The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-01-20


"There is Oswald Harhury to think
Of" Olives guardian was daring enough
to- add.
Two shining eyes we're momentarily
uplifted. Was that fash they gave one
of Indignation, of scorn, or merely Of
confusion at betrayed secret2 Bernard
could not guess
"The nature of my employments can.
make no difference whatever, in anv way
that can imagine. to Mr. Harburv," she
Then--it seemed to Bernard
q strange trausition-"Will you forgive
me for asking favor ?" she went swiftly
on: 81 should like-oh, so much Ito
help In your work. Could not copy
out your. notes or revise proofs SONS.
times I"
What philosopher could have success
fully resisted the volunteered help Of
such an amanuenss2 Mt Bernard Raj
ston.
1t was summer, three months later
than the date of this conversation. o.
ives guardian was seeking his ward in
her own boudoir, with gloom upon his
face and depression of soul which de.
fed his analysis. He had q message TO
convey and proposal to informally sub
NIT which he had little doubt would be
accepted. Oswald Harbury, the young
owner Of half Cleethorpe had asked per
mission to lay himself and his fortunes
at Olives feet. He loved her, he said
be would do bis best'tO make her hap.
py.
"And believe that be will. He has 8
home to offer you and true-hearted
honorable gentleman. As your guardian
Olive, l am hound to give my sanction
to so fair and promising suit. May
bid Mr.. Harbury to come and plead bis
own cause?"
He had spoken hoarsely and in queer
far.off kind of voice that be hardly re.
cognized as bis own. 1t was surely sin
gular and must testify to an unsuspected
weakness OF character, that the prospecl
of separation from the ward originally
received with go much doubt and dread
should thus make havoc of his peace
He waited for the answer in suspense
that was positively harrassing. At last
il, came.
"No, you may not" Olive said, suu.
less, indeed, you wish to get rid of me-
to drive me away. And not even then
for / cannot consent TO marry.a man
whom l do not love"
Send Olive away! Was not every
pulse in his body beating with fierce, un-
hidden JOY at the verdict she had given
The measure Of bis recent terror was the
measure Of his present relief.
"That is fear which nv ward-my
way ward wa-d need never harbor," he
said with slow broad smile; "she has
brought too much sunshine into my
lonely life for me to wish to lose her
But change is inevitable some day"
"Why2" low voice murmured +; aud
again came the mysterious illumination
of Olives eyes.
"Bscanse, Olive-if for no other rea-
sons-the years OF nv guardianship will
soon be at an end" he answered steadily,
almost sternly He must face the future
resolutely, ss benefited teacher of his
fellows.
And few seconds later his q1ick, ,ner.
vous step was echoing in the passage
without.
Au early summer vacation In Switzer
land-when the glorious Alpine fora
should he at its oveliest-had been the
cherished dream of years Of Bernard
Ralston, and it was realized. A Woman's
hand had guided his steps thitherward
Olive Power lad persuaded him to lay
aside bis work and make playtime OF the
sunny weather.
"You can finish your book on Vanity
as 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 sur
rendered The trio o-Miss Ralstnn, Bern
ards sister and housekeeper, was Olives
chaperon-had now been from E igland
q fortnight.
They had reached the Riffel AMI we're
thus enca nped under shadow of the ma
jestic grim and uucouth, for variations
Of epithets) Matterhorn itself. Here
Olive went into ecslacies. To watch the
sunrise hattie the rugged, furrowed sides
with waves Of liquid light, was an occu.
patton Of which she never tired. And
then there were the Corner Graf to visit
the Corner Glacier to see.
Al the hotel there was pleasant COM
pany, including couple of young Amer
leans, who swept the ordinarily reserved
aud cautious student forward into a par.
ticipalion in their own reckless adven-
lures by the sheer force of enthusiasm.
The three went off one afternoon on
quest for edelweiss. The gloom was
10 gorge and pass and gray
shadows were following the crimson sun
set glow on the huge crests aloft before
there was any sign of return. The
ladies grew uneasy. Stories Of accident
and of awfdl peril were staples of the
bill of fare in the hotel
saloon, and invariably exerted their in
uence on nervous minds. In this case
the presentiment of evil was but surely
justified.
Two OF the venturesome explorers re-
turned weary aud disheveled, but Bern
ard Ralston was missing.
"We thought he was before u.s." ex-
planned Mark Croxford. the elder of the
brothers. "We drif.ed apart among the
bonlders and ice-rdges of glacier.edge
and we looked for him to rel lin us al
the lower end of the track. Not meet
ing 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 their
hidden and trescherous dangers was in
every ones mind A search expedition
was quickly organized and started.
II hear steps behind" said the guide,
halting on the first stage of the journey
and prominently displaying his lamp.
"Why it ia Miss Power" cried Mark
Croxferd in astonishment.
1t was indeed Olive. With blanehed
cheeks and agonizsd eyes and dauntlesa
resolution, sheinsisted on accompanying
the seekers. 1t was at her request tha,
D.1stou H.. C-,,-