The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1915-10-08
his MOUNTAIN GIRL
ny RONALD rosa


no ties. Nobody in the world cared
for him. He wanted only to bury
himself in the heart OF the forest ana
TO forget.
One day. &c Marvin rode through
the wooda. he came upon q alp of a
mountain girl bending over q brook.
Her bare feet we're as brown as ber-
ries. her arms nut brown, her face
flushed with confusion as abe raised
IL to his.
They fell into an easy conversation.
Her father was a ANAL sheep rancher
living in the valley She had no 9th
or relative or friend except-Jim.
Jim was her lover Marvin gathered.
He rode on. vaguely Disconnected, The
thought OF the girl required to him
again and again.
he met her once more, twice-then
the day came when he rode down to
the valley to buy his supplies. And
he saw the girl ct the door OF the
ranch building.
Joe cooper's gal" the storekeeper
told him. she's sort OF queer. Old
Jim Bates 10 crazy to marry her, but
he's in his fifties and the gal don't
care for an old man, Guess her father
VIII make her. though. He's eager to
get rid of her-shiftless lot, them
Coopers."
Marvin, returning. saw q group OF
three at the door of the house. The
two men we're arguing angrily with
the girl. Marvin thought he saw
tears on her cheeks He pulled In hts
horse: then slowly rode away. IL
was no business OF his; he could not
interfere
But the days hung drearily on his
hands, and he felt q vague longing to
see the forest girl again. About q
week later his wish was gratifed.
She was coming along the trail.
sobbing, and when she saw him she
stopped dead and hid her face in her
hands. Marvin was at her side In .
minute.
You are in trouble" he said. what
can do to help your" Then in sud
den realization, You were coming
to mef"
She nodded dumbly. Il can't atand
for II in the valley" che said. Il
won't marry Jim Bates. l won't. I
hate him. All my life have wanted
to live in the mountains. away from
folks"
The stammered. foolish words were
almost inRrticulate. Marvin under
stood the passion behind them, the
soul longing for freedom. cropping for
refuge from the petty tyranny Of life
He placed his arm around her She
looked up at him. and their lips met.
Il, too. love the mountains" he said.
Would you come and live with me-
| mean, II we we're TO be married."
She nodded They stroIled together
along the trail, and ct last both had
found happiness. Before she left Il
was arranged that abe was to meet
him and they would ride 10 the near
est town and find q minister.
That night he dreamed that he was
pursuing Laura through . vast, smoky
land, a wilderness with no other liv.
ing being In sight; yet she was run
ming from him toward some unknown
danger, and he pursued, eager to save
her.
He gasped and sat up. Through
the window of his cabin he saw
lurid light that seemed TO all the sky.
The room was filled with smoke.
He hurried into his clothes and ran
to the stable. The horse was whinny-
ing. fearful Of the fre that seemed to
be creeping nearer Marvin saddled
him and rode at a gallop into the
woods At the edge of the crest he
saw that the whole valley was ablaze
He tethered his horse securely and
ran down the valley. He saw smol.
dering homesteads. fallen trees,
blackened rooftops OF deserted houses
Then he was at the Cooper ranch.
The house was Btill blazing.
He ran through the little irrigated
patch and hammered furiously at the
door II fell crashing beneath his
blows The interior was empty.
Thank God for that
The girl must have Joined the fugi-
tiyes In the mountains at the other
end OF the valley There was no more
70 be done. Marvin turned slowly
away-and then he was aware Of the
girl erouching beside the little trickle
Of water. as she had crouched by the
brook that day. She was crouchinE.
weeping. and In = moment be had her
In his arms
You are not hurt7" he cried.
Where is your father2 Your"
7 don't know" she sobbsd when
awoke the house was beginning 10
burn dressed and hurried out here.
think think they have gone with
the settlers toward the mountains"
They left you to burnt" exclaimed
Marvin. In horror.
She laid her hand on bis arm Il
heard them calling for me" she said.
But hid here Tomorrow ! was 70
have married Jim"
And now" asked Marvin, bending
over her,
Now. | Just can't can't Leave
me to die
He caught her In his arms and ear.