Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1907-03-29
ROCKVILLE MARYLAND FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH %. 1907
BY HONORE wILLSIE.

Penelope took a long breath and
started on after her brother and his
wife, who were chatting with the
guide. After the rough climbing OF
the morning the little plateau seemed
heavenly. But even this respite did
not ease Penelope's sense of irritation.
Arthur's and Alice's fad had seemed
80 amusing at first that she had Reads
lily accepted their invitation to join
them. To hunt the wild game OF the
Rockies with A camera was unique
l2isS IS ding but ~
OF the long tailed deer, 80 high among
the peaks that rapid work was misery,
had been very bad. The three days
chase for a snip at the black wolf had
been worse, and 1t ended In failure.
But this chase for mountain sheep
was trying Penelope beyond endur-
ance.
Its easy for Alice" thought poor
Penelope, digging her STAFF viciously
into a crevice "She's like bundle Of
steel wires. She loves to get up before
daylight and crawl half a mile on her
hands and knees to wait at spring
for some silly beast to come for a
drink. But I'm just worn out. Alicel
Arthur
The three enthusiasts ahead turned
back. "You three leave me here in the
shade of this rock and come back for
me when you are finished. am worn
out"
Arthur looked at Penelope in dlsmay.
"But don't you want to see a mountain
Sheep" he coaxed. "Since the black
tailed deer were In the river bottom
this morning the sheep are sure to be
up here Just think, Penelope, one of
those curious. rare mountain sheep"
But even this vision failed to move
his sister. She shook her head. Alice
gave resigned little sigh.
"I'll stay with you, Penelope" she
said.
"No, you won't" said Arthur hastily
tits not safe. Two women are no
better than one here"
Here the guide interposed. He had
been with them but a day, but already,
besides being their guide, he was their
counselor and friend. He was too well
bred to be treated otherwise. Penelope
looked at the stalwart, heavily beard
ed fellow In troubled way. His re-
semblance to Dick In spite Of the
beard was startling.
"Now, l tell you, Mr.. Seymore." he
said, you know as much about this
business as | do, and you tell me you
have been up this trail half a dozen
times before. Why can't l stay here
with your sister, fix up camp for the
night and let Mr. and Mrs. Seymore go
on and locate the sheepT
Good. goodw exclaimed Seymore.
Mrs Seymore looked a little dubious,
but Penelope spoke eagerly. Here was
a chance for an hour or two of rest
that was not to be foregone.
at will only be n couple OF hours"
she said pleadlngly. "You will be back
before dark, and 1 am so tired, and"
she added artfully, you may miss
your <only chance at the mountain
sheep"
Come on, Arthur" said Mrs. sey-
more, and the two started of up the
mountain.
The little plateau on which the col
loquy had taken place was smooth and
wide, with n little spring trickling out
Of the great wall of the mountain.
Penelope sat quietly watching the dis
tant peaks In the afternoon light while
the guide set about his preparation for
the nights camp, watching Penelope
surreptltiously the while. Very lovely
was the sunlight on the masses Of her
hair, the quick glow Of color in her
cheeks, the delight In her eyes as she
looked at the distant glory of the can
yon walls.
Finally her gaze wandered to the
guide as his work brought him close
beside her, and again the troubled look
came to her eyes
"Do you know" she said abruptly,
"you have resemblance to some one
used to know that Is startling"
The guide Strengthened himself and
looked at her keenly. rs that soT
he said In his quiet way.
Without knowing why, she added,
at was some one who was very dear
to me-"
"And nowT said the guide tenta-
lively.
"There Is no now" said Penelope,
rising and walking toward the edge of
the plateau.
The guide watched her anxiously.
mot too near the edge. please" he
called.
Penelope did not answer. Ear. far
below curled the silvery line that was
the river, then up and up chaos Of
color in the rock masses, and silence.
silence 80 intense that, though every
sense was keen to catch the brilliancy
Of the canyon coloring, Penelope stood
counting her own heart beats. She
leaned over a little to look at the ledge
below her.
And then the thing happened 80
sudden vertigo, a hoarse cry from be-
hind her, n sense Of endless falling.
then unconsciousness
After ages Of nothingness she open
ed her eyes-far above, the sky with
a glory of sun and snow, grandeur
Of distant peaks and far horizon, then
a sense Of pain and with 1t a mans
voice calling:
"Penelopel Penelopep And above
the brush grown ledge on which she
lay a mans face looked down upon
her
Here I ami I'm all rightT she call
ed back weakly.
"Will yo lie perfectly still while
get the roper called the guide. "FOr
For Sale In Rockville.