290 



(JI.EANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



Apr. 15. 



Gimp sat in the dark, lis<^euing to his own 

 heart-beats so long that he became drowsy, and- 

 finally fell asleep. Alfaretta was escorted to 

 the valley's entrance through this very intri- 

 cate and obscure passage. Silently each one of 

 the escort glided along. Dr. Hayden had met 

 them at a point some distance out, and guided 

 their movements. When he found Gimp asleep 

 he stood beside him. motioning the rest to pass. 

 All had entered the dark passage under the 

 rock, and Dr. Haydeti was about to leave Gimp 

 when the latter sprang to his feet and was about 

 to shout. The doctor's strong hand was placed 

 over his mouth, and he too was hurried into 

 the passage. But Gimp was strong and active, 

 and, getting advantage of the doctor, he shout- 

 ed at the top of his voice, •' Help! help!" His 

 mouth was this time bandaged, and the great 

 rock fell to its place with a crash, and Gimp 

 was lost to his companions. 



They heard the shout, and the crash of the 

 rock; but the keenest search failed to reveal 

 the least trace of poor Gimp. 



In the morning Alfaretta's saddle was found 

 half a mile down the valley; but neither Jack 

 nor the rider was to be found. 



Prof. Buell's feelings can better be imagined 

 than described, and he was not consoled by the 

 tales of Slim Jim and young Armstrong, for 

 they painted the mysterious man of Crystal 

 Mountain in hideous colors. 



For several days the mountain passes were 

 searched as they had never been before. Prof. 

 Buell even essayed to cross that terrible obsid- 

 ian barrier, but with only one result— deep 

 gashes in his feet and legs. He finally gave up 

 the search, and returned to his home, with a 

 sad heart, but with the hope that is always in 

 the heart of a Christian— that all will be well. 



In the morning, when Fred Anderson heard 

 the well-known song, and realized that Alfa- 

 retta was in the valley, he quickly sprang down 

 the terrace and was at her side. 



"Alfaretta!" said he with deep emotion. 



"Ah! this is Fred Anderson," said she; "my 

 mermaids told me where to find you — away, 

 away up the sunny mountain. We will part 

 nevermore— nevermore." 



" Oh that she were sane, how gladly would I 

 listen to such a prophecy!" said Fred half 

 aloud. " But, Alfaretta"— but Fred was inter- 

 rupted by the approach of one of the squaws, 

 who said, "Neo-a-ho a am in cabin. Him feel 

 bad. He no like white squaw. You best see 

 Neo a-ho a;" and she turned an obsequious 

 attention to Alfaretta, who led the way up the 

 terrace, singing her song and collecting the 

 beautiful flowers that hung in profusion on 

 every hand. 



Fred hastened to the doctor's cabin. The 

 latter sat in deep abstraction. He noted not 

 Fred's entrance. Tears were flowing from his 

 eyes. 



" Doctor." said Fred, gently; but there was 

 no movement. Fred realized that something 

 of unusual interest was upon the mind of his 

 friend, and he stepped softly out of the cabin 

 again and strolled down to the little stream 

 that ran through the valley. Upon nearing a 

 clump of oaks he heard Sam talking in a con- 

 soling way to some one. " Now, honey, you 

 shouldn't cry. You's in de mos beautiful val- 

 ley in de whole world. See de red posies, de 

 blue posies; see de rocks, de trees, de sparklin' 

 Wis-tonwe; and jus' see me, de brack posy." 



"Darn ye and yer posies, yer dirty Injuns 

 an' yer squaws. Le'me go, will yer?" and 

 there was a struggle. 



" Why, Gimp Dawson," said Fred, as he 

 hastened through the bushes. " Gimp, you 

 here? Sam, what have you tied that rope 

 around him for? '" 



" You see. Mister Fred, this young kid wants 

 ter own dis hyar whole valley. He's had more'n 

 forty tantrums this mornin'. I spect he's got 

 to be reconciled." 



"le'me go, will yer?" 



" Well, Sam, take off the rope. Here, Gimp, 

 you know I am your friend. Alfaretta and 

 you and I are all in this valley now, and we 

 must make the best of it until we can get out. 

 Sam is a good fellow, and will treat you well." 



" Don't want nuffin' to do with the nigger," 

 said Gimp. 



"Don't hurt yer feelin's a callin' me names, 

 honey. Tain't de color ob de skin dat makes 

 de man; it's de actions. But, Mister Fred," 

 said Sam. suddenly, "I wish ye'd go up to de 

 cabin an' rouse de doctor; he eats no breakfas', 

 an' sits a gloamin' an' gloamin'. Dis hyar 

 white gal has a strange effec' upon him. Jes 

 as he was a joicin' about a bachelor's paradise 

 dis gal pops in to spile it." 



After giving Gimp some further advice, and 

 telling him to see that rfo barm came to Alfa- 

 retta, he again w'ent to the doctor's cabin. 



" Doctor," said he, bruskly, as he entered, " I 

 see that you have visitors this morning." 



"Yes, yes," said the doctor, slowly; "we 

 have visitors, a visitor, and, Fred, do you know 

 the lady in white? " 



