The Democratic advocate., 1908-11-27

cart TO the top or the mountain, and
there the ladies set up a permanent
camp, facing the sunset, with the val
leys stretching fur below them.
Every day christopher Kent climbed
the forest road, taking with him some
times a fish that he had caught in the
stream or brace of birds to be broil-
ed over the fire.
And always the two lonely women
welcomed him, Mrs. Ames frankly and
Eleanor with a dawning shyness that
gave him hope.
Il have had a bit of good fortune y
he told the girl one morning eagerly.
my uncle has written that when I go
back in December am to have part
interest in his business. 1t means a
big income and q settled place for
life"
"And you won't come again to the
mountainp p she asked.
"No, 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 colnesr'
She shivered little. "It's such a
gray October day." she added.
what are your plansT' he ques-
! toned.
milne? oh, I don't knowv' a little
drearily. when I can leave mother
I will go to work. In the meantime
we.will live with a distant cousin"
1t was on his tongue to tell her how
he loved her, but he felt that this was
nt 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 We're 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 lash cut
the air, she spoke again. "If you touch
him." she said, "I'll 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.
coat and her hair was braided into
two long golden ropes. She looked like
a child, with her white face and slight
figure, and when she saw Christopher
she swayed toward him.
"Oh, make them go away" she cried
helplessly, and the pistol dropped from
her nerveless hand.
The men turned and saw him, and
at the sight of his set face they at
once began apologies. Eve 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 in the shadows.
Then Christopher went to the girl,
who was bending over her mother.
The older woman revived Immediately
in the comfort Of 4 strong mans pres
ence. 81 was very silly" she said,
''but they looked such brutes."
Eleanor made some coffee under the
trees, and when Kent had carried a
cup to Mrs Ames, who was still in the
cart. he caI,e 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 "Oh!'' with quick
drawn breath.
"Dear heart" he murmured, ''just
once you must obey. But If you could
| promise to love and honor always we
| might make a marriage service OF it
| tomorrow. There's little church In
the valley. and know the minister"
"You arc doing 1t just to take care OF
me- she said, flushing.
He took her hand in his. Il am do
| ing it because I love you," he said.
s'Shall V nd the little church, Flea
nor?'
"Oh, who would have believed that
the road to Already led there?" she
whispered, with wonderful light in
| her ewes.