The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-09-07

penetrable, the way more difficult
and, but for the dash and song of
waterfall which proclaimed itsel
near, Fannie would have turned
back weary and frightened.
But with last effort she forced
her way through a perfect portculli
of green, and with an exclamation
half of fear and half OF delight
paused, painting and breathless, up
on the brink of a circular pool 0
dark green water, which seemed Il
be the heart out of which glided tn,
little stream that had guided he
thither.
Into this pool from a rocky heigh
there glided a waterfall of foamins
whiteness, like the veil OF bride
broken into little threads or ribbons
here and there by sharp iuttins
rocks.
Almost inadvertently Fannie star
tied back with an exclamation o
dread as she glanced down into thu
pit of fathomless waters. Then as
she stood regarding the scene il
grew upon her in beauty and gran
deur until she clapped her hands
with delight, and whispered:
"Oh ! was there ever anything sc
lovely and yet so terrible ?"
Up the rocky sides of the preci-
pice, curved as bowl, over which
came the waterfall, grew MOSES and
trailing vines, gnarled, knotted, and
winding in and out of the broken
ledges in fantastic twistings and
turnings. Low down at the Drinks
of the pool ran a narrow pathway
formed by a slight, shelly projection
of the rock and terminating in an
out-jutting platform, upon which
the parasite creepers had fastened
their roots and by freak of nature
fashioned themselves into a rude
chair, and which Mr.. Hobbs had
described as that of his satanic ma
lesty.
"And so, she whispered in awe,
this is the resting place of the sui
phorous king, or, better still, that OF
his spouse, Prcsepine."
Then she fell to wondering if she
would traverse the little shelf and
seat herself in the inviting resting
place. The suggestion nerved her
to try and do so. and with the aid of
her alpenstock, and clinging to the
roots and tendrills of the vines, she
slowly accomplished her desire and
sat upon the curious rustic chair.
Looking down into the green water
over which she was literally sus-
pended, awe stricken, and then
glancing upward she saw the sun
light dancing amid the thick foliage
far above and wondered if even a
chance ray ever penetrated the ST.
lent depths.
As these thoughts fitted through
her mind single arrow-like beam
of golden light shot downward to
her feet and cleaned in the water
beneath as dazzling ruby in an
emerald setting. With one hand
clinging to her stout staff and one
white arm linked into vines she sat
and rested until chilled and damp
ened by the spray of the waters.
Then she determined to retreat from
the dangerous position and return
home. But upon regaining her feet,
still clingirg to her support, a low,
rumbling, cracking sound broke
upon her ear, mingling with that of
the leaping waters, and the next in
slant the entire ledge gave way and
the affrighted girl found herself sus-
pended above that awful gulf with
out foothold, save the smallest pos
sible space.
Involuntarily she shriked for aid f;
but the noise of the rushing, foam
ing waters drowned her voice as
as if her white lips had
closed and mute.
Thoughts of loved ones, the shell.
ter and safety of home, and the fear
full death that awaited her-perhaps
that when she could hold on no
longer and she had fallen into that
inky pool, nothing would be left to
tell the tale that there she had found
a grave, and searching ones would
never have an answer 20 the question
as to the mystery of her fate, forced
themselves upon her.
Lik torrent the flood gates of
her tears broke forth aid SO exhaust
ed her that she came near falling,
but nerving herself she clung to her
sweet young life as long as she could.
Her sobbing ceased, and with up
lifted gaze toward the calm, blue
stripe Of summer sky, she breathed
a prayer for help or strength to die,
if such was the viii of the Creator.
Then as if inspired by faith she
sang a vers of the "Rock of Ages"
and never were sweeter notes blend
ed with that leaping, dancing water
fall, though hundreds of blythe
had We'd with each other
in anthems of praise of the Divine
Architect of the grand old rock and
hills.
Softly rose the trembling voice
filed with soul melody higher,
deeper and vet clearer swelled the
notes until the very air vibrated
with the anthem of vocal prayer,
''other refuge have l none,
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee"
and the full lips and pure young
face grew transcendantly beautiful
with its conceptions of the Almighty
and His love and tender care of all
His creatures.
Then. even as voice and clinging
limbs were losing all their strength
something came falling down from
above with the boiling foam and
drifted out with the black waters of
the pool. Venturing one down.
ward glance she saw a hat of rough
straw floating upon the water, and
glancing swiftly upward with terror
and Joy caught glimpse Of man
slowly Ginning down the face of the
terrible cliff, clinging, slipping,
trusting to strong hands, heroically
coming to her rescue or to share
death with her. But everything
swan before her eyes, and as the