The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-06-15
The Euenine Story
Love on the Mountain.


burned the sparse grass around the
old farmhouse, but Amos Bently shiv-
cred and moved his chair out of the
shade of the apple tree.
Seems like the winds in the east,
honey" he said to Priscilla.
The girl looked up from her, sew
ing and wistful smile curved her
lips. She was pale with the intense
heat. but she knew that the old mans
sluggish blood was chilled.
do you want your cloak. grand
father?" she asked.
"No-I'm fairly comfortable now"
he said, and, closing his eyes, fell into
a light doZe.
Bees doomed in and out of tho
hollyhocks. A thrush sang in the pine
woods and was still again.
Priscilla stood on the doorstone
looking off at the hills which bill
lowed away into dim blue haze.
The thought that was ever present
smote her sharply now. II anything
happened to grandfather what should
she do? What could she do?
Teach school, of course and there
were her domestic talents Was she
not even now supporting herself and
her grandfather by the sale of her
pickles and preserves, her canned
fruit, her potted mincemeat?
She could continue to do that, but
it would be horribly lonesome on the
mountain top-and unsafe to stay
there alone. Priscilla was young.
She longed for pleasure, for love.
She blushed at the thought. and
smiled as she remembered her moth
er's oft-repeated advice. DO your
duty, my dear, and love will find you
out-no matter where you hider"
Fancy Love finding me atop of
Rattlem mountain!" laughed Priscilla,
as she put away her sewing and took
down a shining tin pail I'm the
meantime, while I'm waiting for him,
I'll pick those blackberrieS before the
birds eat them up
She dropped a light kiss On grand
fathers bald head and, bidding Rex.
the pointer guard the old man, Pris-
ella swung lightly around the path
and vaulted like a boy over the rail
fence into the south field.
The farther side of the field bor-
dered the woods, and the blackberry
thicket between was laden with fruit.
In the deep shadow of her pink sun
bonnet, Priscilla did not see the dark
clouds piling up the south west She
did not see a lone deer peeriiig at her
from the depths of the pine forest
She did not hear him bound away
even the sound Of the thunder was
muffled.
Suddenly came the avalanche of
great, warm drops that soon became
a heavy downrour.
Priscilla turned to flee.
A black berry vine caught her foot
and she fell full length on the ground.
Horrible pains darted through her
ankle as she tried to wriggle to her
feet. Her elbows were deep in the
crushed blackberries from her over
turned pail
wait a moment called a mans
voice.
LAS if 1 could run away!" thought
Priscilla Indignantly.
Then to the accompaniment of
crashing thunder and the incessant
flare of lightning, a pair Of strong
ignoble position and set her upon her
feet.
She WINGED, screamed and tainted
in her rescuers arms.
''The-dickens!' whistled the young
man as he staggered across the field
with his burden, for he was small and
slender and, although muscular for
one of his build, he found Priscilla
The rain pe1ted steadily down and
the thunder growled. while the light
ming appeared to leap from one hill
top to another.
He reached the little farmhouse,
and, as he almost fell upon the steps,
the kitchen door opened and grand
fathers worried face appeared.
Whats happened to Prissy?" the
old man Quavered.
"Sprained ankle, I think, painted |
Priscilla's deliverer as he laid her
down on the sofa in the sitting room.
Got any smelling salts?''
But Priscilla was recovering rap
idly. Her eyes opened and met a pair |
Of very blue ones on a thin, brown
face-a strong face, but winning
one.
He must be the artist who is camp
ng on the other side of the noun
.ain," she thought while her heart
beat fast.
hat there was no field for romance
On the mountain top?
1t was as if she had flung a def
ance and Fate had promptly proved
Ter to be in the wrong.
And an artist-so many charming
owe tales-described the accidental
Meeting of a farmers daughter and
handsome artist-and result
The voice of the stranger broke in
IN her reverie.
Eyes, SIR" he was saying to grand
ather in the most respectful voice,
here's my card. I represent the
7epperton Pickle and Preserve COM
,any.
Priscilla sat up on the couch and
that grandfather had re-
moved her shoe and stocking, and,
With the aid of her rescuer. was en-
ragged in putting a cold compress on
he damaged ankle. As in dream
he saw the young man go out and |
'eturn with a pail of icy water from
he deep we'll.
He was painting as though the ex- .
triton of pulling up the well bucket
vas too much for his puny strength. |
dost of the story-book heroes would
lave brought in the well sweep itself
N one shoulder!
At that whimsical thought Priscilla
aughed outright.
"Therei 1 knew you were all
light cried grandfather, tucking a
hawl around her injured foot Mr..
Converts going to send the doctor
I'D the mountain" He leaned over
md kissed his granddaughter.
Before leaving Mr.. Conwell dis
.losed the fact that he had been sent
~ the Pepperton Pickle and Preserve
company to see Miss Bentiy with a