The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1923-11-08

thoughtfully passed her fingers over
the names and glanced down at the
foot OF the outstanding pinnacle. In
a sheltered pocket OF the great rock.
where only the tempered rays OF the
sun could strike II, lay tiny bed OF
leaf mold set with clumps OF yellow
orchids not yet abloom-"lady slip
pers," In the quaint and expressive
vernacular OF the Wabash country
from the deep woods.
The girl stopped above the tiny fiow-
er bed-a friendly spot In Its setting
OF stern rocks; plucked away an OBJ
truslve weed or two; let her sobered
eyes stray back to the red-roofed cot
tage, across a small orchard that lay
spread at her feet. and out over the
rather pretentious farmstead 10 which
the orchard belonged.
Pretentious-just that; promise or
comfort and affiuence never fulfilled.
There was every evidence that the
farmstead had been laid out on scale
much more elaborate than was usual
in the Flatwoods. but nothing had
been finlshed-an attempt that failed;
dream that never came true.
Outlined among the weeds and en-
croaching brambles lay the extensive
foundation OF the farmhouse. but 1t
had been carried little beyond the
foundation. A few sills-huge squared
logs, cut and hewed In the upland
woods-had been laid. OF the few
timbers OF the superstructure. some
had fallen entirely, others had fallen
at one end and hung straining. while
even the firmest canted far out OF
plumb.
Back of this creaking skeleton OF
time-blackened timbers. and nearer the
cliff, stood a mite Of log cabin, rude
ly constructed. where doubtless a man
had housed while dreaming his UNI
finished dream of house and barns and
happy homestead. Rooted beside the
door and almost completely covering
the cabin, a crimson rambler OF many
years growth--a far wanderer that no
surroundings can degrade-onered
fragrant suggestion that woman had
shared the dreams OF the man.
Three horses grazed In the barn lot
down near big elm that stood at the
road gate; some geese squatted along
the diminutive rivulet leading from
the spring; out In the feed lot lolled
a bunch Of cattle. fine and thrifty as
could have been seen the length OF
the Wabash.
The eyes Of the girl suddenly walked
from brooding; darted to a point
short distance up the cliff; livened.
The SLOUGH hat and drab corduroy
hunting blouse OF tall young woods
man with an immense spread Of shout
der had fitted past break In the
bushes as he sprang down the steep
and rugged path that picked it's way
among the rocks from the uplands.
She was just In time TO see him reach
up, put his hand on the top rail OF
the fence and vault over into the barn
lot. The girl missed breath. Few
men In the Flatwoods could have made
that leap.
Down by the big elm at the road
gate one OF the horses, a powerful
gelding, glossy black save for one
white lock In his foretop. raised his
head; came trotting up the lot. The
big woodsman put bis arm about the
arched neck laid his face against the
glossy name and stroked the soft nose
Good oil Graylock 7" he muttered-
bound r free. L you mans a man"
A shadow subdued the bold frank
ness OF his face. as chance cloud
draws across fair field: he gazed !
hard at the wind-staggered skeleton |
of the unfinished farmhouse.
His rowing eye. following the glow
of approaching sunset. found the girl |
upon the rock. her plant body softly |
outlined against the silyer-green back
ground OF the woods.
'sTexie-w'y-T
In another moment he was racing |
I'D the cliff. The girl was waiting for 1
him by the outstanding pinnacle Of
sandstone. a half sadness In her eyes
that gradually subdued the eagerness
In his. He laid his big hand on her
shoulder: slid II down Der arm and
gathered her fingers 10 his great palm.
There was not eveL q twitch OF re-
Spouse. He dropped the fingers.
backed away a step and stood study
Ing her.
Jack DO y'u know what day
this isT'
He puzzled 10 ind the answer she
doubtless had In mind: finally ven
rured the only one he could think OF
Tuesday. May 10th. 1912"
She fared around at him. you
Know that air't what I mean"
The girl pointed 10 the carved
names on the monolitb Of sandstone.
he followed the motion; stepped past
Der and ran his hand over tie three
1ames, lingering an instant over the
middle one