The Mountain Girl by Emma Payne Erskine Chapter 11 Page 23

like he did, but the Lord called me back and laid a hard thing on me, and I must do it. But in my heart I can keep separate like father did.”

She rose and stood calmly, her eyes fixed on the mountain. David stood near and longed to touch her passive hand — to lift it to his lips — but forebore to startle her soul by so unusual an act. For all she had given him a confidence she had never bestowed on another, he felt himself held aloof, her spirit withdrawn from him and lifted to the mountain top.