Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-01-26
Showing on Pilatus.

planning voice reused me from my read
ing. l glanced down the garden-path
to where the girl, Natalie. stood leaning
upon the stone terrace, with her chin
upon her hands. She was looking away
to where Mount Pilatus lifted its snow
covered peaks against the clouds. A mist
covered the highest points of the mount
ain, by which we, down in the valley
among the vines, knew that it was snow
ing up there.
Natalie. Natalie p came again the
sharp voice from the cottage window.
The girl down the path raised her head
and turned slowly toward the house.
Natalie was Gully peasant girl. dress
| ed in the quaint costume of canton
but her crimson skirt was fine and soft,
and the black velvet of her bodice heavy
with dainty silver embroiderles. Rich,
heavy silver chains hung from her shoul-
ders and fastened at the points of her
bodice The linen that folded over her
bosom was delicately fine Her magnif-
cent dark hair formed coronal, fasten-
ed by bands of silver. Broad buckles
of silver decorated her small though
rudely made shoes. Picturesque. indeed
she looked, as she paused for moment
at the porch, and shading her eyes with
her hand, looked once again toward Pi-
latus- Above the average height. exqui-
sitely proportloned-a Madona-hke face
lighted by pair Of large, dusky eyes.
that could grow misty with tears, or
sparkle merrily on occasion Now L saw
new expression in them-I could not
define the LOOKOUT fear. sorrow. pain,
seemed to be mingled there.
Natalie = called the voice of the in
valid within, again, this time more
pleading than severe.
Il am coming. matrina," answered
the girl. entering the doorway.
..Oh, Natalie" cried the old woman
I in moaning voice that reached me
through the open door, 1T is showing
on Pilatus, know, or you would have
answered me long ago Will you never
forget ?"
"Yes, matrina, it is showing up there
forgive NE for neglecting you. but can
not help watching it. Would heaven 1
could forget - The girls voice was
full of sad pathOs, and letting ny book
slip from my istless hands, l fell to
wondering what romance, or, probably.
superstition, was connected with the
snow storms Of the mountain. | had
been lounging here for four weeks now,
opposite Lueerne-climbins the hills or
making little voyages about on the four
lakes. Many quaint legend had been
told me in these few weeks by the peas
ants-told in their odd way, that 1 was
puzzled to understand. Only yesterday.
an old man, while rowing me across the
lake. told me how, up among the peaks
of Pilatus is dark, stagnant sheet Of
water, and there, from Judea. came the
conscience-stricken Pontius Plate to com
NIT suicide, which he did very properly
but he can never rest. and just before
the terrible storms that sweep down the
: mountain, his spirit is seen by the hunt
ers who may chance to be in the vicinity
of this unholy pool. to rise from the va
ter and wash its hands, evidently il
great distress of mind The only draw
back to the story was the old mans add
ing solemnly. that none who saw thi
apparition escaped death in the storm
that was sure to follow. Not much en-
! couragement to 90 up for the purpose o
seeing PLATE
: "Will the Herr Freunder join US il
: partaking vesper-bread ?" said the pleas
ant voice Of Natalie at my side.
/ started from my reyerie, and follow
ed her into the long. low living-roou
- where the evening meal was spread.
!, The invalid greeted me with her gen
I tie, dignifed, Greetings. sir guest ~
. title she always bestowed upon me. ig
noring all other. often wondered ho,
t my old hostess managed TO give he
It voice so sharp tone. as she occasional
e ly did, after hearing her greet me.
Soon after the close of the meal tn
l old lady rose to retire. bidding me good
night. l wandered out into the garde
5 again. to enjoy the moonlight and ci
:, gar. Softly across the water from Lu
T cerne foated the sound Of bells. Tn
: voices of happy singers on the lax
!. reached my car. Pilatus rose cold. whit
and ghostly in the moonlight. EntranC
e ed by the almost unearthly beauty of th
a scene before me. | stretched myself upo
= = a garden-seat near the terrace to enjoy i
= Suddenly l was startled by hearing
e long, sobbing sigh near me. Looking u
ie l saw Natalie leaning her arms upon Ii
terrace as had seen her in the aftel
ie noon She was again watching the sno
IS storm On Pilatus Rising, | went I
y her side
r Good evening, Natalie Why s
n sad, Freundchen ?'
d She raised her large eyes they wei
full Of SORROW and pain.
!: ..It SHOWS tonight on Pilatus." d