New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-25


she knew however. by certain sensations that
che must not venture to look down; there was |
nothing for It now but to go onto go on at any
cost The sun beat more and more fierceiy upon
nor head The snow began to assume the appear
ance OF millions OF sparkling diamonds; 1t seemed
10 be full OF color; II shone with rose ana aIle.
thyst tints The clear air from the mountain
Kissed Hypatia's hot cheeks. The icy salute was
stimulating and refreshing She struggled ana
panted: her breath came short and thick once
ar twice she had to lean heavily on her apeh-
stock overpowered by a sudden sense OF vertiso'
She knew, however. that she was gaining s,ounu.
There was more bOwlder to pass, anu ,nen
the victory would be hers. Five minutes later
she had flung herself down or the summit OF tne
Rochers faint. sick and giddy. but VICTORIOUS
She was all alone on the topmost sohtary pean'
but she had won the day.
friend. She waited exactly three hours by her
watch. During that time her oody became
chilled 10 the bone and all her courage seemed 10
ooze out at he's feet Alone quite alone. Lucy
was without much moral stamina. Nothing was
further from her wishes than to desert hypat,a
but after shouting In vain several times she oesan
IN regard II in the light OF serious duty 10 hurry
back to Glion as fast possible. She tottered 10
her half-frozen legs. ~
Another quarter Of an hour ana shouiu oe
chilled to DEATH" she thought
She began cautiously and with many termed
cualms 10 descend the mountain. The dangerous
part was quickly got over ana theh Lucy oes""
TO run. r. -
Meanwhile Hypatia was alone. There was
something grand In being alone with nature.
founded her For the first half-hour she re-
ioiced at the thought Of being all by herseli III
this vast solitude: she seemed to feel the strong
arms Of Mother Nature supporting her. After a
time however these moments of ecstacy passed;
she began to think Mother Natures arms little
cold the solitude little awful, and her o""
sensations the reverse OF comfortable
she had left Glion In the morning at comforta-
bic temperature OF little under co. at the top OF
the Rochers de Naye. however. II was something
nearer 10 At 10 degrees Fahrenheit one IL soon
ny no
chartered her lips turned blue. her eyes watered,
her head was gddy. She staggered to her rect
II che did not intend to spend the night on the
peak she must Immediately begin to descend
| with resolute steps she approached the edge OF
| the lofty emnence. The moment she did 80, now
| ever, she uttered little cry; she found 10 ner
| horror that she dared not look down the giddy
pass-the mere thought even made her head reel
| She was also overpowered by a sensation which
| puzzled her not little Inc heignt wnich slie
| had scaled between 5000 and 1000 rect ABOVE
| the sea level Hypatia did not know that noun
| tain sickness assa.led anv one at this aititude;
| there was no DOUBT, however. that she telt sick'
| sick giddy wretched, unnerved; she pressed her
| hands to her ears, they were deaf; she shouted,
| but could scarcely hear her own voice; there were
singing noises In her head. however. when maue
the solitude no longer solitary; the noises seemed
| To mock at her. and laugh at her She felt as II
| thousands OF little sprites had taken possession
of her and were turning her and her grand leat
| into ridicue. Her position was certainty the re-
| verse of comfortable.
Whatever faults Hypatia Wentworth possessed,
| however, she was certainly not lacking IN pluck
She repented now Of the thing she had done; she
| saw that she was in danger Of perishng OF cold
but she had no idea OF parting with her HE Win
| out hard struggle. 1t would not be TO the creui,
| OF Girton that one Of It's undergraduates snouiu
| he found frozen on the top or the ROcners ue
| Nave: il would be very much to the fame OF Alma
Mater If a child of hers conquered circumstances
under such dangerous conditions hypaea
| walked about TO keep her blood in circulation
| she presently reached the forsaken hotel and
with icy fingers felt some Of the lower windows 10
| sec II by any chance she could open tnen, ana SO
| get into shelter. They were all fastened howeVe.
the place was absolutely deserted. The great
| hotel looked at this moment like a huge TOMB
| There porch, however. ana Hypatla I'D,
| into II and sat down She wrapped the shaw
| which she had taken with her closely around ner
slipped some brandy from her flask, and looked
straight ahead OF her ut the glorious sunset
| The sunset was indeed magnificent. Sne was
| surrounded by a chain of snow-capped mountains
When the dying sun touched them they assumed
one by one unearthy and spiritual appear,
ance Amethyst. gold. rose. violet. plood-reu
mingled with their virgin snow; each moment
their colors changed; they looked like Transparent
temples decked with sparkling jewels. les;
was a great deal to see such sight 10 De so Close
TO the gates of heaven itself; nevertheless pool
Hypatia shut her eyes YEARLY. She had come e
a moment in her life when even the beauties OF
nature ceased 10 cheer her.
Hugh Traford was enjoying tea on one OF the
terraces at the Victoria Hotel when Lucy John
son rushed suddenly into his presence
She was painting and eager her ugly dress wa'
in much disorder; she had taken off her glasses
her face looked wild.
That is my name" replied Traffod. in some
what lazy voice He enjoying his tea, anS
was not particularly pleased at being interrupted
"Wi you please come up to the top OF tn
Rochers de Mayer painted Lucy Hypatia
there all alone
Good heavens what do you mean?" said Iraf
ford. springing to his feet
Miss Weston. who was sitting near also rose t
hers Mona the white Pomeranian, gave bari
OF disapproval Trafford's face turned white.
you must be mistaken" he said What ar
you talking about?
to make the climb this morning. had no
the courage to go to the top. but Hypatia woul
go on she is there I don't think she cal
come back. I shouted to her. and she mace n
answer; oh. what is the natter
Let me pass" said Trafrord. abruptly
He walked away with quick strides. He was
big square built man. with a remarkably resolut
appearance In less than ten minutes time h
was driving up to Caux with a couple OF guides
They followed the road as far as they could; the
| then left the trap behind them and began the as
cent The night falling rapidly; soon
would be dark.
Hurry; find the shortest way" said Trafford.
He looked like a man Of iron The guides he's
tated and remonstrated they said they dare
not go on. 49,
you must" said Trafford; you will for golc
7 will give you double your usual fees. Come OF
come quickly we must get to the top befor
dark"
= He looked stern and quiet. but his heart wa
: beating fercely. He was seeing mental plctur
Of Hypatia all the way; her lovely but deflar
eyes were looking into his; their expressio
seemed TO change she seemed TO implore MIN; n
painted and climbed. and went faster and raster
Hypatla was unconscious when they found hel
she was dreaming peacefully as those do VINO al
| of cold She thought that she was back with ne
mother. that she had won her classical tripos an
that the laurel wreath OF renown was around ne
a brow. Trafford and the guides opened the note
Y and soon had great fire blazing, and after SON
hours of patient toll the Girton undergradua
was brought back to life When she opened NJ
eyes Trafford bending over her.
r where am II" she asked, In establishment
I ION the top OF the Rockers de Naye. he r.
piled.
p And you?' she asked.
Il came to bring you back" he replied. mo