River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-07-01

berry. 10 the lett the sullen thunder
of a waterfall breaks on our ears, and
few moments later we come to a
britiht open space where a tumbledown
picturesque hut perches on a shelf Of
plateau overhanging the dizzy preci-
pice. At this juncture our guide, a
voluble young mOuntaineer of one or
twO-and-twenty with superb sprig of
edelweiss in his hat, addresses me:
''Yonder lie two roads. mein lHerr,"
he explains. indicating their direction
with wave of his brown hand. lone
leads to the Old Pass. only used by ma
tive folk and country travellers; by the
other you will soon reach the famous
gallery tunneled in solid rock by the
genius of the famous engineer, Herr
Bronx, from the mouth of which you
obtain the finest view to be seen in the
whole of Switzerland. 4"
There Immediately ensues perfect
babel of tongues. At length it is
agreed by the majority that we follow
the new road and inspect this marvel
of engineering skill.
You will regret it, friends as long
as YOU live" 1t is the Englshman,
/ Egremont. who is speaking. and his
tone is curiOusly eager and excited.
Il have been many times over both
I paths, and | assure YOU there is no
scenery in the world to equal that
I which surrounds the deserted Old
/ Pass.
! The guide shrugS his shoulders and
4 smiles deprecatingly.
AT least Miss Sinclair will listen to
reason, Egremont continues, turning
=, 4
! scarcely exchanged word during the
/ journey. so jealously has she been
1 guarded by her quaadom friend.
! 1 give start of surprise at this un-
expected proposal.
''Barby,' | say in low tone,
"Barby, surely YOU will not do this
thing? Remember, danger turks
everywhere among these mountain
passes. Pause for your mothers sake,
and for mine"
The small hand that grasps the climb
ing-stick of ash trembles a little, and
she makes motion as if to seek my
side, but Egremont interpOses, and
bending the glance of his strangely
dark eyes full upon her. whispers some
words that bring a red glow to her
cheeks. A smile of triumph curls his
/ lips when he sees their subtle effect.
Unfortunately, lose both patience
and discretion together.
'Barby, you shall not go!' | cry hot
| ".
"'Shall not are imperative words.
Mr.. Ray, she returns, in the old way,
that, in moments of irritation. has been
hers from childhood. Il think | can
safely trust myself in Mr.. Egremont's
care. He, at least, is skilled in the
manners and language of a gentle
man."
bite my lips angrily, but say no
more.
You will find us awaiting you here
on your return, ready to continue the
ascent in your charming company"
announces Egremont, with a bow of
mock courtesy. "Adieu, good friends,
aud may YOU fully enjoy Herr Bronk's
matchless piece of tunneling.
The twain stand and watch us till
our diminished forces are nearly out of
sight. After awhile our footpath wild
ems into a magnificent high-road ards
in breadth, with the leafy forest on one
side and the sheer precipice on the
other
IS the roar of the waterfall wakes
/ louder my heart grows heavier and my
pace slower till my feet seem weighted
/ with lead | fall insensibly behind tho
rest. whose laughter | can Just distin-
I guish in the distance. A powerful inn
pulse seizes me to turn back, and /
obey it without question. At the turn
of the roads | strike swiftly into the
one leading to the Old Pass.
/ MY forehead is beaded with heavy
drops and my breath comes in short,
qnick gasps: but / dare not slacken my
pace for even a moment, so strong is
the power that urges me on. Once o lily
( | stop to listen; but no sounds reward
me. Up, up. til the snowy peaks
glitter frOstily in the mid-air, and the
misty valley drops far. far below. The
heat and silence are alike intense. The
rugged rocks shoot out in larger and
yet larger masses. Spiintered cliffs
tower above, and the road becomes
mere narrow shelf. slippery to the foot
winding along the brow of the prec-
pice.
Suddenly the sound of voices falls
on my ear, and turning sharp angle
of the rock a sight meets my eyes that
sends the very blood bounding madiy
through my veins. Poised on the mar
rowest ledge of slippery stone stands
the Englishman Egremont, and grasp
ed tightly in his strong right arm
he holds Barby, while with his left
hand he gesticulates wildly, pointing
IN turn from the serene sky above 10
the valley that Outstretches hundreds
of feet below. His back is turned to
me but Barby's face is in full view,
white as a snow-droD and infinitely
pitiful in its dumb terror. The hor
rible truth suddenly dawns upon me.
Great Heaven the man is madl
''Oh, Phillip Philip! where are you,
that you do not save me?'
Barby's wall smites the air, and is
answered by a shrill laugh from the
maniac.
II have found you at last. my bride,
my sweet, he babbles, gleefully, land
they shall never separate us more.
This time we will die together"
In desperation Barby seized hold of a
Jagged point of rock, and though the
sharp edges cut her tender hands cruel
ly, she clings to it with the strength of
despair. There is but one chance left
terrible alternative. If / possess one
talent above another it is that of per-
feet craftsmanship. | cast my eyes
hastely but carefully about and select
ed a smooth round stone. The mussle
of my right hand close round it and
tighten to the tensity of steel. Sud
denly Barby sees me and utters my
name. For one terrible moment Eyre
mont turns and faces me, his dark
ewes ablaze with triumph and malice.
Then with a sharp whiz the stone
cleaves the air, my empty hand fell
helpless, and | know no more.
When | come to myself at last there
are dozen familiar faces about me,
but Barby's eyes are the only ones that
II see; Barby's poor hands
bandaged clumsily in strips of
linen handkerchief, the only
ones | feel. As 4 stagger dizzily to my
feet my glance falls on a PROSTATE fig
ure reposing motioniess on a pile of
shawls Mechanicly | note the splen-
did head with its crown of dark dis
heveled locks. and the long, dark
bruise disfguring the white temple.
| realize too with gratitude unutterable
that spite of the deathly white face the
poor heart still pulsates family.
How they got us back to the inn L
never knew, but for weeks Aunt Sophie
had two patients to nurse. One day,
~. I Oh 70.