The times., 1901-03-10

He felt a sense of exhilaration beyond
that of the glorious mountain air when
he thought of her friendly smile; it even
pleased him TO remember that she sat on
the VeTanda while he went forth in search
of adventure She smiled as he went; she
would smile as he returned. It was the
eptOme Of his ideals functions, to shed
light and comfort and rest. He was glad
there We're a few such women left in all
the Whirl of the present day, above which
is raised the cry of the Shrieking sister
hoOd-Athleticism, Equality-like the raU-
cous note of an evil bird Of the night.
As he returned, toward evening, his
whole being stepped in the uneartnly
beauty of the amphitheatre Of 81
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 it is
whittier than the Whitest thing one can
imagine.
RGmors Of his intention were ahoat by
dinner-time The Schwarzhorn was the
most important peak in the nelghDOrhood,
it's ascent was always attended by dan
ger, owing TO the frequency Of stone ava
lanches in some weathers it was impos-
sible. Valance had suddenly become al
oh bjeCt Of interest to the whole tADle-
When do you start2' asked a fresh
faced American girl and her eyes flashed
admiration OF his physical prowess,
The day after tomorrow, If the wealth
or permits" he answered. The guides
think it viii. The snow, they say, Is In
good condition.
RE caught Miss Grimm's twinkins
eyes fixed on him with what he took to
be amusement lurking behind her specta-
cIes He addressed her with elaborate
carelessncss.
Your heroine of the HimaIayas-your
champion. Miss Olga Braun-how often
has she done the Schwerzhorn2'
They say she knows every inch OF II.
She went up twice last year and discoV-
cred a new track from the second ca
bane," Miss Grimm answered, quietly.
do tell us about some Of your climbs,
AIr. Valance interrupted the American
girl.
He was not much Of mountaineer, al
though the mere sight Of a snow-peak
filed him with such enthusiasm and ella
tiuu that he. felt a new man on his Swiss
holidays. He lacked experience and the
iuborn genius Of the climber into high
attitudes.
But ne was filled with a newly-born
and insistent desire that the quiet
brown haired girl by his side should un-
derstand that he was no carpet knight;
that what ne 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 girl 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, II 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 bete nolre, the athletic
woman.
ennoblinc traits In mans nature and one
Of the forces that holds society together,
is dead, were his final words, then you
viii have TO thank your olga Brauns Tor
There are different interpretations Of
the word 'chValry,' was Miss Grimm 5
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
pleteiy worsted by Miss Grimm, armed as
that lady was with oft-repeated aTgu-
ments and a food OF platform rhetoric.
The hours of the next day that he did
not spend in preparation for his eXpedi-
tiOn Valance cOntriVed to pass by the
brOwn-haired girl side, and apparently
his companionship was congeniai to her.
After dinner they sat on the Neranda,
in the light Of the moon that bathed the
mountains in a silver glory.
They We're very silent; Valance glanced
once or twice at his companion. 1t is
not mere physical beauty that artist
! seeks" he thought; 1T is Il face such as
/ this with a soul shining through" And
the line Of her chin and throat was per
feet
Il almost wish I was going with you
tomorrow she said, at last. She was
! gazing dreamily 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. 1t was like treason from the lips OF
! his ideal