Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1908-12-04
+ II 6
MI A D nj A N
k@SSA
MsGN
BY Harold Carter.

There is the hut, perched upon the
top of the Shoulder, stored with pro.
visions for climbers. In few min.
utes we shall be sitting wrapped in
blankets before blazing fire."
The two men stopped for moment,
painting, watching the woman behind
them toiling up the slippery slope.
All three were roped together, and
the woman the last.
Come, let us proceed" the speak.
er continued. Take care. 1t is very
dangerous here. Look down. One
false step would precipitate one down
this icy slope to the verge of the preci-
pice-and then sheer for 5000 feet into
the valley below"
Take care Miss Summers does not
hear you, Frank" said the second man,
frowning. Your imaginations are
grewsome. Besides, you are forget.
ting the rope"
"Ah, yes, the rope. / had forgot
ten. Besides, my dear Claude, grew
some imaginations are all that are left
to rejected suitor"
They advanced slowly, digging their
iron-pronged sticks into the slippery
ice. Presently the first man stopped
again and seated himself. The rope
grew slack
Come, pull us in," Claude shouted
Il can't move an inch with Miss Sum-
mers behind me-"
His companion laughed and drew a
knife from his coat. With a furious
gesture he cut the rope.
Curse you," he shouted, furiously.
Now pull aud see If you can reach the
top"
scream broke from the woman's
lips. Claude did not answer, but
pulled with all his strength till the
veins stood out upon his forehead like
cords. He gained yard, two yards;
then slipped and went slipping down
the precipice. The woman had dis
appeared from view, yet the rope was
taut; so long as he remained even
on the very edge of that precipitous
slide it would hold her securely.
With bleeding nails he clawed at the
ice. and at last dug himself a pre-
carious hold and lay prone upon his
lace Win dTIlS eAIeHueu.
Frank, for Gods sake-for Isabels
sake! Pull her in at least, and fling
me over"
mo, no, my dear boy" cried the
madman, mockingly. You are making
too fine fight; / shall sit here and
drink to you" He vanished into the
hut and presently emerged with bot
tie of brandy, from which he began
gulping great mouthfuls. You FOOLS"
he continued. Did you think that
would yield her to you so peaceably?
She was mine, l tell you, mine, before
you stole her, curse you!"
Hhe brandished the knife wildly.
The setting sun lit up his distorted
features.
"oh, don't be afraid" he Knocked. 81
am not going to kill you, Claude. l
would like to save you. 1t is always
the woman who is to blame. Here,
take the knife he shouted, fiinging
1t at his companions feet Without her
weight you can easily make the
ascent. Cut the rope like a brave
man, and come up and drink confu-
sion to women"
The sun went down; darkness
rushed over the mountains. The moon
flooded them in her silver light,
and 1t grew bright as day once more.
The cold was intense.
Minutes rolled into hours. The
taunts of the madman died away into
drunken babblings, and finally he re-
mained silent. Meanwhile, inch by
inch they lost their foothold; and
Claude slid from one desperate grip
to another. Sometimes they called,
one to another.
Cut the rope, dear" she said at
last. 1T is your only chance; you
must not sacrifice your life for mine"
They said good-by many time; and
Io- Aho man