Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-01-09
What a Child Saw.

By chtidren. They describe II as d wO-
man Faking leaves. When she looks up
ct them they see only a skull instead
Of q face. She may be raking over
there now. Yet we cannot see her."
Annette, who was with me. looked at
me with q frightened expression. We
were IN the valley Of ChamonIx sur
rounded by snowy peaks, among
which Mont Blanc rose highest. Hear
Ing OF the legend. had engaged a
guide 70 conduct US TO the spot the
ghost was said to inhabit.
Your children hereabout," said to
the guide, ''sFe doubtless under the In
fiuenee az the story. Imagination paints
the Image on the retina Of the chIld's
eye"
The guide shook his head negatively.
m herr WIN bring a child here who
has nsver heard OF the legend be will
know better"
THAT n q proposition which meets
my concurrence. An American family
arrived MT the hotel this morning,
among them little girl Of seven
What do you say, Annettef Shall We
make the test with herT'
Annette WINGED. she placed the tips
Of her fingers on my sleeve as II for
protection.
The act gave me a suggestion. ID
Was not clearly defined, nor had much
faith in II. Nevertheless, had mind
10 proceed.
I'VE will bring the child here" /
added. then, turning to the guide,
"and, Herman, II she sees the ghost
win give yOu nm American gold eagle
Tor q memento % the occasion"
Thanks, herr. | consider myself
richer by that amount"
"Don't nay sCe will bring her here"
said Annette, with shrug. II shall
have nothing to do with the matter"
surely you DO not expect wen,
then, Herman must lose his eagle"
I'll come" said Annette after 4 bit
Of struggle with herself.
We succeeded In getting permission
from the child's parents the next aft
erncon 20 take her to walk with US.
felt sure that II spirituality would en-.
able her 20 discern the ghost she
would see II. She was like walf
from spirit land. large dreamy eyes
wonder eyes I would cali them-the
face Of child Madonna, seng'tlve llDs.
the Agure of d sprite. She walked
with az In silence, tFeadlng the ground
NO lightly that I sometimes wondered
" she touched II at ali. Annette could
not keep her eyes or her. seemingly
ehthralled BY her. though our quest
may hare had much 10 DO with that.
Besides, our surroundings were i'm
pFeasive What Ia there more typical
Of the infinite than mountain rats
Ing tts white head into the heavenly
biuef And what more typical OF in
Unity than q host Of such mountains
looming On all sides. three snow
tringed glaciers wriggling like SER
pents down their sides? Our little
friend locked up at the peaks with q
sort o. trustfuInesa. az II they were
Animate-her older brothers, resting.
silent. conscious Of latent power. The
wind was fresh, ana II seemed that IL
would take up the child and carry her
20 some FAR peak gllded by the after
noon sun where she would be nearer
her own country.
AZ we drew near the spot We sought
Annette weakened. l saw In her ex.
preston that she feared we would
have evidence Of the spacteP,s pres.
ence, The child was walking before
~. and Annette. Siding toward me,
aid her hand ON my arm. an before,
bis time clutchlng II Ia terror.
We stood on the ground we had Oc- /
'upled the day before, looking out on /
he spot Herman had referred to when /
be said. she may be rakinR over /
here now" A wind rolled over some
lead leaves where we fancied the wo-
nan worked. Annette drew near me-
% near that her sllken sleeve rubbed
lgalnst my arm. The child stood a
e~ steps before Us, looking at the
the valleys. anything. ev.
that made up the view.
Herman has lost his eagle" I said
n a how voice to Annette. '.she sees
iothiaE unusual"
Thank heavenr' was the whispered
aply.
What desolate apotF' | remarked
loud. Not q living thing here bat
urselvea."
"Tes. there b." said the child.
There's a woman over there raking
cad leaves"
] felt conyulsive grip On my arm.
knew Annette needed support. aud I
q my arm about her to steady her.
anfesa was startled myself.
~wherefs asked Of the child.
Sover there. pointing. @She sees us.
her@ are only hoiea where the eyes
aeald b."
~0h. come nwayF'
10 was Annette who walled the
oFas. But ahe had 10 poweE. 10 80.
= plan had woreed too we'll 1ta OBJ
St-to excite in her that craving for
whieh woala throw her into
y aFms-had succeeded. bat feared
. shock. toek her IN my arms and
at my face against her cold cheek. ii
oked lore into her Wild eTes, An %