The St. Mary banner., 1907-01-26

on the ascending car, here was reali
Ity. His reddish hair blew back from
his temples, white from the confine
ment of study.
The summer was almost past, but
near the summit there were no plants
to mark the change of season by their
brighter coloring. The stony bed OF
the new steel way was hardly ad
justed, and barrenness ruled under
| foot.
But raise your eyes, George. There
stand the monarchs of Switzerland
The eyes must be kept always open
He knows this, for when the lids shut
quietly he sees many far-away things.
Though the scenes shift in each one
| is figure buoyant with life and some
times wearing a plaid shawl and an
Alpine hat which shades the blue eyes
| beneath. In fact, the familiar eyes
are SO shaded that when George looks
into them the vision always fades;
he opens his own eyes and sighs him.
self back into the present moment.
Life would be quite another thing
| if he might allow himself these Wis
ions. But they come without leave,
and must be put aside. The question
which had often risen to his lips was
not the one he might ask
Having an invalid mother and no
money, a student may say, will you
pass me the bread?" while. his glances
speak many gentle courtesies. But
he may not say. "Will you share my
bread?" when there is hardly enough
for the mother.
Therefore sunshine is brightest
when the eyliis curtain the eyes,
Yet is a vision of fair possibilities
not half as real as the rain against
the window.
The car had arrived at the top.
George stood on the station platform,
contemplative Before the pleasure of
walking to the very summit he would
watch the car go down again. When
it should descend under the great red
sun, the Polyphemus eye of the noun
tain world, the last link with Zermatt
would be severed for the night.
He stood with his back to large
rock. When he arrived he had no
ticed two figures seated on it, 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 a city car.
A belated passenger was loudly
summoned by the conductor. Zone
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
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 he |
SO 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 bird on the step. George
her hand to detain her.
"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.
Instinctively he pushed her firmly
IN 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 to
hem in warning as the car gathered
such headway that George was oblig-
I'd to run.
All their past meetings and partings
we're in the clasp Of his hand, and he
would not let go. His hat far behind,
le followed, like Merlin. upreckoning.
IN the CLEAN, on the light from her
yes.