THE MOUNTAIN HOMEFar up on the mountain-side stood alone in the clearing. It was roughlyyet warmly built. Behind it jagged cliffs broke the north wind, andtowered gray-white in the sunshine. Before it a tiny expanse of greensloped gently away to a point where the mountain dropped in anothersharp descent, wooded with scrubby firs and pines. At the left afootpath led into the cool depths of the forest. But at the right themountain fell away again and disclosed to view the picture David lovedthe best of all: the far-reaching valley; the silver pool of the lakewith its ribbon of a river flung far out; and above it the grays andgreens and purples of the mountains that climbed one upon another'sshoulders until the topmost thrust their heads into the wide dome ofthe sky itself.There was no road, apparently, leading away from the cabin. There wasonly the footpath that disappeared into the forest. Neither, anywhere,was there a house in sight nearer than the white specks far down in thevalley by the river.Within the shack a wide fireplace dominated one side of the main room.It was June now, and the ashes lay cold on the hearth; but from thetiny lean-to in the rear came the smell and the sputter of baconsizzling over a blaze. The furnishings of the room were simple, yet, ina way, out of the common. There were two bunks, a few rude butcomfortable chairs, a table, two music-racks, two violins with theircases, and everywhere books, and scattered sheets of music. Nowhere wasthere cushion, curtain, or knickknack that told of a woman's taste ortouch. On the other hand, neither was there anywhere gun, pelt, orantlered head that spoke of a man's strength and skill. For decorationthere were a beautiful copy of the Sistine Madonna, several photographssigned with names well known out in the great world beyond themountains, and a festoon of pine cones such as a child might gather andhang.From the little lean-to kitchen the sound of the sputtering suddenlyceased, and at the door appeared a pair of dark, wistful eyes."Daddy!" called the owner of the eyes.There was no answer.