Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-08-10

rents, nor Mr., Edwards, the clergyman,
who had come over expressly to perform
the marriage ceremony, seemed to attach
any Importance to the panic among the
coolies.
''It was something exclaimed Mr..
Warren, about Alp Dagh, the Big Noun
tain, at the foot Of which we lived, but
have been planter here too long to care
for the prattle of coolies. They are like
children who talk of the nursery ghost
until they see 1t in every corner. A de-
lightful life should have led had been
credulous."
And with that he dismissed the subject
and the evening passed genially enough.
Later on, however, after whispered fare
we'll to my sweet Edith in the porch,
draped with the glistening leaves and big
white blossoms of the Indian creeper, af-
ter the ride home to my own dwelling
among the hills, and with my head rest
ing on its pillow. vague sense of inse-
curity beset me afresh; and even when I
fell asleep my dreams were troubled and
sad, not such as should visit the slumber
of one on whom the world smiled as it
did on me, George Musgrave. The dawn
ing of the new day-my wedding day
however, chased away the clouds from
my mind. and when | mounted my horse
to ride to Yirmi Sou, attired as BRIDE
groom should be, my heart was light and
full of happy hope: Edith loved me bet
ter than deserved, I knew that; and 1t
was her fathers intention to establish the
young couple on his fine plantation, while
Mr.. and Mrs. Warren returned to Eng
land to enjoy their we'll earned compe-
tency.
The day was fne-no rarity in the
East-but sort Of silvery haze hung
over the peaks northwards, and there
were frequent gusts of ice-cold wind
rushing down frsm gap and pass in the
rocky range that forms the rocky bound
ary of India. rode on, and presently
from an angle in the mountain road I
caught a glimpse of the Twenty Springs
as Mr.. Warren's thriving station was
called, with its gardens and meadows,
and the now deserted plantation, and the
empty huts of the coolies. Then I turned
the corner and saw it no more; but even
as it vanished from my eyes I heard
strange, d ep sound, like that of distant
thunder, the nature OF which could net
divine. My horse suddenly snorted and
reared, and then stood trembling, and
could scarcely be urged forward. While
l was in the act of STOPPING forward to
pat the Arabs glossy neck, speaking
soothingly to him the while. there broke
upon ear a sudden roar, louder, nearer
at each instant, and eliminating IN a
crash so dreadful that the simultaneous
discharge of thousand cannon would
have seemed puny when compared with
1t.
Deafened, dizzy and confused, 1 dis
mounted from my frightened horse, now
wholly unmanageable, and hurried to a
spot, when, as remember, Edlth's home
was In sight. The air was thick with
dust and withered leaves, but as the pros
pect grew clearer could see no trace of
the bungalow, of its homesteads and gar
dens, Or Of the thriving tea-plantations
and verdant meadows around it. Valnly
did strain my eyes to catch one we'll
known feature of the familiar scene.
Nothing was visible save dreary y aste
OF stones, mud and rocks, filling up half
the valley, and above which hung cloud
OF taeny dust that was slowly subsiding.
AS stood stupidity gazing on the scene
of ruin, caught sight of man bare
headed, and with a scared, white face. I
knew HIM. 1t was the young clergyman
who had come over from Nynee Tai to
perform the marriage ceremony between
Edith and me.
"Mr. Edwards2" said, inquiringly, as
neared him.
He caught my hand, covered his face,
and burst into tears. Then for the first
time realized what fear vas.
''For PHYS sake, tell me ALI" cried l,
hoarsely. sis Miss Warren-is Edith
safe? What has
'"Of all beneath that roof-the roof of
Mr. Warren's hospitable house, alone
am spared" answered tho clergyman in
broken accents. ''Death, the grim mower,
has earned in his harvest there.'
The cause Of the disaster was but too
evident. A stone avalanche, or maorasne,
as it is called in Switzerland, had rushed
down from the unscaled Heights of the
huge mountain towering above Yirmi
Sou, and had overwhelmed all beneath it.
IL caught glimps OF Miss Warren in
the garden as the stony flood burst on us
with its deafening roar,'' said the clergy
man as he grew calmer; cit may by that
Gods mercy has spared her life, too"
And, indeed, ! ave much to be thank
full for since my dear Edith was found,
faintlng, but unhurt, at the foot of tall
cedar, the only tree left standing, ~edged
in bet cen fallen roc. 8. But the other
inmates Of the house had persisted, nor
were even their bodies ever extric ted
from the mighty mausoleum which ma
lures own hand had piled above them.
Edith and have been married this
five years, but our home is in England,
not in India; and sometimes when l see
shadow come across my ife's tair face,
! know she is thin ing of those no sleep
below the cruel stones at Yirml Sou.