Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-03-21
Gales arto Sketebes.
An ALPINE HONEYMOON.

sake-they do look so dangerous. Promise
me, dear-1 should be so frightened while
YOU are away"
Walter laughed lightly.
why, Elsie. darling, think how often
have been upon them. and have come
back safely. I've done-let me see-I
think Al of the big peaks and passes
there's no real danger. Besides, only
want to do one more, and that the last
promise you that One Of the few that
haven't done is that Hochnadelhorn; You
can just see him from here-isn't he fine
fellow? | started for him twice, and was
turned back by weather. But it's fine
now, and could do him easily. He's the
only big one left that have not yet done.
I'm sure that there is always danger.
Walter; and, though you have done 50
many safely. you might have some
serious accident at last. You have had
one or two little accidents. YOU know; and
that Alpine book that was reading in the
hotel-Alpine Accents and Adventure
says that there always is danger; and that
danger is part OF Alpine JOY. do wish
you wouldn't 60. dear. Please don't,
Walterr'
'Oh. Elsie. how you will laugh when
come back all right. And then won't you
people talk Of your husbands ascent Of
the Hochnadelhorn Mind-it will he my
last ascent So do let me 90 this once.
Elsie. darling; won't you?''
"Oh. Walter. don't know what to
say
don't say anything. my Elsie. ;" replied
Walter, Introducing kiss into the argu-
ment "By the way. I'm sorry that
al Mol.
but Hans Bergman, who is here, il good
enough. and I've spoken to him. He
thinks the weather will do and he'll engage
another man, young Franz. local guide,
and porter. | leave that to Hans. Don't
be afraid dear It's all right. Your hus-
band is an old mountaineer. and has been
held To be a good one. Probably | shall
only be away one night; and Mrs. Scy
mour will keep you company
30 spoke Walter Grey with his fair
wife, Elsie.
They were on their wedding tour in
Switzerland-Elsie had never been there,
but Walter had been for some years an ar
dent mOuntaineer. He longed to show to
his wife his own old holiday ground of
exploit and adventure but, when starting.
he had half resolved 10 do no mountains
though he took with him his Alpine
boots and ice axe. He did not mean to
climb. but yet he felt that he might be
tempted The mountaineer was at war
with the husband, and his own purpose
was not clearly defined in his own WAIVER
ing mind But when he saw the grand.
the lone-desired Iochnadelhorn soar
splendidly into the glowing light of sun
set, great ycarning came upon him to
ascend just that one peak; and under the
temptation. the lover OF the mountains
triumphed over the lover of poor Elsie.
llis memory from old habit Of the mind,
went slipping back upon the golden
days" in which. with merry comrades
he had so often attained, through danger
and through difficulty. to the glory of Al
pine conquest. The old impulse stirred
irresistbIy within him rs he gazed once
more upon the mighty hills that he loved
so we'll He was not unkindly, but he
was thoughtless. lie was sanguine, full
of health and high spirits, and the idea
of ascending the llochnadelhorn took full
possession of him. lie saw that Elsie was
frightened. and was anxious (''women are
always frightened. YOU know but when he
came back in triumph all would be right
and that they would laugh together at
Elsie's fears. He did not fully read the
tender eyes. with their besoochiug glance.
Had Elsie an il-divining soul or was her
dread merely young girl-wife's natural
instinct of anxiety?
when shall be back. dear? Why. it's
impossible to say. for certain. when shall
be back One can't fix time, 81 many
things may happen; and think the snow
is very soft. One sometimes gets DELAYED
But expect-Tm pretty sure-that shall
he back in time for table d'hote. know.
that fellows have sometimes had To sleep
out second night for this mountain
Everything was arranged. and the next
day Walter started for the observation-disclosures
He had two guides. one good. and tn,
other merely young local - while
porter was engaged to carry the provisions
and stores to and from the sleeping-place
Ariosto's knights. who tilted with the
magic lance. attributed victory to their
own valor and prowess; and many an
amateur mountaineer has crowod over an
Alpine victory which was due to his
guides. How many an accident has been
prevented. just in a second OF time bv
good guides Walter went of in high
glec. The guests ut the hotel turned on,
To see him of; and ladies looked with An
aifrighted delight at the dark guides. at
She coil of rope. at the ice-axes. Hi, de-
parture was a little romance of Alpine no
tel life.
Elsie looked out in a dazed way a, all
the preparations. which had for her some
thing terrible and ominous. Bv a great
effort Of quiet heroism she tried. as she
parted with Walter. to restrain nr hide her
tears.
He. strides away with erect rait and
with free. elastic step. They expect to
be about seven hours getting t. the .leep
ing place. About hundred ward, from
the hotei the mountaineers turn = corner
round huge rock; and at that point the
spectators see the last of them.
Walter stopped at that corner tor a mo-
ment, waved his hat and siynalcd an
adieu to Elsie; then his tall. IRA, figure
suddenly disappeared. He had never
looked prouder or Drawer The hotel
guests gave cheer and then turned
away. Elsie. anxious and depressed
tried vainly to read, and then sat talking
with Mrs. Seymour and some other ladies
These other ladies were cheerful. and
were highly excited about the ascent. All
seemed TO envy Elsie the brave and hand
some husband who had lust started ON 4