The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-10-03


People would have said that this was
jealousy on his part, but it was not
wholly So. If they were married, in
due time it would be shown that they
were not fitted for each other.
Upward they clambered, following q
rude path which had been cut along.
side one edge Of the ravine. The sun
beat down upon them, and there was
hardly breath of air. But this they
did not mind, and in due time they
reached the head of the ravine and
rested in the shadow of the great rocks
which lowered above their heads.
These they had yet to surmount, and
then the end OF their tramp would be
reached.
This little later was accomplished,
and they gazcd around them upon the
wild, ha!f-sayage scenery which lay up
on every hand.
\ little later and arain the sound o!
voices aud OF laughter was waited up
ward TO their ears. The party reached
the head of the rayine and was about
to Chamber UP over the cliffs the way
they had come.
They knew that the ladies had nc
easy task before them, and that they
had some little time to stay before they
moved aside or farther on if they still
wished to avoid them.
SO they fingered, taking in the view
until the forms of the party appeared
in sight only short distance below
them.
Come, Hartley, there are some
stunted trees out yonder where we car
find shade, We will take refuge there
until they are gone
III make the move for your sake, ,
Thurlow; but mind, / won't do it again
We have as good right here as they
and if Miss Maud Ashley doesn't want
to meet you she can go in some other
direction. If it were my case should
stay here, and if she wanted to cut me
in the presence of the rest of the party
she would be at liberty to do so. You
can afford it if she can"
Thuriow made no answer, but start.
ed off in the direction he had indi.
Gated. He could not bear the thought
of being slighted by the woman who
in the past had been so dear to him.
In the shade made by the gnarled
and stunted trees they partook of the
lunch they had brought, dividing their
time between the wild scenery about
them and Watching the movements OF
the party on the brow of the cliff.
In this way the time passed until
Thurlow, looking at his watch, OBJ
served that it was nearly time for them
to be starting homeward.
.'Will you wait until they are gone?'
said Hartley. Il think they are about
starting. Their moving about looks
like it."
Hardly had these words left his lips
when Il cry of mortal terror fell upon
their ears.
They sprung to their feet and
gazed out toward the party on the
cliffs.
One of their number was missing.
Horror-stricken they gazed for an in
slant into each others face, and then,
with the utmost speed they could com
mand, they flew in the direction of the
spot.
What has happened?" they cried to
the awe-struck group, each of whom
had ventured as near to the edge of the
cliff as they dared, and were looking
down into the fearful abyss below.
MAUD Ashley has fallen over!n was
the answer from pale lips.
Thurlow uttered cry which came
from the inmost recesses of his heart.
Then, with a powerful effort he mas
tered himself, and sprung to the path
leading down to the edge of the ra-
vine.
''She has gone to the bottom" said
Hugh Tilden, as he carefully made his
way after him. She has fallen upon a
shelf in the rocks, and we can hear her
crying for help"
Thurlow turned for an instant and
gave him a look which should have
crushed him into the earth, and then
sped on his downward way. followed
close by Hartley, who almost thrust
Tilden from the path as he passed him.
In few moments he was opposite
the spot where Maud was clinging for
her life to the narrow shelf of rock on
which she had fallen and which had
saved her from instant death.
Have courage, Maud, | will be with
YOU in a moment. Here, Hartley, lend
me your hand until l cross this slip
perry rock.
The latter did as requested, and then
with bound Thurlow gained the shelf,
and grasped Maud by the shoulder.
For moment it seemed that they
would both lose their balance, and 90
plunging down to the fearful depths
below. but they held their footing and
braced themselves up against the rock
behind them.
Are you much hurt, Miss Ashley?"
he said.
"No, thanks to this bed of moss" she
answered. But why Miss Ashley?
Why don't you call me Maud, as of
old9n
May have the right to do so?'
"Yes, you always had"
Maud, will YOU be my wife?"
"Yes, dearest, if we leave this place
alive"
s.And Hugh Tilden?"
"Do not mention his name to me.
He has no claim upon me. lam yours,
and yours alone, if you will take me.
Thank God, my darling! Now le
us make our escape from this spot a.
soon as possible. If we are careful
we can do it without harm to either
Hartley and Tilden were looking on
They could not hear what passed be
tween the two. but the former was sat
isfied that all had been made right a
last.
Take the wraps the ladies have anC
your coats, and tie them together
making as stout rope as you can, ant
then throw one end to me-" called ou
Thurlow.
This was soon done. The end wa:
fastened about Maud, and Thurlow
steadied her out as far as possible
Then, with spring, she caught the
outstretched hand of Hartley and was
safe. A minute more and Thurlow
stood by her side. and then shout o.
JOY went up from the throats of all a
their deliverance
There was JOY in Bethlehem thai
night. The Maplewood was thronged
until it seemed that all the town wa,
there. Joy was in the hearts of al
but one = Hugh Tilden. The days