The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-01-14

ing for home on the next day but one,
and had arranged for a farewell eN-
cursion on the morrow, across the gla-
cier whose white mass could be seen,
placid and cold, over the tops of the
pine trees. For two months they had
been together in Switzerland. and they
had been bosom friends from boyhood-
up to within the last four weeks But
the advent of Mr. and Mrs. Morland,
with their beautiful and Vivacious
daughter, had gradually and impercept-
IDLY wrought a change in their reld-
lions. Both had been attracted by
Miss Morland: the artist--Lawrence-
by her beauty most of all; while the
other had sought and found solaCe
from the distractions of London lit
erary life in her naive manner and in
tellectual culture. Neither up to that
morning had ever hnted to the other
his aspirations or hopes, but many
situations are developed without words.
and each came to regard the other as
his sole rival-Grant regretfully, Law
renee with the arrogance and secret
dislike of an Unbalanced mind.
ut is true that you are going to
leave us so sOon?" asked Mrs, MOrland,
after the first salutations were over.
Yes, we're off on Wednesday, back
to town." Grant replied.
And shall we have the pleasure of
seeing you in London this winter, Mrs.
Morland?' asked Lawrence.
Il hardly know. Mr.. Morand talks
of San Reno and Florence. and Ada
Of Algiers--so ear that in any case
our steps will not be northward."
a
latest home news, only ten days old. as
1t appeared in the "Dorhi Xeitung." a
four page sheet, half German. half
English, and to talk Of recent depart
ures from St. MOritz, Pontresina and
DavoS
Meanwhile. Grant seized the oppor-
tunity to engage Miss Morland in a few
minutes earnest conversation apart
which, pleasant as it seemed to both
parties, did not appear to promote
LaWrence's eCuanimity. But it re.
quired the sharp eye of Mrs MOrland 10
detect this much, for the artist was at
no time accustomed to wear his
heart upon his sleeve" However, with.
out further episode the gentlemen took
their leave and together returned to
their hotel
Next morning rose bright and cloud
less. and found the two pedestrians al
ready on their way to the upper slopes,
where flanked on either side by crags
and cliffs, and pinnacles of rock, lay
the glacier they were about to cross
IL mad been arranged that they should
make the descent into the adjoining
valley by way of the Steifier Pass to
the village of Fluela, which they would
reach in time to catch the diligence
IN the evening, and SO return to Dorhi.
guide had been dispensed with, and
indeed, with their experience in noun
taineering and the comparative ease of
the present expedition, there was no
occasion for one. The few early watch
ers from the hotel balconies could easily
descry them when they cleared the
wood and proceeded to make their way
over the grassy activities on to the
mOraine, and thence to the glacier.
Over this their course was toilsome
and slow. The suns heat of the pre-
vious day had slightly melted the sur
face of the snow, only to have it frozen
hard and slippery at nightfall. In the
higher attitudes too, a slight covering
Of snow bad fallen. treacherous to the
that might lurk underneath. However,
they We're seen to reach the sky line,
to lnger on the highest level of the
snow, as If for a short breathing space,
for few minutes, resuming their toll
some walk, to disappear down the other
side
Here Lawrence, | will let you have
the benefit of carrying the axe on the
way down." said Grant IF there are
any steps to be cut ! will let you know
in good time"
Grant was leading, as he had done all
along since they had quilted the stones
of the moraine. A strong rope. some
twenty yards long, with the opposite
ends passing round the waist of each,
bound them together.
Half of the distance over the glacier
had been accomplished, when suddenly
the leading man slipped and fell at n
steep part of the descent. Before Law
renee had noticed it the loose rope had
become taut and in an instant he had
lost his footing and was following his
companion in his rapid glissade. A few
moments later and their pace had aC-
Celerated to dangerous degree, though
at first the motion was pleasant
enough, and LaWrence's subsequent
wild efforts to retard it with the helm
of his axe We're fruitless because Of
their wildness. Their course had be-
come almost headlong, when he saw
his companion, who was somewhat in
front, bound off a shelving mass of
snow and then disappear. Next mo-
ment he was caught in the same shelf
buried to his shoulders, and felt him
self almost suffoCated as the rope
tightened around his waist and chest.
He was safe so far, but i'm deadly
peril, on the edge of a crevasse, into
the depths of which his companion's
weight was slowly dragging him. To
seek To stay his downward course with
the help of his ice axe, and devise some
means of rescue for his friend was the
one imperative step that lay before him.
But that step, though he bitterly re-
GREETED il after. he did not take. A
struggle of conflicting emotions, Of past
friendship and present jealousy, Of
sympathy and despair, and in one
overwhelming moment Of craven cow
ardice he struck blow at the rome
now strained to its utmost tension. One
of the strands gave way, but the other
two still held together though almost
at the breaking point Another blow.
muttered curse, and again a wild
stroke, and then-I.awrence was free.
his safety was assured, with "A sicken-
Ing feeling at heart that whispered TO
him murderer"
Without venturing To peer over the
edge Of the yawnlng chasm. he crawl
ed on hands and knees from the fatal
spot, and slowly retraced his steps over
the glacier, He had presence OF mind
enough to fray the ends of the tell-taIa
strands of rope before reaching his no.
tel Mhnnna q .nnl.rl, -