The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1888-01-31

Suddenly hiss was heard-a roar; a
great lump of snow had tumbled from the
overhangfng mass, and had fallen in the
belt of fir trees some yards away, and
higher up than we were.
''Come back! come backi" shouted the
Germans in English. Miss Katie's cousins
screamed out 'tAvalancher' But Mr..
Neville still gripped Grasper.
Suddenly sound like pistol shot was
heard. Then we all looked up. The whole
mountain was moving, sliding down-a
white slope of thick snow. with a
noise of ten thousand boiling kettles
Kissing like millions of snakes A crack
ling of timber high up the noun
taini We turned and ran for the hut
under the rock, in which the others had
taken shelter, as we fancied, because they
had disappeared But when we reached
the hut, in about ten seconds, it was
empty. They had escaped down the hill
with the guides.
We had no time to think. A tremendous
roar seemed to crush the air down on us;
| then a crunching crash like cart wheels in
| snow ruts a thousand times magni1ed.
The light died out. We were buried alive
| in the avalanche.
''Miss Katien 1 screamed-"Mr. Ne
villep'
eyes; here we are" they replied.
"Gideon Grasper-is he here too?'
said.
| There was no answer Then he had
| been caught in the avalanche and suffo-
Gated! A terrible doom!
| We were silent for awhile. cannot
tell you what the others thought I know
! prayed very earnestly. Occasionally
could hear Mr.. Neville comforting Miss
Katie; and after awhile he spoke to me.
HMrs. Farmer, will you come here? 1
| think Miss Canton has tainted; she is
heavy and cold, - he whispered.
! I stepped toward his voice, which
sounded so curious in the darkness and
deathly Silence, and took Miss Katie in
my arms. She lay passive. placed her
on the floor, and loOsened her dress, so as
| to revive her. We felt the awful silence.
Then perceived touch on my face 1t
was cold; and Mr.. Neville said:
EGive her some of this"
took the flask and poured few drops
down Miss Katie's throat-and, may
say, drank a little myself. Mr.. Neville
said he didn't want any; and he kept feel
Ing his way about the little hut, trying to
find the door or window.
eff we only had e. light" I cried, "we
might save Miss Katie am afraid she
is dying. If we could only see''-
"What fool 1 amp exclaimed Mr..
Neville. Then after pause heard him
striking match In another second the
hut was lighted by wax vesta
81 have six or seven more" he said.
Then he stopped, and by the light of the
tiny taper we saw that Miss Katie was
pale as death, her eyes and mouth tightly
closed, her hands clenched and rigid.
''Force some cordial down her throat"
he said. 81 will chafe her feet;'' and he
knelt down.
"Hold another match, SIR" I said
'IoOk; what's that yonder?''
He jumped up. can old lantern and a
bit of candle in it. Now we are all
right"
He had apparently forgotten the ter
rible situation we were in. The candle
was lighted, and while it burned we
turned all our attention to Miss Katie.
kfter awhile she again breathed regu-
Iarly, and then the candle went out.
"Hurrah!'' crled Mr. Neville, who was
nearly crying, too. ooh, my darling,
you are better now? Katie, dearest, speak
to mer'
She only closed her eyes YEARLY.
''Keep her awake, for heavens sake
keep her awake! She will die if she
sleeps!'' he screamed; 'I would give my
life for hers''
He rushed toward the doorway, and be-
gan wildly to pick out handfuls of the
snow. Was he mad? / called to him and
begged him to desist. He raved and
seemed demented, in truth, calling Miss
Katie, who lay still in my arms, while
caressed her, and did all 1 could to keep
her awake.
At length Mr.. Neville Gained down in
despair. He came and sat beside me,
holding Miss Katie's hands, and occasion
ally kissing them, as / could hear
How long we remained seated thus I
cannot tell you. It seemed hours, when
suddenly we heard thud overhead.
eve are saved!'' shouted Mr.. Neville.
They are digging for US. Shouts
Jhoutl''
We two shouted. A cry answered us.
Then we heard voices plainly. At length
gray light came in. A man with a rope
capped down from what seemed a white
sheet overhead; and we were drawn I'D as
enderly as babes.
We were laid, wrapped in blankets, on
itretchers, and carried to what remained
If the village. 1t had been nearly demol-
shed; and many of the inhabitants still
lie buried in the landslip which accom-
panied the avalanche. Most fortunately
The pension" at the extremity of the
Valley, escaped with some few houses;
out the village is no more Our friends
we're all safe.
It was long before Miss Katie recovered.
Her father came out with Miss Rose and
carried her home. Mr.. Neville and his
sister accompanied them to London. 1
was sent home before that, for 1 was very
anxious about Charley; but some weeks
after my return Miss Katie drove up in
her little pony chaise and overdid me with
hanks and kisses.
''Mr. Neville is coming to stay here,
Mrs. Farmer, and we-are engaged to be
married in August Then she whis-
pered: did you hear about poor Gideon
Grasper?'
''No, MISS said in surprise ''What
about him?"
SIT was he who carried the news of our
LANCER to the villagers, and who rescued
is. He managed to avoid the track of
;he avalanche after all -
'Poor Grasperl" I exclaimed ''Did
Fou hear what became of him, miss?''