The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-08-01

fAh61 tAthA- CAAibr lEOAAlL bUlu5 IllBu6Ti ana
higher TN some crest was gained, but
on this occasion they urged her to ac-
company them IN vain. Z
When the fixity Of her decision was
established she had number Of offers
to accompany her, but declined them
all, bidding the others go their way.
Mrs. Maitland, who was not feeling
very well, old Kirby, who had
climbed too many MOUNTAINS to feel
much interest In that game, and Pete
the horse wrangler, who had to look
after the stock, remained in camp:
<the others with the exception OF Enid
started at daybreak for their long as
cent. She waited until the sun was
about an hour high and then babe
goodbye to the three and began the
descent OF the canon. Travelling light,
for she was going far-farther. indeed,
than she knew-she left her Winches.
ter at home, but carried the revolver
with the fishing tackle and substantial
luncheon -E s,
Now the rivera river by courtesy
only-and the canon turned sharply
back on themselves Just beyond the
/ little meadow where the camp was
pitched. Past the tents that had been
their home for this joyous period the
river ran due. east for few hundred
feet, after which It curved sharply,
doubled back and flowed westward
for several miles before It gradually
swung around to the east on its prop
er course again.
1t had been Ends purpose to cut
across the hills and strike the river
where 1t turned eastward once more,
avoiding the long detour back. In
fact, she had declared her intention
Of doing that to Kirkby and he had
given her careful directions SO that
she should not get lost In the noun
tains.
But she had plenty OF time and no
excuse or reason for saving 1t. she
never tired Of tho charm OF the canon:
therefore, instead Of plunging directly
over the spur OF the range, she fol-
lowed the familiar trail and after she
had passed westward far beyond. the
limits of the camp to the turning, she
decided. in accordance with that ut
terly irresponsible thing, a woman's
will, that she would not go down the
canon that day after all, but that she
would cross back over the range and
strike the river a few miles above the
camp and go up the canon.
She had been up In that direction
few times, but only for short dis
lance, as the ascent above the camp
was very sharp. In fact for a little
more than mile the brook was only
succession Of water fall; the best
fishing was below the camp and tho
finest woods were deeper in the canon.
She suddenly concluded that she
would like to see what was up in that
unexplored section of the country and
SO. with scarcely momentary hest
tation. she abandoned her former plan
and began the ascent OF the range.
Upon decisions so lightly taken
what momentous consequences de-
pend? Whether she should 60 up the
stream or down the stream, whether
she should follow the rivulet to Its
source or descend 1t to Its mouth,
was apparently matter OF little mo-
'ment, yet her whole life turned abso.
lutely upon that decision. The idle
and unconsidered choice OF the hour
was frought with gravest possibilities.
Had that election been made with any
suspicion. with any foreknowledge, had
1t come as the result Of careful rea.
soning or far.seeing OF probabilities,
1t might have been understandable.
but an impulse. within, the vagrant
Idea Of an idle hour. the careless
chance OF a moment, and behold! a
lie Is changed. On one side were
youth and Innocence. freedom and
happiness, happy day, a good rest
by the cheerful fire at night; on the
other. peril of life, struggle, love,
jealousy. self sacrifice. devotion, suffer.
ing, knowledge-scarcely Eve herself
when she stood apple in hand with
ignorance and pleasure around her
and enlightenment and sorrow before
her, had greater choice to make.
How fortunate We are that the fu.
ture is yelled, that the psalmist's
prayer that he might know his end
and be certified how long he had to
live is one that will not and cannot
be granted: that 1t has been given to
but One TO foresee his own future.
for no power apparently could enable
us to stand up against what might be,
because We are only human beings
not sufficiently aiight with the spark
divine. We wait for the end because
We must. but thank God We know 1t
not until 1t comes. r..
Nothing OF this appeared to the girl
that bright sunny morning. Fate hid
In those mountains under the Guise OF
fancy. Lighthearted, carefree, fitted
with bnoyant joy over. every fact OF
life, she lett the flowing water and
scaled the cliff beyond which In the
wilderness she was to find after all,
the world.
The ascent was longer and more
difficult and dangerous than she had
imagined when she first confronted 1t,
perhaps It was typIcal and foretold her