Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-12-13
The Mysterious Light.
BY EMILY "A. THACKERAY.

~" "cSN' "SV i'i tuu@ scCiu'tCu spot
5000 feet above the sea, m,rr,
party of young women, withou
their ''brothcrs, their cousins ans
their unc'c'," spant whole glori
Gus week. tIamping, climbing nnt
botanizing TO their hearts content
Many were thcir adventures, but on,
among them stands cut unique, and
though it reads like a fiction is never.
thclcss Il true tale in all its csscntia
facts.
Our party consisted originally Of three
girls and one married woman. On tho
second day, the latter. Mrs. C., OK.
ella med GLOW the wind means III
here! Listen TO that strange sound like
human voice The distance. Can't you
fancy it is calling u,!"
A moment later her face lighted up.
1T is calling mc-Grls, I'm sure that s
John"
Nonsense, Mrs. C" said on
leader rather sharply, "what would
your husband be doing up hcre''
"IIcs come after mel" cried Mrs.
c. IriumphantIy; sure enough. our
sharp-cycd guide could sec tall ma:, $
figure nearly half mllc distant swing.
ing over the rocks at tremendous pace,
his form outline agtinat the sky. A
few minutes later, he approached us
brcatl'lc,s
1--WE come to take you home today,
Ne lie, he announced.
To-day! Oh, Mr.. Cushing"
"Ics. Pm afraid that you girls arc
n for tho cquinoctial and | do not
think it safe for my wife to stay in this
exposed hut any longer.
"Just like mani whispered the
disgustod trio to thcmselvc,; "shc was
almost as good MS if she WASH married,
but such is life =" There was nothing
to do but hurr:cdly to pack Mrs. Cu,h
ing's goods and chattcls together and
watch her and her husband start off on
the rocky path hand in hand. "Its
only o'clock, and toll Mr.. Crawford,
our hotel keeper, tina. we'd be back TO
tea. cried John, chccrily. al think
the storm has vcarcd around for n
while"
The husband and wife started brisllly
of, but hutrying over the rough roots
and rocks of the wild path Mrs. C
soon began to feel tho fleet, of long
climb she hal accomplished the pevi.
Gus morning. Slower and slower they
were force | to walk IN frequent rests
became necessary. Suddenly the noun
tain wind vecr.l round again, the
air grew heavi ard brcathlcss.
as with tornado; black a,
ink, then suddenly blo,tcl out wee the
distant peaks. the nearer cracs were
wrcathcd with mist and cloud, and the
cairns OF rock Lc!orc them that marked
the little win ling path over the boulder:
along the edge of tn. p ccipice became
invisible. Though still early, thick
darkness that nigh, BE- felt, like pail
fell upon them. Cnaccustomcd rs were
Mira. C--and her huib band to these
mountains or mountain climbing at Ill.
the situston was growing serious IN.
deed.
Finally the path seemed suddenly tc
nd, and Mr.. Cleft his tired wifi.
beside IL boulder where the last trace o.
the path had disappeared and dcspcr.
atcly struck out to find il. III,
stumbled over great rocks, caught hi.
feet in spruce roots, AMI fell dow,
great holes between the bouldcrs; al
last even the suspicion OF trail van.
lshcd and he started to regain his wife.
10 his disma?. all sense of direction
was lost lie cale1-nothing replied
hut the wint among the rocks; tin,
night now was pitc.iy- black, not sta
broke the solitude of the thick dark
ness; his wife, alone and ill, was o:
the mountain side within few feet O
the grea; p'cc;p:cc, AMI he coul | no
return 10 her! The situation grow in.
tole'ab!c Again and again he shouc,
to her and the great rocks across III
ravinc rccchocd his strained voice, blu
human cry there was none. CROWN.
desperate, lie lcaped over the rocks
needless of the cha3ms that might |.
yawning at his feet; with his hand
torn and bleeding lie pushed aside Il.
snarled and twisted scrub that held hin
back.
AT ias:-was tina: faint cry? II
acid his breath. Family it C Inc again
borne OF the wing, OF the wind. II
answered in another tone, hurrying i
its direction. A trille more distinct
| eoun1n1 o0,,..~o