Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-01-22


served and cautious student forward
into a participation in their own reck-
less adventures by the sheer force Of
enthusiasm. The three went off one
afternoon on a quest for edelweiss.
The gloom was thickening in gorge
and pass anu gray shadows were to fol-
low the crimson sunset glow on the
huge crests alofJ before there was any
sign of return. The ladies grew un-
easy. Stories of accident and of awful
peril were staples of the conversation
al bill of fare IN the hotel saloon. and in
variably exerted their influence on
nervous minds. In this case the pre-.
sentiment of evil was but surely justi-
fed.
Two OF the venturesome explorers
returned weary and disheveled, but
Bernard Ralston was missing.
1--WE thought be'was before u.s." ex-
planned Mark Croxiord, the elder of
the brothers. "We drifted apart a.
mong the boulders and ice-ridges of
glacier edge, and we looked for him to
rejoin us at the lower end of the track.
Not meeting him we supposed 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 hid
den and treaeherous dangers was in ev-
cry ones mind. A search expedition
was quickly organized and started.
81 hear steps behind" said the guide
halting on the first stage of the journey
and prominently displaying his lamp.
"Why it is Miss Power ~ cried
Mark Croxford in astonishmeDt.
1t was indeed Oliye. With blanched
cheeks and agonized eyes and dauntless
resolution, she insisted on accompany
ing the seekers. 1t was at her request
that Bernard Ealston had came to
Switzerland. If he perished would it
not in a sense be her fault ? Better
that her own life should have been sa-
crifced ! To persuade the girl to re-
turn was useless-only loss of prec-
ious minutes. With a muttered growl
of disapprobation the guide was COM
PEELED to allow her to proceed.
Hours were spent in vain pursuit.
.'Guide, is there any hope ?" de-.
manded stout Cornishman, at last.
~ 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 bloodIess lips.
"Listen l hear a groan," she said.
A silence that might be felt prevail
ed.
"The wind across the glacier. miss"
answered the leader in sulky despair.
'There is nothing for us but to 60
back"
"I will not," the girl declared, sun
til you tell me whose voice that is.
Hark | it is no sound of wind ~
Again they listened, and again with
out result.
Mark Croxford gently laid his haud
on Olives arm. "Believe me, you are
mistaken, Miss Power" he said you
do not suppose that any one OF us
would give up the search il the least
chance remained ? But the guide
knows best"
And yet,a he uttured his melancholy
remonstrance, there was sound from
over the neighboring ice-foe, hard to
credit to even the most eerie Of Swiss
hreeZes.
'There surely you hear it now ?'
the girl said.
If only to make clear the girls folly
to herself, the quest was recommen-
ced.
The quick ear of love had not blum
dered, after ALL This time chance
CLEAN of the guides lantern over a jag
ged precipice. side revealed dark form
huddled against an inner ledge. 1t
was Bernard Ralston, insenslble from
the effects of his perilous fall, and pro-
wing that he still lived only by an occa-
sional groan.
"I beg pardon very humbly, Miss
Power" Mark Crawford whispered.
X 4 X
"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. "Row
shall contrive to repay you, I wonder
Do you know-nay you cannot know
1 had 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
surely the bi biavest-came to my side
and smoothed down the pillow-and-
dare l whisper the words p-caressed
my forehead. 1t was singular, was it
not ?"
Something in the poise of the averted
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