The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-07

the brightest" she said pleadingly And when
she added slight involuntary expression Of her
own eagearness for the change, he surrendered.
The trio-Miss Ralston, Demands sister and
housekeeper, was Olives chaperon-had not
been from England fortnight
They had reached the Rifel and were thus en-
eamped under shadow of the majestic lgrim and
uncouth, for variation of epithets) Matterhorn
itself. Here Olive went Into ecstasies. To watch
the sunrise battle the ragged, furrowed sides
with waves of liquid light was an occupation of
which she never tired. And then there was the
Gorner grot to visit, the Corner glacier to see.
AT the hotel there was pleasant company, in
GLIDING a couple of young Americans who swept
the ordinarily reserved and cautious student for
ward into participation in their own reckless
adventures by the sheer force of enthusiasm
The three went off one afternoon q quest
for edelweiss. The gloom was thickening
in gorge and pass, and gray shadows were fol
lowing the crimson sunset glow on the huge
erests alott before there was any sign of areturn
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 ex-
erted their influence on nervous minds. In this
case the presentiment of evil was but too surely
justified.
Two Of the venturesorne explorers returned
weary and disheveled, but Bernard Ralston was
missing
1--WE thought he was before u.s." explained
Mark CroXford, the elder of the brothers 1--WE
drifted apart among the powders ard ice-ridges
of glacier edge, and we looked for him to re-
join us at the lower end of the track, Not meet
ing him. we supposed he had hurried away
homework"
A sudden chill had gone to many heart in
the little group of listeners. The thought of
precipices and of their hidden and treacherous
dangers was in every oue's mind. search ex
petition was quickly organized and started
II hear footsteps behind, said the guide, halt
ing on the first stage of the journey and promi
nently displaying his lamp.
''Why it is Miss Powerl" cried Mark Croxford
in ast0niShment.
1t was indeed Olive With blanehed cheeks
and agonized eyes but dauntess resolution, she
insisted on accompanying the seekers. 1t was
at her request that Bernard Ralston had come to
Switzerland. If he had persisted would il not
in a sense be her FAULT Better that her own
life should have been sacrificed To persuade
the girl to return was useless-ony a loss of
precious minutes With muttered growl of
disapprobation the guide was compelled to allow
her to proceed.
Hours were spent in vain pursuit
'Guide, is there any hopel" demanded a sta
wart Cornishman at last.
II fear none" he answered; ''at the bottom of
yonder ehasm"-
His words were cut short IA cry, half tr
umphant half fearful, slipped over Olive Powers
bloodless lips.
'Listenl 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
II will not" the girl declared, until you tell
me whose voice that is. Hark! tits no sound
of wind!'
Again they listened and again without result
Mark Croxford gently laid his hand on Olives
arm Believe me, you are mistaken, Miss
Power" he said. You 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 remon-
STRANGE, there was sound from ovel the neigh
boring ice foe hard to credit to even the most
eerie of Swiss breezes
''Therel Surely you hear it nowl" the girl
said
If only to make clear the girls folly to herself,
the questwas recommended.
The qsick ear of love had not blupdered, after
all. This time chance CLEAN of the guides
lantern over jagged precipice side revealed
dark form huddled against an inner ledge. 1t
was Bernard Ralston, insensibe from the effects
of his perlous fall and proving that he still
lived only by an occasional groan.
II beg pardon very humbly, Miss Power"
Mark Croxford whispered.
''And they tell me- Olive, that I owe my life
to you, the convalescent said wheeled out on
the broad mountain terrace of his resting place.
How shall eontrive to repay you, wonder
Do you know--nay, you cannot KNOW had a
dream this morning. After the doctor had left
my room dozed, and 1t seemed to me that
that the dearest girl in the wide world-and sure
ly the brapest-came to my side and smoothed
down the pillow-and-dare whisper the wordsl
caressed my forehead. 1t was singular, was it
not2
Something in the poise of the averted face
awakened a swift Suspicion keen thrill of hap
piness.
at cannot be that-that it was not dream27
he queried. 'eThat my ward is willing to be still
dearer-to be my wife4"
The small palm was not withdrawn, the lovely
crimsoned face was swiftly and momehtarily up
turned. as he had seen it twice before and this
time look of ineffable content was mirrored
thereupon.
danship of your hayward ward" mischievious
accent answered. And Bernard Ralston's some
time problem had become his dearest treasure
Love itself had taught loves lesson.