Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-02-09


1--WE thought he was before us,
explained Mark Croxford, the elder .
of the brothers. "We drifted apart i.
the boulders and ice-ridges of
a glacier-edge, and we looked for him
to rejoin us at the lower end of the
track. Not meeting him we suppos-
ed he had hurried away homeward.'
A sudden chill had gone to many
a heart in the little group of listeners.
The thought of precipices and of
their hidden treacherous dangers was
in every ones mind. A search expi-
dition was quickly organized and
started.
II hear steps behind," said the
guide, halting on the first stage of
the journey and prominently display
ing his lamp.
"Why it is Miss Power = cried
Mark Croxford in astonishment.-
1t was indeed Olive. With blanch-
ed cheeks and agonized eyes and
dauntless resolution, she insisted up
ou accompanying the seekers. 1t
was at her request that Bernard Raj
ston had come to Switzerland. If he
perished would it not in a sense be
her fault? Better that her own life
should have been sacrificed To per-
suade the girl to return was useless
only 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 hope?" de-
manded a stout Cornishman, at last.
81 fear none!'' he answered; at
the bottom of yonder chasm'-
His words were cut short. A cry,
half triumphant, half fearful, slipped
from Olive Powers lips.
"Listen! | hear a groan,'' she
said.
A silence that might be felt pre-
vailed.
1.-The wind across the glacier,
MISS" answered the leader in sulky
despair. ''There is nothing for us
but to 90 back
Il will not" the girl declared, ''un-
til you tell me whose voice that is.
Hark i. it is no sound of wind p
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
of us would give mp the search if the
least chance remained? But the guide
knows best"
And yet, as he uttered his melan-
choly remonstrance, there was a
sound from over the neighboring ice
foe, hard to credit to even the most
eerie of Swiss breezes.
"There surely you hear it now p
the girl said.
If only to make clear the girls fol,
ly to herself, the quest was recon-
menced.
The quick ear of love had not
hlundered, after all. This time 6
chance CLEAN of the guides Lantern
over jagged precipice- side revealed
dark form huddled against an innel
ledge. 1t was Bernard Ralston, III
sensible from the effects of his peril
Gus fall, and proving tha: he still liv
ed only by an occasional groan.
Il beg pardon very humbly. Mis-.
Power" Mark Croxford whispered
"And they tell me. Olive, that
owe my life to you," the GONZALES
cent said, wheeled out on the broat
mountain terrace of his resting place
"How shall | contrive to repay you
| wonder. Do you know-nay yol
cannot know had a dream thi
morning. After the doctor had lef
my room / dozed, and it seemed t,
me that-that the dearest girl in tn
wide woodland surely the braves
came to my side and smoothe,
down the pillow-and-dare l whis
per the words ?-caressed my fore
head. 1t was singular, was it not p
Something in the poise of th
averted face awakened swift suspi
cion-a keen thrill of happiness.
SIT cannot be that-that it wa
not a dream?" he queried. ''Tha
my ward is willing to be still deare
to be my wife?''
The small palm was not withdrawn
the lovely crimson face was swift,
and momentarily upturned as he hat
seen it twice before, and this time
look of ineffable content was mirror
ed thereupon.
IF you really desire so to extent
your guardianship of your 'waywart
ward mischievous accents answered
And Bernard Ralston's sometim,
problem had become his deares
treasure. Love itself had taugh
loves lesson.
sis land high in Vermont?" asked
a speculator of an old Green Noun
tain farmer. s'Indeed it isl" wa:
the reply. ''If the trees warn't 81
stunted the clouds couldn't get by a