The Republican., 1889-07-20

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''HE LOOKED AT THE SMILING PICTURED
FACE"
looking down the opposite side from
the one which he had ascended. 1t
was almost perpendicular. Far be-
low him was a thick shroud of mist
erveloping the base of the mountain.
AS far down as he could see, sharp
pieces of rock jutted out from the face
of the cliff; and he knew that if he
stepped over the brink he would be
mangled beyond all human resemblance
before he had fallen q hundred feet.
He was given but few seconds to
contemplate his impending fate, when
his captor again seized him. This
time not to lift him up and
bear him safely over the place of
danger as heretofore. but to push him
slowly, relentlessly, nearer to the awful
death which awaited him on the rocks
below. He tried to cry out, but no
sound escaped his lips. He struggled
fiercely to free himself, but his limbs
seemed to be pinioned as tightly as
if they had grown fast together.
After time he resigned him
self to the inevitable and sent
up silent prayer to his Maker for
mercy. The next instant he was top
ping over the edge of the precipice.
His captor had left him, but freedom
was Of little use to him now, and after
one desperate. but unsuccessful effort
to regain his balance, he closed his
eyes, expecting to open them in eter>
nifty. At that moment hand, gently,
but firmly, grasped his arm and drew
him back to the rock upon which he
had been standing. Turning quickly
to see who had rescued him, he beheld
the beautiful form of his angel wife.
She was changed beyond expression,
yet every feature was as easily recog-
nizable as when she was in the
flesh. There was no sign of trouble
or sorrow about her, NO sign
of disease, but to perfect physical
form and feature was added that
heavenly grace which ''passeth under
standing" The light of the old love
was in her eye. unmiXed with regret
or reproach. Her general appearance
and the expression of her features in
dicated condition superior to Dam
forth's fondest imagination of heavenly
life. AS he saw her now, the embodi-
ment of happiness and contentment, he
felt satisfaction greater than he had
ever before experienced in the efforts
he had made to secure her earthly
happiness.
Il will henceforth." he mentally re-
solved, consider those few years of
married life the best spent of all my
earthly existence"
With a graceful gesture his heavenly
visitant bade him fol3ow her. Taking
another way, which soon left the noun
tain far behind. they traversed quiet
lanes and green pastures where the tinll-
ling of little sheep bells, mingled with
the music of running brooks, recalled
to Danforth's mind the rural scenes
of his early childhood and made him
wish that he could return again in fact,
as we'll as fancy, and be always boy.
But they were going with the speed of
the wind. and these pleasant scenes
soon faded and they found themselves
within the limits of the city. On and
on they went. over Danforth's home,
over the business streets till they came
to the Maybury mansion. Here at the
lighted window in the second story
they stopped.
Look" she whispered as she caused
the curtain on the inside to move quiet
ly upward.
He obeyed without question and saw
on the opposite side of the room fig
ure reclining on a bed in an attitude of
deep detection. Soon the figure rose,
and, with quickening pulse Danforth
recognized Gertrude Maybury. She
was pale and sad, and her infamed
face and eyes showed that slN had been
weeping bitterly. Advancing to table
near the light she drew a photograph
from her bosom, regarded it wistfully
for moment and then, kissing it pas
sionately, she tore it into bits and
dropped them into the waste basket.
The curtain noiselessly resumed its
place and Danforth turned to his guide.
What does it mean?" he asked in
puzzled, anxious tone.