Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-06-21

and threw That down, ana aIterWaru proceeded 10
arrange the provisions; but here anew difficulty
met her. She had forgotten to bring rope, and
the pit In which Donadio lay was more than ten
feet deep. She dared not attempt to climb down
to him in the darkness; she feared to injure him.
Still less did she dare to leave him with
out nourishment of some kind. Suddenly
thought struck her. She took off the heavy silver
chain which she wore coiled many times about
her neck, and measured its length which was
nearly five feet. Then she rose to her feet and
took the pins out of her hair. She was tall wo-
man. but it had been her boast that when drawn up
to full height, she could still put her foot upon her
golden braids. She now quickly fastened the chain
to the end of her braids, and tying bottle OF wine
to the chain she knelt down, and bending forward,
lowered the bottle carefully. 1t was an nexpres-
sible relief to her to find that Donadio was able
to take it, and to have him assure her that he felt
revived and better Little by little she thus lowered
to him all the contents of her basket and them still
kneeng by the side of the pit she sought to revive
him with her voice, for 1t agony to her to feel
assured she did, that In spite of the determined
cheeriness of his voice. he was evidently growing
fainter. She knew too how liable an injury was
to be fatal where the limbs were powerless and
painless but she forced herself to speak cheerfully
and continually lest he should drift away from her
into unconsciousness Once the sobs rose in her
throat. And compelled her to silence and instant
ly Donadio called in a startled voice. 'Lisel!"
81 am here, rein Herr. my darling" she cried.
81 will never leave you while live"
Wait" said Donadio, with a painful effort, 81
had forgotten. Lieschen, when die, the edelweiss
you will find it in the pocket of my jacket over
my heart"
"You will not die mein Herr; you must not die"
cried Lisel in an agony And then she poured out
the history of her love with intensity heightened
by her rage against herself and the anguish of
feeling bliss almost within reach, which yet she
feared she might never grasp. And when the gray
light of dawn showed her her lovers face, pale in
the gravelike shadow where he lay. it was with
smile upon it. She had literally kept him from
swooning by the power of her love- But the dawn
increased Lisel's terror and anxiety. Nothwith-
standing repeated Jodels one had come to her
assistance and every moment she knew was prec
ious for Donadio She could not bear to- leave
him. yet she began to fear that it would be neces
sary for her to do SO If help were to be forth
coming. A look of pain crossed Donadios face as
she explained this to him, and with true femn
inc tact she quickly returned to the story of her
love for him. how they would be married soon
whenever he pleased; how she would never leave
him. never except now, just for moment, to call
her remorse her midnight walk her to cut
off her hair if he were found alive adding
quickly: You will go with me, mein Schatz, to
bind my hair about the crucfx. For 1t is yours
I yours. You will forgive me If I am not
as pretty as before, for l cut my hair for you"
And as she spoke the bright braids fell on DON
adio's breast. Lisel had suited the action to the
word, and had shorn them ruthlessly from her
head. "There!" she cried, with a gayety which
she far from feeling that will show you how
real it is-my love for you 1t will prove that
shall come back with help And with bright
smile she was gone, lifting up her clear strong
voice in succession of ringing Jodes as she
sprang down the rocks. Before long to her mex
pressible relief, an answering Jodel met her ears
and she deserted her father in the distance with
several neighboring peasants, furnished with ropes
and cords.
More than twenty years have passed since that
day. but have the rough, stern men who
present brush away tear as they described
Donadios quiet, cheerful courage, and the cry of
love and agony with which Lse threw herself
upon him, and kissed his hands and face and dress
in a rapture of pain and joy. AS quickly pos
sible a sort of litter constructed, over which