The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-11-27

yon, that even so respectable a lady as Mrs.
RiShtbody was fain to cling to the neck OF
her guide to keep her seat in the saddle; while
Miss Alice scorning all masculine assistance,
was hurled a lovely chaos, against the snowy
wall of the chasm. Mrs. Rightbody screamed;
Miss Alice ragged under her breath, but scram-
bled to her feet again in silence.
Il told you sol" said Mrs. Rightbody, in an
indignant whisper, as her daughter again
ranged beside her. II warned you especially,
Alice, that-that-"
"Whatr interrupted Miss Alice, CURLY.
THAT you would need your chemioons and
high boots" said Mrs. Rishtbody, in regret
full undertone, slightly increasing her distance
from the guides
Miss Alice shrugged her pretty shoulders
scornfully, but ignored her mothers implica-
ton.
you were particularly warned against
going into the valley at this season." she only
replied, grimy.
Mrs. Rightbody raised her eyes impatiently.
"You know how anxious was todiscover
your poor fathers strange correspondent,
Alice. You have no consideration.
"But when you haze discovered him-what
thenP quored Miss Alice.
"What then"
"Yes. Ny belief is that you will find the
telegram only mere business cipher, and all
this quest mere nonsense"
"Alice! Why, you yourself thought your
,l,,t ,,,rht ltY. rNrr.
Have you forgotten"
The young lady had not, but, for some far
reaching feminine reason, chose to ignore 1t
at that moment, when her late tumble i'll the
snow was still fresh in her mind.
"And this woman, whoever she may be, VI
continued Mrs. Rightbody.
GLOW do you know there's n woman in the
easel" interrupted Miss Alice, wickedly, |
| fear
| "Iiow do-I-know-the q womanf
slowly calculated Mrs. Rightbody, founder
ing in the snow at the unexpected possibility
! of such ridiculous question. But here her
guide few to her assistance, and stopped fur
Their speech And, indeed, grave problem
was before them.
The road that led to their single place of
refuge-a cabin, half hotel, half trading post,
scatce a mile away-skirted the base of the
rocky dome, and passed perilously near the
precipitous wall of the valley. There was q
rapid descent Of hundred yards or more to
this terrace-like passage; and the guides
paused for moment of consultation, coolly
oblivious, alike to the terrified questioning OF
Mrs. Rightbody, or the half insolent indie
pendence OF tho daughter. The elder guide
was russell bearded, stout and humorous; the
Younger was dark bearded, slight and Sc
rious.
"Ef you kin git young Bunker Hill to lei
you tote her on your shoulders, I'll get the
madam to hang ON to me-" came to Mrs
RiGhtbody's Mortified ears as the expression
of her particular companion.
"Freeze to the old gal, and don't reckon OF
me if the daughter starts in to play it alone,
was tho enigmatical response Of the younger
guide.
Miss Alice overheard both propositions
and, before the two men returned to theil
side, that highspirited young lady had urgei
her horse down the declivity.
Alasl at this moment q gust OF whirlin;
snow swept down upon her. There was
founder, n mis-step, u fatal strain on tn
wrong rein, q fan, a few plucky but unavail
Inc struggles, and both horse Gnd rider Six