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

| Now everything depended on the rope;
| she could almost hear it creak and groan.
| Would it hold out?
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 fraveF: ...isal one
was almost cut through by the friction OF
the Jagged edge of the precipice, although
the guides had laid thIfr coats and hats
and scarves underneath
rs he dead?" she whispered.
mo. Fraulein.'' said the elder. who was
! cut and bruised. but his heart beats and
I 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.
! sut her nerve was magnificent.
Soon he recovered consciousness, and
began to mutter incoherently.
Half an hour had passed before Ire
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 as ever
| There were great difficulties to he 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 wOman's dauntless
/ bravery, for that danger was not added
to the others.
The younger guide only spoke OnOn dur
| ing the long. laboriOus descent The wO-
man was rapidly cutting steps in the gla-
cier which had to be traversed. and which
was fortunately a fairly smooth one
without am alarming crevasses. and the
mans eyes We're wet as they rested on
he or
.l1as Fraulein list elm Engel Gottesr' he
said
All 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's arms when that
lady hurried to her side.
Valance was very i'll for three weeks
Olga Braun appeared at table d'hote
three days later, although she linped and
her hands were bandaged. Valance
called ceaseless for her. but they were
afraid her presence might excite him.
Miss Grimm nursed the young man de-
votedly 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
oyation that was so earnest and so deep
ly sympathetic that she could not find IL
in her heart to be angry.
At last Valance was allowed to see her.
He was pIssionately humble; she was a
little embarrassed and tried 10 make him
talk of something else but his gratitude.
What can you think of me- he said. II
insulted you and your SeX-eVen the name
YOU bear-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. shirkedl What can l say
hut that I lOathe myself and my ignorant
presumption. my blind. stupid prejudice?
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 vcu didn't know
who | was. | asked the proprietor to
keep my name n secret wanted rest; I
did not intend to do any climbing this
year And every man has a right 10 his
own opinion, you know" she added. with
4 little smile.
My opinion was based on Grass ignor-
auCe and conceit. he said, Sloomily. Ii
wasn't worth hOldlnS--and you can never
forgive mel
But | do, ' she said "and you must be-
lieve it."
week later she came to BIZ. iilirn good
Il must leave today" she said. Il am
to meet my sister at Lucerne-"
He seized her hands and kissed them.
Before you so. let me ask you some
thing" he said. and tell you something.
/ love you-how could | help it? The life
you saved is yours forever. WIN you take
it, Olga-Wiu you be my wife,
1--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 will you teach me TO love
and know and understand the mountains
as you do"
That" she said. and there was light
in her eyes that he read as promise of
more. II win gladly undertake. A. Ca
role Stanton, in the Strand Magazine.