The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1885-08-21
returned weary and dishevelIed, but


returned weary and dishevelled, but
Bernard Ralston was missing.
"We thought he WAC before us" ex-
planned Mark Groxford, the elder OF
the brothers. I'VE drifted apart among
the boufders and iceridges Of a glacier
edge, and we looked for him to rejoin
us at the lower end Of the track. Not
meeting him we supposed he had hur-
ried away ~homeward."
A sudden chill had gone to many a
heart in the little group of listeners.
The thought of precipiees and OF their
hidden and treacherons dangers was
in every ones mind. Al search ex-
petition was quickly organized and
started.
Il heir Steps behind" said the guide,
hating on the first stage of the Jour-
ney and prominently displaying his
lamp.
why it is Miss Power" cried Mark
CToxford in astonishment.
1t was indeed Olive. With blanched
cheeks and agonized eyes and Gauntless
resolution, she insisted on accompany
ing the seekers. 1t was at her request
that Bernard Ralston had come to
Switzerland. IF he persisted would it
not in asense be her fault? Better that
her own life should have been sacri-
icedi TO persuade the girl to return
was useless-only a loss of precious min
utes. With a muttered growl of disap-
probation the guide was compelled to al
low her to proceed.
Hours were spent in vain pursuit.
"Guide, is there any hope?n demand
ed a stalwart Cornishnian, at last.
Il fear, nonel" he answered; "at the
bottom of yonder chasmp-
His words were cut short. A err,
half triumphant, half fearful. slipped
over Olive Powers bloodless lips.
listen | hear a groan," she said.
A siience that might be felt pre-
vailed.
"ffne wind across the glacier, Miss"
answered the leader in sulky dispair,
"There is nothing for it but to go back. !" 8
II will not, /" the girl declared. "until
you tell me whose voice that is. Harki
it is no sound of wind"
Again they listened, and again with
out 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 n Of us would
give up this 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-ioe hard
to credit TO even the most eerie of Swiss
breezes.
There! surely you hear it nova" the
girl said.
If only to make clear the girIs folly
to herself, the quest was recommended.
The quick ear or love had not blum
dered, after all. This time a chance
CLEAN Of the guides lantern over a
Jagged precipice-side revealed a dark
form huddled against an inner ledge.
1t was Bernard Ralston, inseDsi5le
from the effects Of his perilous fall, and
proving that ne still lived only by au
occasional gcoan.
Il beg pardon very humbly, Miss
Power, Mark Croxford whispered.
9And they tell me, Olive, that I v
my life to you,n the c~onyalescent said,
wheeled out on tho broad mountain
terrace of his resting-place. aHow
shall ! contrive to repay you, I wonder.
Do you know-nay, you cannot know
] had q dream this morning. Aftert the
doctor had left my room i dozed, and It
seemed to me that-that til dearest girl
in the wide world-and surely the
bravest-came to my side and smoothed
down the pillow-and-dare / whisper
the words ?-caressed my foreheads 1t
was singular, was it not?D
Something in the poise of the averted
face awakened a swift suspicion-a keen
thrill Of happiness.
1T cannot be that-that ii was not a
dream?" he queried. @That my ward
is willing to be still dearer-to be my
wife?n
The small palm was not withdrawn
the lovely crimsoned face was swiftly
and m~omentarily uptnrned, as he had
seen it twice before, and this time a look
of ineffable content was mirrored there
npon.
IF you really desire so to extend your
guardianship Of your maynard ward
mischievous accents answered. And
Bernard Ralston's sometime problem
had become his dearest treasure. Love
itself had taught loves lesson.
Henry Clews, says the New York
-Ae