The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-08


day, would the caverns retain their form
As le prisons cracked and parted above
might not the icy walls below crumble
and fall. ai=A'H o I
Il was useless for Marie to speak of
her mention. So mad scheme would
lead to her forcible detention. Leaving
the company, without attracting notice,
5 le gathered a few simple appliances
which she regarded as necessary, and
then rapidly stole off to the mouth of
the glacier. =
As she first passed under that Icy arch
the chill struck her, and, for moment,
fear possessed her. The contest was
brief, for the appeal Of love was irresist-
ible. ,LNiH ~ Iu.tsl. .s.if
Onward she crept in this frightful re-
cess. The semi-translucent mass pro-
vided her with some light as she slowly
made her way. 1t was no easy path in
deed. The sharp edges lacerated her
flesh. The cold, white stream, that
flowed through the glacier, fed from the
SHOWS above, and the partial melting of
the ice-rock through which it ran, was no
agreeable route for the maiden. Thor
oughly wet, and miserably chilled, she
had to struggle on. ..
But there were other trials. Now and
then the passage was so small as not 10
admit her person, though she lay in the
stream. She had prepared for this by
bringing small hatchet. With this she
often had to cut her way, or widen a
breach.
Had she been removed from q sense of
peril, or unabsorbed by so deep sorrow,
there would have been much to interest
and delight her mind. Beauties thronged
on every side. As the light pierced
through the ice or descended the crevasses
from above, it revealed gems of marvel
Gus charms, and disclosed colors of gor-
geous kinds. Fancy might people some
chambers with genii of wondrous nature.
Green and blue of various shades softened
the brilliancy of the white. Occasionally
the roof rose, arching over her, and the
stalactites were as pendant diamonds.
Crystals of beauty thronged places
as the fretwork of Gothic cathedral.
But poor Marie had no eye for Ma
lures loveiness, and no ears for her most
seraphic harmonies, while her thoughts
were concentrated upon the rescue of her
brother She needed them not, but
pressed onward.
At last, when well nigh sinking with
despair, and almost yielding to the tor
por which intense cold brings upon the
brain, she heard low moan. At once
her frame received new impulse of en-
ergy. She rushed forward, overcoming
all obstacles. In few minutes she dis
covered the apparently lifeless body of
Henri. Restoratives were applied, and
his eyes opened upon the faithful girl.
What a greeting Of love from the ice
grave. o.: -.....,.,,
Ne time was to be lost. Memeutarily
strengthened by the cordial to his lips,
he told hasty tale. He spoke of his all
his consternation--hi sudden agony.
Unable to rise and thrown forward by a
shelving block, which partially broke his
fall, he knew no hope of escape, unless
an adventurous friend would suffer him
self to be lowered by rope to his assist
ance. He told not of his suffering on
her accountable mental anguish he en-
dured at the thought of her distress.
! In brief words she referred to the clos
ing of the chasm above and of her pass
age up the caverns of the glacier, with
er she now prepared to lead him.
Alas! both of his legs were fractured.
1t was no time for grief. The brave
girl bound up his limbs with portions Of
her garments, entreated him to take
some refreshments, and then arranged
for departure ..,
The first agony Of movement brought
deep groan from the young man. But
he restrained himself Immediately, and
supporting himself on one arm, suffered
Marie to drag him forward by the other
Frightful were his sufferings as he thus
passed slowly along the narrow, tortuous
passages, with his fractured limbs con
stantly striking against the rude ice-rock
Marie's strength was renewed, and
the vigorous powers OF mountain
maiden were needed indeed. There were
times when the space permitted her to
carry him in her arms; but more often
she could but draw him after her through
the low tunnel. The same difficulties
which she before encountered were now
to he met under more embarrassing cir
cumstances. The only advantage was
the descent instead of the ascent.
All went on we'll for a time, though
the progress was exceedingly slow, and
the strength of both parties was rapidly
ebbing forth. At length loud, crack.
ing noise WAS heard, and, Immediately
afterward, a huge mass Of ice fell for
ward near them, completely blocking uE
the path. The water, for time staid in
its course, threatened their destruction
but it eventually formed for itself an
other opening.
In vain did the courageous girl deal
blow after blow upon the barrier. Nc
entrance could be gained. They were
imprisoned indeed in death chamber
They resigned themse11ns to their end
They embraced in sfl ice, and calmly
waited their fate. They had at least the
comfort of dying with each other. But
with sudden thought, Marie sprung uf
again. As all devolved upon her, she
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