Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1900-05-10
A Eatal
Aly|lis1gaAlse,

about the Sierra Morena FOOTHILLS near
her fathers cabin. She had the soul OF
a poet, and her eyes never tired OF the
wild beauty that met them whichever
way they turned.
One day che had scaled the face of a
cliff,olinglng with feet and hands to such
crevices and projections as she could
fiud, until she had reached q certain
point from which she had long wished
to look across Santa Clara Valley toward
the Monte Dlablo range.
But how could she look outward with
her face turned toward the cliff?
On the top of the next ledge above
grew gigantic oak tree. One of its
limbs curved downward and stretched
an erratic branch over the cliff, just near
enough fer Freda to grasp. Relying on
it for support she turned about facing
the beautiful valley but also facing a
fearful chasm into which even she scarce
ly dared look.
The cliff behind her slanted slightly
inward and for the sake of better view
Freda loosened her hold upon the branch
and leaned backward. AS she did So
the branch flew far above her reach and
a great stone that had been weighing
the upper limb, having been caught in
a crotch OF the branches crashed down
ward, nearly striking her feet on Its
way.
Freda forgot the beauty of Santa
Clara Valley then; she leaned hard
against the cliff and set her feet firmly
over the slight projections upon which
her life depended. And then she tried
to think. She could move neither up
ward nor downward with her face to-
ward the chasm there was no escape
fo! her unless she could turn towards
the cliff the juts on which her feel
rested were so small that it was impos-
sible to turn without clinging to some
thing with her hands; s;there was nothins
for her hands to cling to-
Such review of the situation passet
through Freda's mind.
Realizing her awful peril she cried on
with scarce a hope of being heard;
Father, father, help me, save mel
Before the echo of her voice had dice
away an answer foated softly down from
somewhere overhead:
Stand very still be brave : help i
coming
But the tones were unfamiliar. Th
voice was not her fathers.
Almost Immediately the branch abov
was pressed downward until she wa
able to sieze il.
Turn very cautiously directed th
voice. DO you feel safe now?
Quite, thanks, said Freda. faintly.
Can you let 90 of the branch until
climb back to the ledge and return
again?
Yes
Y want to fetch my overcoat and tea
it up to made rope to let down to you
u can climb to the ledge now withou
help sad Freda, with returning oour
age.
DO not attempt it, l beseach you
pleaded the voice, but she was aread
making the ascent, moving rapidly, de
termined to prevent the sacrifice of tn
overcoat.
Near the top pair of hands, stron
as an athletes, white as woman {
reached down, drew her lightly to tn
place of safety and deposited her on tn
grass at the foot of the tree.
There, little one, take breath. | shaI
not allow you to speak word until yo
have rested said the gentle voice--gen
tie, yet masterful.
Freda closed her eyes and leaned he
head against the mossy tree trunk. Sh
was, indeed, half fainting from the re-
action following her danger and terror
How safe she felt! From the ledge al
easy path wound down to the road-an'
how she trusted in her new protector.
Bv and by leaf cup filled with waite
from spring was held against her lips
She drank eagerly and afterwar'
opened her eyes and sat straighter feel
ing strong again.
On the grass before her, looking wit
anxious kindness into her face, knelt
man Of perhaps twenty four years of az
with grave blue eyes and somewha
delicate face, smooth shaven.
Sir said Freda, you have saved m
life; you have--'
DO not speak of it,
>Oh, but l must speak of it. Ny fathe
is two mllee away; he would never hav