pres
ence. Il was very silly" she said,
but they looked such brutes.'
Eleanor made some coffee under the
trees, and when Kent had carried
cup to Mrs Ames, who was still in the
cart, he came back and issued orders.
81 am going to drive you down into
the valley" he said. you and your
mother must spend the night at one Of
the farmhouses."
But Eleanor protested.
"There are no 'buts,'" he told her.
"You are to obey" and he smiled
down at her.
The light from the dying fire showed
the tenderness in his strong face, and,
seeing it, she said "Ohr' with quick
drawn breath.
Dear heart" he murmured, lust
once you must obey. But if you could
promise to love and honor always we
might make marriage service Of it
tomorrow There's little church in
the valley. and l know the minister"
you are doing it just to take care OF
me-" she said flushing.
He took her hand in his. 81 am do
ing it because l love you" he said.
"Shal we find the little church. Flea
nor?"
"Oh, who would have believed that
lnd fhoroCv Oh 10