The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-07-10

she kept the conversation steadily on
the smooth ground Of ordinary sub
jects Those topics which Rose in
cluded under the general, or rather
vague, head of "the sublime, the he
role, and MIR. Carlyle" served very
we'll for the FIVE or six miles of moder
atcly good road traversed before they
reached their destination.
81 believe we must alght here D
said Mr.. Devereux, drawing up his
horse on the summit Of Il hill, where
the road they had been following snd.
denly came to un end in tie midst OF
some rocks. you see the equest,i.
ans have dismounled," he went on,
pointing to several horses fastened
under the trees, ''and the best thing
we can DO is to follow their example.
Now"-aiter they had aliyhtcd-
''shail We make the descent"
"uad we not better wait for Mrs.
Reynolds 2" said Alice, who felt indo-
lent and ready to stay where she was,
at least for q time.
"The others have not waited for
u.s." said her companion, in reply to
this; 'and it is case Of every man
for himsefi in the matter Of descent
Mrs. Reynolds has three or four pco-
pie with her; but, even if she were
alone, am sure l could not render
assistance to any one beside yourself"
"Wuit and see if l need it," said
Alice, smiling. III am trained in the
matter Of mountain climbing, and the
only time l ever absolutely needed as
sistance was in ascending Mont Blanc.
That was terrible Is this the way
we go? Then lead on, and let. me see
if l cannot dispense with the assist
ance Of which you speak"
"You surely will not bo so unkihd
as to deprive me Of the pleasure of
it?" said he,I with great
deal OF scriousness1in his eyes, despite
the jest in his voice. .'''.#.f
L will make no rash resolutions"
she answered. "Lead on and let me
see."
Without another word, he obeyed,
leading the way along narrow path,
and, after moment, down al almost
precipiloto hiIl-sine. The way was
very winding, SO winding that it was
hardly possible to see more than a
1t p in advance, and Alice soon found
herself slipping and sliding from one
steep rock to another, with the least
possible amount Of personal vo!ition.
aud the least possible idea where shc
was going next. Before very long,
She came to a halt. w
81 think you will have to help me
over this place, Mr.. Dcvcreux,' She
said, liza hesitatiag voice.
And Mr.. DevereuX, who had been
isLcning with painful Intensity for
his sound, turned in an Instant.
II thought you would find it
'ough," lie said, as if apologiziny for
he roughness. Then. with thrill OF
pleasure, he took the small, glovcd
land outstretched to him, and care
iul y assisted her along the descent,
which momentarily became more diff
icut."
"Surely We must be nearly down
1ow," she said. at last; and, as she
spoke, they made sudden turn,
over some sharp rocks for
about twenty feet farther, and then
found themselves on smooth ground,
with the cascade before them.
Now there can be no doubt that
here are many cascades far more
,eautiiul than this, which was the
price and boast Of Northorpc. Still it
was beautiful enough to warrant
amount Of enthusiasm
from enthusiastic people. and bcauli-
i'll enough to startle Alice lnSlcsby
nlo silent admiration, when she came
lpor it thus. She had not expected
much. and it was with a 1eeli g of
that she found herself quite
taken by storm. Looking round, she
saw that they were in deep gorge
between the hills, or rather in II sort
Of basin, which at one end opened in
% 4 raviue. On the opposite side to
where they stood rose u stately hill
crowned TO the summit with foliage
Almost tropical in its luxuriance; On
he other, Il trowning cliff dark gray
'ock leaned far over, and threw its
lcep shadow down below. This Cliff
round in circular shape, aud,
where it met the green hill already
q small stream forced its
way between enormous moss.covered
rocks and sprang over the precipice,
spreading out at the bottom into
glossy pool that lay like sheet of
crystal ut Alicc's feet. AS it glided
away down the ravine, falling in min
lature cascades at every step, the
same stream filled the solitude with
the tittnl monotone of its voice, like q
poem Of Natures own singing.
After O. long silence, Mrs. Inglesby
turned to her companion. I've are
poorly off for adj djectiv,s," she said, cor
else we must use them too freely.
Beautiful seems to me q weak word
for all this lavish glory; yet what bet
ter word does the language afford?
Can you suggest one?"
There are good many" he ans
swered, "but they are all liable to the
same objection, We use. them for
lesser things, until they lose force and
are unfit to express our admiration Of
the greater. When you see u green
or q sunny hill side, Or
stretch Of sbadowy woods, what do
do you say2'
aGenerally how beautifully or else