The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1874-07-02
sxowISGON PILArUS.
fESSO DOUGLASS.

nlainlpg voice reused me from my read
ing. l glanced down the garden palE
10 Ehcrc the girl, Natalie, stood leaning
upon the stone terrace, with her chin
upeu her hands. She was looking away
to where Mount Pi!atus lifted tho snow
covered peaks against the clouds. A
mist covered the highest points OF the
mountain, by which VIC, down IN the
valley among the vines, knew that II
was showing up there.
aNatalic, Natalie !" came again the
sharp voice from the cottage window:
The girl down the path raised her head
and turned slowly towards tho house.
Natalie was only a pleasant girl, dress
cd IN the quaint costume OF the canton
--but her crimson skirt was fine and
soft, and the black velvet OF her bodice
heavy with dainty silver embroidcrics.
Rich, AtsS silver chains hung from her
shoulders and fastened at the points OF
her bodice. The linen that folded over
her bosom was delicately fine. Her
magnificent dark hair formed coronal,
fastened by bands of silver. Broad
buckles of silver decorated her small
though rudely made shoes. Picturesque,
indeed she looked, as she paused for q
moment at the porch, and, shading her
ewes with her hand, looked once again
toward Pilatus. Above the average
height, exquisitely proportioned-a
Madonna like face lighted up by pair
of huge, dusky eyes that could grow
misty with tears, or sparkle merrlly on
occasion. Now saw a new expression
in them-I could scarcely define the
look-fear, sorrow, pain, seemed to be
mingled there.
aNata.ie.w called the voice Of the in
valid within, again, this time more
pleading than severe.
81 am coming, matrina," answered
the girl, entering the doorway.
ooh, Natalie" cried the old woman
in q mourning voice that reached me
through the open door, it is showing on
Pilatus, l know, or you would have
answered me long ago. Will You never
forget"
ayes, martina, it is showing up there ;
forgive me for ncglccting you. but can
not help watching it. Would heaven l
could forget" The girls voice was full
of sad pathos, and letting my book tall
from my listies hands, l tell 10 wonder
ing what romance, or, probably, super
xtition, was connected with the snow
storms Of the mountain. l had been
lounging here tor four weeks now,
opposite demonstrating the hills
or making little voyages about on the
four lakes. Many quaint legend had
been told in their odd pdtois, tina, l 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 q dark, stagnant sheet OF
water, and there, from Judea, came the
conscious-stricken Pontius PLATE to
commit suicide, which he did very prop
crly-but he can never rest, and just
before the terrible storms which sweep
down from the mountain, his spirit is
seen by the hunters who may chance to
be in the vicinity of this unholy pool,
to rise from the water and wash his
hands, evidently in great distress Of
mind. The only drawback TO the story
was the old mans adding solemly that
none who saw this apparition escaped
death in the storm that was sure TO fol-
low. Not much encouragement to 60
up for the purpose Of seeing PLATE.
"Will tho Herr Freunder join us in
partaking vcsper bread :" said the pleas
ant voice of Natalie at my side.
started from my revcrie, and follow
ed her into the long, low living room
where the evening meal was spread.
The invalid greeted me with her gen.
tie, dignified "Greetlngs, sir guest" a
title she always bestowed upon me.
ignoring all others. often wondered
how my hostess managed to give her
voice SO sharp tone, as she occasionally
did, after hearing her greet me.
Soon after tie close of the meal the old
lady rose to retire, bidding me good
night. wandered ont into the garden
again, to enjoy tho moonlight and
cigar. Softly across the water from
Luccrne foated the sound of bells. The
voices of happy singers on the lake
reaching my ear. Pilatus rose cold,
white, ghostly in the moonlight. En-
tranced by the almost unearthly beauty
of the scene before me, l stretched my
solf upon a garden seat near the en-.
trance to enjoy it.
Suddenly | was started by hearing a
long scbbing sigh near me. Looking
up, saw Natalie leaning her arms up
on the terrace rs had seen her in tho
afternoon. She was again watching the
snow-storm on Pilatus. Rising, 1 went
TO her side:
"iood-evcning, Natalie! Why so sad,
Freundchen ?"
She raised her large eyes; they were
full of sorrow and pain.
at SHOWS tonight on Pilatus," she
answered, TREMENDOUSLY.
"But why should it GROVE you: Will
you not tell me-"
To my surprise she dropped her head
upon the stone work and gave way to a
stormy, passionate burst of tears. /
did not speak or strive to comfort her 4
few moments. She was sobbing out
some grief long pent up. Presently l
took her hand and led her to the seat
hid just LETT and as she grew calmer, l
said.
"Come, Natalie, little friend, confide
in me tell me what grief is so troubl-
ing your young heart"