The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-10

He felt sense of exhilaratiOn beyond
that of the glorious mountain air when
he thought Of her friendly smile, il even
pleased him to remember that she sat on
the veranda while he went forth in search
of adventure. She smiled as he went; she
would smile as he returned. 1t was the
epitOme Of his ideals functions, to shed
light and comfort and rest. He was glad
there were a few such women left in all
the whirl of the present day, above which
is raised the cry of the shrieking sister
Equality-like the rau-
cous note of an evil bird Of the night.
AS he returned, toward evening. his
whole being stepped in the unearthly
beauty of the amphitheatre of gi-
ant peaks, dazzling, white, and pure
which he had gaZed upon from a neigh
boring height. he entered into converse
tiOn with two Of the best guides In the
village. and was persuaded by them to
attempt the ascent of the Schwarzhorn,
so called for no obvious reason, for 1t is
whittier than the whitest thing one can
imagine.
Rumors of his intention were aflost by
dinner-time. The Schwarzhorn was the
most important peak in the neighDorhood
its ascent was always attended by dan
ger. owing to the frequency of stone ava
lanches: in some weathers 1t was impos-
sible. Valance had suddenly become an
object of interest to the whole table
When do you START asked a fresh
faced American girl. and her eyes flashed
admiration OF his physical prowess.
!
or permits" he answered The guides
think it win. The snow, they say is IN
good condition"
Tle caught Miss Grimm twinkiinS
eyes fixed on him with what he took TO
be amusement lurking behind her specta-
cles. He addressed her with elaborate
carelessncss-
Your heroine of the Himalayas-your
champion Miss Olga Braun-how often
has she done the Schwe rZhOrn2
They say she knows every men oil H.
She went up twice last year and discov-
cred n new track from the second ca
bane," Miss Grimm answered, quietly.
DO tell us about some of your climbs,
Mr.. Valance interrupted the American
girl
He was not much Of a mountaineer. al
though the mere sight Of a snOw-peak
filed him with such enthusiasm and Ella
tion that he. felt a new man on his Swiss
holidays. He lack experience and the
Unborn genius of the climber into high
attitudes.
But he was filed with a newly-born
and insistent desire that the quiet
, brown-haired girl by his side should I'M
derstand that he was no carpet knight
that what he derided in her sex he glo-
ried in himself, he to whom pluck and
daring were a credit and not disgrace.
SO. turning instinctively to her-for the
American girls approval he cared not "A
iot-he told of some of the ascents he
had made-modest ones, all, and he kept
to the main truth, even If he did add on
Q few incidents to give life and color to
the recital. Anyhow, he said enough to
show an expert mountaineer, If there was
one present. that although rather more
than tyro. he was not of the choice
and intrepid spirits Of the Alpine Club.
And. stung by the quiet amusement he
saw, or fancied he saw. in Miss Grimm $
eyes, he wound up with "A TRADE against
| his particular bette noire, the athletic
woman.
when chivalry. which is one Of the
ennubline traits In mans nature and one
Of the forces that holds society together,
is dead. were his final words. then you
will have to thank your olga Brauns for
it.
There are different interpretations Of
the word 'chivalry,' was Miss Grimm $
answer. and l think mine is other than
yours
The brown haired girl had listened to his
recital with charming appreciation, but
she took no part in the argument that
followed, in which Valance was com
pletcly worsted by Miss Grimm, armed as
that lady was with oft-repeated argu-
ments and a flood of platform rhetoric.
The hours of the next day that he did
not spend IN preparation for his eXpedi-
ton Valance cOntrived to pass by the
brown-h haired girls side. and apparently
his companionship was congenial to her.
After dinner they sat on the veranda,
in the light Of the moon that bathed the
mountains in a silver glory.
They were very silent; Valance glanced
once OF twice at his companion. 1T is
not mere physical beauty that an artist
seeks" he thought; lit is face such as
this, with a soul shining through" And
the line Of her chin and throat was per
! feet.
II almost wish I was going with you
tomorrow 4" she said, at last She was
gazing dreamiiy over the crest of the
mountains. but, when she had spoken,
she seemed to become conscious of her
surroundings: and he did not see her
Quick, mirthful smile as she turned her
| head away.
The remark reused his violent preju-
| dice. II was like treason from the lips Of
his ideal