Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-24
Gales aud Sketehes.
A MAYNARD WARD.
(Continuec from Yesterday

III.
An early summer vacation in Switzer-
land-when the glorious Alpine flora
should be at its loveliest-had been the
cherished dream of years to Bernard Raj
ston, and at last it was realized. A wom-
ans hand had guided his steps thither-
ward Olive Power had persuaded him
to lay aside his work, and make playtime
of the sunny weather.
You can finish your book on Vanity
as a Force in Human Affairs" when YOU
return, and the critics will all say that the
last chapters are the brightest, she said,
pleadingly And when she added a
slight involuntary expression of her own
eagerness for the change, he surrendered.
The tro-Mss Ralston. Bernard's sister
and housekeeper, was Olives chaperon-
had now been from England fortnight.
They had reached the Riffel, and were
thus encamped under the shadow of the
majestic (grim and uncouth, tor variation
of epithets) Matterhorn itself. Here
Olive went into ecstacies. TO watch the
sunrise battle the rugged, furrowed sides
with waves of liquid light, was an occupa-
ton of which she never tired. And then
there was the Corner Graf to visit, and
the Corner Glacier to see.
At the hotel there was pleasant compa-
ny. including couple of young Amerl-
cans. who swept the ordinarily reserved
and cautious student into participation
of their adventures by the sheer force of
enthusiasm The three went off one af-
ternoon ona quest for edelweiss. The
gloom was thickening in the gorge and
pass, and gray shadows were following
the crimson sunset glow on the huge
crests aloft, before there were any signs
of return The ladies grew uneasy.
Stories of accident and of awful peril were
| staples of the conversational bill of fare in
the hotel salon, and inevitably exerted
their influence on nervous minds. In this
case the presentiment of evil was but too
surely justified.
Two OF the ventursome explorers re-
turned weary and dishevelled, but Ber-
marc Ralston was missing.
1--WE thought he was before u.s." ex-
claimed Mark Croxford. the elder of the
brothers. 1--WE drifted apart among the
boulders and ice-ridges of the glacier
edge, and we looked for him TO reioin us
ing him we supposed he had hurried away
lhomewardn
A sudden chill had gone to many a
heart in the little group of listeners. The
thought of precipices and of their hidden
and treacherous dangers was in every
ones mind. A search expedition was
quickly organized and started.
II hear steps behind" said the guide,
hating on the first stage of the Journey
and prominently displaying his lamp.
why, it is Miss Power!" cried Mark
Croxford in establishment.
1t was indeed Olive. With blanched
cheeks and agonized eyes and dauntless
resolution. she insisted on accompanying
the seekers. 1t was at her request that
Bernard Ralston had come to Switzerland.
Ii he persisted would it not in sense be
her faut9 Better that her own life should
have been sacrificed To persuade the
girl to return was useless, only loss oil
precious minutes. With muttered growl
of disapprobation the guide was com.
PEELED 10 Nv her to proceed.
Hours were spent in a vain pursuit,
Guide, is there any hope?' demanded
a stalwart Cornishman. at last.
II fear none! he answered; lat the
bottom of younder chasm-"
His words we've cut short A cry, half
triumphant, half fearful. slipped over
Olive Powers bloodless lips.
Listen hear groan," she said.
/ A silence that might be felt, prevailed
The wind across the glacier, miss, "
answered the leader in sulky despair.
There is nothing for it but to go back .
Il will not" the girl declared, until
you tell me whose voice that is. Hark !
it is no sound of wind'
Again they listened, and again without
result
Mark Croxford gently laid his hand on
Olives arm. Believe me, you are mis-
taken. Miss Power. he said; syou do not
suppose that any one of us would give
up this search if the least chance remained!
But the guide knows best"
! And yet, as he uttered his melancholy