The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-08-23
LOVE on 4 MOUNTAIN
@l iswfs - ~ -.
Nv ri "A pnrAN
By ELsA DORIAN.


burned the sparse grass around tn,
old farmhouse. but Amos Bently shiv
cred and moved his chair out OF tn,
shade Of the apple tree.
Seems like the winds in the east
honey" he said to Priscilla.
The girl looked down and a wistfu
smile curved her lips. She was pale
with the intense heat, but she knew
that the old mans sluggish blood was
chilled.
Priscilla stood on the doorstone
looking Off at the hills which billowed
away into a dim blue haze.
The thought that was ever present
smote her sharply now. If anything
happened to grandfather what should
she do? What could she do?
Teach school, OF course. and there
We're 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
1t 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 hide!"
Fancy Love finding me atop OF
Rattlem mountainI" laughed Priscilla,
as she took down shining tin pail.
In the meantime, while I'm waiting
for him, I'll pick those blackberries be
fore the birds eat them up"
The farther side of the field Dor
dered the woods. and the blackberry
thicket between was laden with fruit
In the deep shadow of her pink sun.
bonnet Pricilla did not see the dark
clouds piling up in the southwest
Suddenly came the avalanche OF great
warm drops that soon became heavy
downpour.
Priscilla turned to fee.
A blackberry 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 momenti" called a mans
voice. and pair of strong hands
gently lifted Priscilla from her igno
BILE position and set her upon her feet.
She WINGED, screamed and tainted
In her rescuer's 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
no light matter
He reached the little farmhouse
and, as he almost fell up the steps
the kitchen door opened and grand.
fathers worried face appeared
What's happened to Prissy?" the
old man quavered.
"Sprained ankle, I think" painted
Priscillas deliyerer 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
pair of very blue eyes In a thin,
brown face-a strong face, but win,
ming one.
Yes, sir" he was saying to grand
father In the most respectful voice,
here's my card. | represent the
Pepperton Pickle and Preserve com
pany."
Priscilla sat up on the couch and
discovered that grandfather had re
moved her shoe and stocking. and.
with the aid of her rescuer, was en-.
gagged In putting a cold compress on
the damaged ankle. AS in dream
she saw the young man go out and
return with pail Of Icy water from
the deep well.
He was painting as though the ex.
srtion OF pulling up the well bucket |
was too much for his puny strength. |
Most of the story book heroes would |
have brought In the well sweep 1t. |
self on one shoulder!
At that whimsical thought Priscilla
aughed outright
There! ! knew you were all right"
,ried grandfather. tucking shawl /
around her injured foot. "Mr. Con-
vell's going to send the doctor up
he mountain" He leaned over and
Iissed his granddaughter.
Before leaving Mr.. Ccnwell dis
closed the fact that lie had been
ent by the Pepperson Pickle and Pre-
Ierve company to see Miss Bently i
With a view to obtaining her services
s chief of their homemade" preserve
department..
Long after he had gone down the
Priscilla lay on the sofs
ooking out at the sun blazing over
he new-washed world
He hsd promised to come back
gain and his eyes betrayed an inten-
ion to return again and yet again
Until Priscilla bade him stay beside
er always.