The Maid of the Mountain — page 78: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

80 THE MAID OP THE MOUNTAIX. and I should be wanting in gratitude not to lofe you for “That is not the love I crave,” said the chief, quickly. “TI want you for my wife Iam not anold man. I was forty-two years old yesterday. For sixteen years I have watched you, and have seen you unfold in beauty like a flower, and have kept in heart the purpose of oné day making you my wife.” “Oh, Arthur; I cannot, can not be that.” | “Be careful, Inez!” he said, somewhat fiercely. But in- stantly he changed his tone. “See what a brute I am, darling. I have frightened my bird. Sit down by me, Inez, and I will tell you sumething I have promised to tell you—the story of your early life,” She drew a chair to his side and sat down, evidently afraid of him. ‘ “ At twenty-three years of age,” said the chief, “I was an outlaw. No matter what my crime, it was enough to incar- cerate me for life within the walls of a prison. In the prison I learved two things—how to suffer and how to inflict suffer- ing. I learned what it was to be pitilees toward my fellow- man. I went into that prison, grieving like a boy as I was over the ruined hopes of my life. I came outa man with crushed hopes, ruined in reputation, bearing a life as useless to others as to myself.” “Poot Arthur. Did you stay lohg in prison ?” “Not I. Before a year had passed I broke my bonds and escaped. [ went on board a whaler bound for the northera seas. The captain did not use me well, and at San Francisco I deserted. Icould not stay in the cities. Iwas sick of © them. I had notbing from them but sorrow and toil. The free breath of the sierras was the thing for me. For two years I lived asa hunter of deer and small game. I hail a cabin in Murderer’s Cafion. Do you know where it was built ? I will tell yeu. It stood upon the ruins of your father's home.” “My father ! Did you know my father?” . “No, Inez. I never saw liim. I will tell you how it hap- pened. A year before Icame to Murderers Cafion, your father lived there with your mother and you, a year-old babe. He-had an enemy who found him out, and killed him, but comclbooks.com