The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-12-30

said.
There was no answer. Then he had
been caught in the avalanche and suffO-
Gated! A terrible doom!
We were silent for a while. cannot
tell you what the others thought. l
know l prayed very earnestly. Occa-
sionally l could hear Mr.. Neville COM
forting Miss Katie; and after while he
spoke to me.
"Mrs. Farmer, will you come here? 1
think Miss Canton has tainted; she is
heavy and cold" he whispered.
1 stepped toward his voice, which
sounded curious in the darkness and
deathly silence, and took Miss Katie in
my arms. She lay passive. placed
her on the floor and lOOseued her dress
so as to revive her We felt tile awful
silence. Then perceived a touch on my
face. 1t was cold; and Mr. Neville said:
"Give her some of this"
took the flask and poured few drops
down Miss Katie's throat-and 1 may
say. drank little myself. Mr.. Neville
said he did't want any: and he kept feel
ing his way about the little hut trying
to find the door or window.
"lf we had only a light" cried, I'VE
might save Miss Katie, am afraid she
is dying. If we could only see"
"What fool am" cried Mr.. Neville.
Then after pause heard him striking
match. In another second the hut was
lighted by a wax vesta.
81 have six or seven more he said.
Then he stooded. 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.
ar al Il han
he said, land | will chafe her feet and
he knelt down.
"Huld another match, sir" | said.
"Look; what's that vOnder?'
Tie jumped up.
IAN old lantern, and bit Of candle Ill
it. Now we are all light"
He had apparently forgotten the terri
BILE situation we were in. The candle
was lighted, and while it burned we
turned our attention to Miss Katie. At
ter while she again breathed regularly,
and then the candle went out.
"Hurrah!" cried Mr.. Neville, who was
nearly crying, too. "Oh, nay darling, are
you better now? Katie, dearest, speak
to mel"
she only closed her eyes YEARLY.
"Keep her awake, for heavens sake
keep her awake! She will die if she
sleepsw he screamed; 81 would give my
life for hersr'
He rushed toward the doorway, and
began wildly to pick out handfuls of the
snow. Was he mad? l called to him
and begged him to des!st. He raved
and seemed demented, in truth, calling
Miss Katie, who lay still in my arms,
while caressed her, and did all | could
to keep her awake.
At length Mr.. Neville Gained down in
despair. He came and sat beside me,
holding Miss Katte's hands, and occa-
sionally kissing them as l could hear.
How long we remained seated thus |
cannot tell you. 1t seemed hours, when
suddenly we heard thud overhead.
1--WE are saved" shouted Mr.. Neville
"They are digging fer us. Shout!
shout"
We two shouted. A cry answered us.
Then we heard voices plainly. At length
a gray light came in. A man with a
a rope leaped down from what seemed a
white sheet overhead; and we were
drawn up as teRdery as babes.
We were laid, wrapped IN blankets, on
stretchers, and carried to what remained
of the village. 1t had been nearly de-
mslished, and many of the inhabitants
SIlll lie DuIltu Ill Il6 ldlluSllD WulCll dC-
co npanied the avalanche. Most fortu-
Aately the pension, at the extremity of
the village, escaped, with some few
houses; but the village is no more. Our
friends were all safe.
1t was long before Miss Katie recover
ed. Her father came out with Miss Rose
and carried her home. Mr.. Neville and
his sister accompanied them to London.
I hnuna hafnpa thut fnr |
very anxious about Charley; but some
weeks after my return Miss Katie drove
up in her little pony chaise and oYerdid
me with thanks and kisses.
"Mr. Neville is coming here to stay,
MIS-. Farmer, and w0-are engaged to be
married iu August" Then she whisper
ed: Ibid you hear about poor Gideon
GraspeI?"
mo. miss" said in surprise. "What
about him?
st was he who carried the news of
our danger to the villagers, and who
rescued us. lie managed to avoid the
track of the avalanche after all"
Poor Grasper!" | exclaimed did
you hear what became of him, miss?"
Yes; he came and begged my pardon,
and lectured me kindly. tOo-gave me
advice never to play with a mans feel
ing's again; and oil! Mrs. Farmer, l am
so sorry; l am afraid have been mis-
cradle flirt!"
She began to cry and l comfOrted her.
Then she said that Gideon had left for
America, and her father had supplied
him with ample means.
And so you are really going to be
married, miss?" | said after while.
Eyes, Mrs Farmer. | am really in
August. Fancy that?'
1t was no fancy. She was married and
is still very happy in her new home, for
although she had tolerated some gentle
men for while, and had had many Of
fers of marriage, she found her match in
Mr.. Neville, and with him she kept her
last engagement