Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-11-14
TcontsmplatIve Before the ple.sure a /

contsmplative Before the pleasure II
walking to the very summit he would
watch the car go down again. When
1t should descend under the great red
sun, the Polyphemus eye of the moun-
tain world, the last link with zermatt
would be severed for the night.
He stood with his back to a large
rock. When he arrived he had no.
ticed two figures seated on 1t, and
had idly thought Of them as chance
companions on the summit over night.
The Lilliputian hustle of departure
as the car was prepared for descend
ing amused him. How different this
adjustable and particular start from
the hurried stoppages and confused
crowd of city car.
A belated passenger was loudly
summoned by the conductor. "One
moment" came the answer as two
ladies passed George, hurrying to-
ward the car. 1t was Die Tante, with
Elizabeth. At the sound of the voice
he knew who it was, and yet his eyes
needed proof. AS Elizabeth passed
him he laid a hand on her arm. She
turned and recognized him.
Surely the snow fields lend a
strange and radiant light to the eyes
which behold them. Perhaps Eliza
beth had sat too long on the great
rock.
But the car is going-now," came
from her in gasps as If she were an
swering some question.
Two other passengers were to go
down. Happily they were quarreling
over the disposition of their satchels.
Die Tante had hurridly attained seat
in the car and stood transfixed, a
spirit Of wonder at the unforeseen.
| George found speech after several
precious seconds had elapsed. He still
kept his hand on Elizabeth's shawl
where the blue stripe crossed the red
one. The evening air from the glac-
iers was like wine.
Elizabeth, the sunrise here will be
80 wonderful, SO without compare
he eagerly said. Her advent had be
wildered him. The reality was still
part of his vision and, like the sun
rise. wonderful beyond compare.
The car started with Elizabeth pois
ed like a bird on the step. George
grasped her hand to detain her.
4 "The beautiful mountain-tops. We
must see them together. he cried, as
the wheels moved. Even while he
spoke the car gained speed, and he
walked quickly beside it.
| 1nstinctively he pushed her firmly
on to the platform of the car, for
safety, but did not relinquish her
hand. Die Tante stood ready to jump
off in case of need. Voices called tc
them in warning as the car gathered
such Roadway that George was oblig
ed to run.
All their past meetings and partings
were in the clasp of his hand, and he
would not let go. His hat far behind
he followed, like Merlin, unreckoning
on the CLEAN, on the light from he1
eyes.
"Ah love, cannot" came from him
without his wish.
Elizabeth bent towards him from
the car. She had thought, thus
far, only of the miracle of his pres
ence. Now she realized that there
was danger to face For her to loose
his hand was impossible, so firm was
his hold.
For her to jump off-no. Yet ii
he were hurt! Never had his safety
been SO imperative.
There was no time to lose. Get
on, quick" she called, loud enough
to conquer the noise of wheels and
pulled him forward and up with all he,
strength.
George came, suddenly to his
senses. With a. brave laugh and 4
firm foot he challenged the gods and
gained the platform.
The bunch of feathers on Eliza
beth's green hat quivered like aspens
as he drew himself up, still holding
her hand. If you cared for her you
must look to see if she, too, trembled
After all, three can live on very
little if the austere spirit of self
sacrifice walk among them, and the
tender hand Of new daughter to
smooth the pillows in the sick room
is worth more than gold.-Margaret
Jeanette Gates in Massachusetts
'Ploughman.