Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-16

centric man; - full Of learning - an eggs full
Of meat, but no common sense, not . grain
Poor Jane died when Janet WAS born. She
wasn't married above year. and lost sight Of
Mr.. Norton and the little one. He was not Of
our sort, but related to the grand folks. and SO
brought up his daughter after his own fashion.
However, he died at a most inconvenient time.
sir. Janet was seventeen, and he didn't leave
her penny, but debts in plenty. He wasn't
bad man either; but, there, it's not our way Of
providing for children. WE'LL the grand people
didn't want Janet when they saw how she was
left, and when heard of it / came forward.
settled up the fathers affairs and then offered
Janet home. Iwasn't at all the thing. and
wanted some one to look after me. So Janet
came. and a better girl there can't be- though
she never gets used to our ways quite. As the
doctor ord cred me here, faucied We should
be merrier coming with Mr.. Cooks party: but
it's not her way. She seems a deal happier with
me alone, up in these quiet parts"
was deeply interested in hearing all this
After all, was not mistaken; Janet was a lady.
and had been brought up as one
"Where is Miss Morton nOw?" asked
Well. she ought to be in, for she went up the
mountain some time ago. to see the sun set. or
something. She needed some fresh air, | told
her, for really last night she seemed quite
moped."
rose, saying that as Mr. Smith was anxious,
would go in quest Of his niece. Before he
could refuse. fastened away
More than half way up the mountain was COW
cred with short turf, at first intemixed with
flowers and brushwOod. Then these ceased and
one came upon overgrown boulders and loose
stones, enlivened by the Alpine rose. Further
up again vegetation ceased entirely, and the
mountain crest rose in bare ruggedness in the
sky. Janet would certainly not have reached
to that region. She must be seeing the sun set
from some grassy slope, for the sky was cloud
less. fastened on. But found the climbing
much more difficult than expected not having
waited to provide myself with an alpenstoek I
planted my nailed boots firmly into the turf, and
progressed steadily.
At last reached kind Of ledge, or hollow.
and turning round for a moment. beheld the
great snow range of the Mont Blanc, and further
back the ST. Bernard group flooded IN the won
derful crimson glow well known to Swiss travel
lers, perfect earthly Paradise. Was Janet see
ing it too? l felt sure she would appreciate it.
But where was she; had l missed her? Above
me rose very steep bit of climbing and over
that another ledge.
Suddenly saw, high above me- the flutter of
dress. could not quite distinguish who it
was, yet felt sure it must be Janet. I waved
my arm, and then, whether she was startled or
whether she slipped over something. know
not, but at that minute saw her fall She made
violent effort to save herself but let 90 her al
penstOck, which rolled rapidly away from her.
Then, losing all control over her movements. she
half slipped, half rolled down the fearful de-
clivity
was some way off Also she was not lust
above me, but somewhat to the right, where no
second ledge would stop her course. In an in
slant made up my mind. rushed on as fast as
possible in downward direction to the right. In
this way might perhaps reach some point where
could stop her descent. If not she might be
killed or seriously injured by striking against
some boulder. flew on. keeping my ewes on
her. Now and then she was partially stopped
by some small impeachment. but again precipi-
tated downward by the struggles she made to re-
gain her footing.
1t takes long to describe but it did not take
many moments to reach a shot below. only Just
in time to catch at her dress. But alas! l had
not had time to secure my own footing: was
dragged by her weight and fell, still retaining
my grasp, however violent effort in which
every muscle of my body seemed to be eXerted
and then managed to cling to the ground. and
throwing out my left arm ciutched at boulder.
We were saved no fear now of again slipping,
for, curiOusly enough. against this very boulder
Janets apenstOck had been caught. l secured
it, and planting it firmly in the ground, man
aged to raise Janet. she was for a few mo-
ments quite stunned, but happily had not
tainted. Very soon she looked up and recog-
niZed me.
'Thank YOU" she said simply; at was so very
horrid going down like that and not being able
to stop oneself" She shuddered little, then
with great effort she rose but was trembling
too much to walk alone. She was thus forced
to take hold of my arm and we proceeded very
Slowly Will tue dIu Vi Tile alpeiiStOCk. 40
think l objected at all to this state Of things;
felt so proud of having been of use to her; SO
proud of having her hand on my arm.
Before we had reached the end of the slope she
was forced to sit down and rest, and then was
able to say few words.
Z" cannot imagine how you yentured sohigh-
and alone too"
Il was led on further than meant to 60; it
seemed easy to climb Besides, everything was
so beautiful
~J,% lox- &oll
Aigle last night" said suddenly in an injured
tone. Janet looked up with smile.
- | did not see the use" she replied.
" But if I said that saw the use?''
" Then you should not; you must not say that
Oh, Mr.. Hunter. indeed YOU should not have
is u.s. for though have been brought up else
where, yet my uncle has been very good to me
so very good that in future his home shall be my
nome and his people my people"
was deeply touched by Janet's noble nature;
it only made me feel how infinitely superior she
was to myself and that her heart agreed with
her outward appearance
We were obliged to proceed Janet fearing her
uncle would be anxious. We found him in a
long corridor the end of which had been given
up to him, it being quieter than the common sit
ting-rOOm Janet went up to him in a gentle
afectiOnate manner, as he anxiOusly asked what
had delayed her.
Dear uncle, I missed my footing and-I
think Mr.. Hunter saved my life.''
Mr.. Smith poured forth profuse thanks and in
quires so that was forced to spend the evening
with them, whereupon found out what kind,
sensible man Janet's uncle was. How was it 1
could ever have thought him a troublesome
neighbour? When he retired to rest was left
few minutes with Janet.
II hope you will believe in future that 1 am
willing to be of use, Miss Morton-and that l
shall not find you gone when wake up to-mor-
row morning."
This time Janet was not repelling in her
voice.
perhaps it would be better if We found you
gone"
viii you let me be the judge3" and as she
did not answer l need hardly say that l did not
pack up my portmanteau that night. All nv
doubts and misgivings had flown away. loved
Janet, and fancied that this evening she was
not quite so Indifferent to NE.
had Just fallen into a sound slumber that
night when was reused by a loud knocking at
my door. "Would get up and come to MIR.
Smith at once?" 1 hurried on my clothes and
was soon at Mr.. Smiths door, where Janet met
me, looking pale and frightened.
oh, Mr.. Hunter, forgive me for sending for
you, but you said went in to give my uncle
some medicine at o'clock, and / called him,
but he did not move. fear he has tainted"
went in with her tn hpr IInclo's room. Tho