The times., 1901-03-10

Now everything depended on the rope;
she could almost hear it creak and grOan.
Would it hold cut2
A glad shout from above reused her
from the tOrpOr into which she was sink
ing; there was a last violent jerk. and
then strong arms closed around her.
She did not faint She saw that the
guides faces were the color Of ashes. that
the sweat poured down their cheeks; she
saw that the ropes were frayed; that one
was almost cut through by the friction OF
the Jagged edge Of the preCipice. although
the guides had laid thIir coats and hats
and scarves underneath.
is he dead2' she whispered
mo. Fraulein." said the elder, who was
attending TO Valance. He is very much
cut and bruised. but his heart beats and
he breathes' She hardly recognized his
voice, it was so hollow and old.
She tore her handkerchiefs into strips
and bound his head. and something bright
and wet fell on the young artists white
face that looked SO beautiful and 50 still.
Rut her nerve was magnificent
Soon he recovered consciousness. and
began TO mutter fncOherently.
half an hour had passed before the
guides found strength and courage to at
tempt the task of carrying the wounded
man down TO the village.
The woman led the way. She walked
slowly, but her footing was sure as ever.
There were great difficulties TO be faced,
for neither of the guides had their hands
free.
1t is Just the time of day for stone ava
lanches. the elder brother muttered once.
But perhaps the Spirit of the great noun
tain respected the wOmanS dauntless
bravery, for that danger was not added
to tine others
The younger guide only spoke onos dur
ing the long, laboriOuS descent The wO-
man was rapidly cutting steps in the gla-
Cier which had 10 be traverSed. and which
was fortunately q fairly smooth one,
without am alarming crevasseS. and the
mans eyes We're wet as they rested on
81 Ifrrhr
"Das Fraulein fst Elm Engel GOttes! he
said.
AIl the way down she did exactly what
was necessary to give the men the great
est possible assistance. and she walked
into the hotel calmly enough. but she
tainted in Miss Grimm arms when that
lady hurried 10 her side.
Valance was very i'll for three weeks
Olga Braun appeared at table hote
three days later. although she limped and
her hands were baudaged Valance
called ceaseIess for her. but they We're
afraid her presence might excite him
Miss Grimm nUrsed the young man de-
votediy. and it was she who told him the
story of his rescue.
The whole village could talk of moth
ing else. the guides had TO tell the story
in detail to every inhabitant and every
visitor separately. And the first time Miss
Erdun appeared in public she received an
ovatiOn that was so earnest and so deep
Iy sympathetic that she could not find it
I'm her heart To be angry.
At last Valance was allowed 10 see her
He was passionateiv humble. she was a
little embarrassed. and tried to make him
talk of something else but his gratitude.
What can you think of me- ne said. Il
insulted YOU and your SeX-eVen the name
you be9r-to Your very face. and you re
pay me by saving my life at the almost
certain risk of your own, by attempting
thing that even those fine fellows. Fritz
and his brother. shiTkedI What can l say
but that I lOaChe myself and my ignorant
You and Miss Grimm have. indeed, heap
Cd Goals of fire on my head
Don't think of it any more. she said.
1T was my fault that you didn't know
who | was. / asked the proprietor 70
keep my name a secret wanted rest:
did not intend to do any climbing this
year. And every man has right 10 his
own opinion, you know she added. with
q little smile.
MY opinion was based on Grass ignor-
aucc and cOuceit. he said, glOOmily. 1t
wasn't worth holdinS-and you can never
forgive mel
But [ do. - she said. "and you must be-
lieye it."
A week later she came to bid him good
by.
Il must leave today" she said Il am
TO meet my sister at Lucerne'
Fle seized her hands and kissed them.
Before you so. let me ask you some
thing he said. "aud tell you something
/ love you-how could l help il? The life
you saved is yours forever VIII you take
IL. OIga-wiu you be my wife2'
we know so little of each other she
said. but something in the rich. low voice
made him bold.
AT least. then" he urged. may come
and see YOU. so that we can learn more OF
each other. and viii YOU teach me 10 love
and know and understand the mountains
as you de-"
That" she said. and there was a Iight
in her eyes that he read as a promise of
more. Il viii gladly undertake A. Ca
role Stanton, in the Strand Magazine.