The age-herald., 1900-02-11

dueed rather a shock to realize that they had reached a point beyond which they could not go.
 Directly in front of them the cascade of water fell from a precipiee over one hun dred feet in height. The avalanche was not of immense volume but sufficiently large to present a vision of amazing beauty. The stream fe11 with considerable force about | one-third the distance down upon a ledge of the rocky walh sthen splashing and foaming it made another leap to a lower shelf. and third to the deep pool 1t had worn fer itself. The spray and mist reached even to. Whore the young folks stood, awe stricken, to behold this marvel of nature.
 Everything was forgotten for the time, as they watched the magnificent spectacle before them. The rainbow in the spray, the white foam from the seeIhing, boiling wa ter, the towering mass of rocks below the solid walls filled them with emotion which would have served to silence them had not the deafening roar from the waterfall ren- dered conversation impossible.
 Resting awhile, lingering to. enjoy the dazzling splendor of the scene, they at last turned to retrace the wearlsome steps. Hungry and tired as they were when con- ducted a second time to the strangers 8 cabin. they were prepared to relish what seemed to them a collation. of good things, though in. truth, it was only some wild honey and bread, and the remnant of game left from his breakfast.
 He talked little about himself. and by no means gave them any clew that could serve to satisfy their curiosity concerning him. They learned that he lived all alone, and had been in this little house for several years. It was not needful for him to inform them that he was not native to the place, for his speech indicated that fact. The vo- cabulary of the simple mountain folks was limited to not more than three or four hum dred words, and these were pronounced with peculiar drawl that was unmistak- able.
 The boys perceived that their mysterious acquaintance had some reason for his mode of existence wf'r- = did not care to inn part to them. Greatly as they desired to know more of him, they were too polite to be inquisitive and restrained their wish to ask questions, which might appear to him impert.nent. They received an invitation to visit him again, and though not a very hearty one, they each resolved ito accept it. and leaving him in his lonely home, they departed, stin full of wonder toward the eccentric individual
 The return trip was less tedious than 1t appeared in the morning, perhaps because of so many interesting subjects for dis cussion and the anticipated delight in tell ing Fred and the homefolks of the days exploits. They talked busilye of the perils and dangers of the road they had traversed of the remarka ble bear which they them- selves had killed, the falls and the sub ject of paramont importance was the nys- terious stranger. ,... .t. ,-.t
 Busily chattering and unconscious of the flight of time, they at last came in sight of the road which the only entrance and exit of the little settlement It was peculiarly inaccessible being completely surrounded by hills, and this road wound in and out among mountains so steep that as Fred said, 1t was quite evident one must choose it or take an aerial journey, to reach the little village nestlfng between the mountains a. 7 They were trudging onward over the rocky path, intent only on the matters With which their minds were busy, scarcely talk ing the time to gather flowers and weeds or to pick up Indian relic or a geologicals specimen, in which things they generally took keen delight.
 So full of events had the day been for them it seemed impossible that another could occur that would be even Of compar- ative interest; and yet, as they reached the road, they beheld that which so com pletely surprised and astonished them, as to temporarily. at least, sink into insig- nificance every one of the thrilling experi- ences of the day.
 ''Look!' and "Who would have believed it?' burst from the amazed young people. With many similar expressions of surprise they stood and waited.
 Gro be continued)