Evening star., 1909-03-07
The Silent Barrier
Continued from page s

A picturesque chateau was perched on sheer
rock overhanging the Vale of Bregagla and
commanding far flung prospect almost to the
brink of Como On both sides rose the noun
tain barriers: but toward the east there was an
inviting gorge beyond which the lofty Gina di
Rosso flung its eternal SHOWS heavenward
A footpath led in that direction. Helen who
prided herself on her sense of locality, decided
that it would bring her to the valley in which
were situated. as she learned by the map
small lake and glacier.
That will be a fine walk before lunch" she
said, and it is impossible to lose the way.
So she set off. crossing the hotel golf course.
and making for a typical Swiss church that
crowned the nearest of the foothills. Beyond
the church the path not so definite. Oddly
enough, it seemed to go along the flat top OF
low wall down to tiny mountain stream.
were little used. and higher up, among some
dwarf pines and azaleas. broader way wound
back toward the few scattered chalets that
nestled under the chateau.
AS the guidebook spoke of a carriage road to
Lake Cavloccio and a bride path thence to
within a mile of the Forno glacier she came to
the conclusion that she was taking short cut.
At any rate, the summit of the next little
hill she would be able to see her way quite dis
tinctly: so she jumped across the brook and
climbed through the undergrowth.
REFORE she had gone twenty yards she
- stopped She was almost certain that some
one was sobbng bitterly up there among the
trees. 1t had uncanny sound, this plant OF
grief in such quiet, sunlit spot. She went on,
and soon came to low wall, and before She
quite realized her surroundings, she was looking
into grass grown cemetery. 1t was surprise.
this ambush of the silent company among the
trees. Hidden away from the outer world, and
SO secluded that its whereabouts remain un-
known to thousands of people who visit the
Maloggia each summer. there was an aspect of
stealth in its sudden discovery that was almost
menacing But Helen was not nervous SUBJ
ject. The sobbing had ceased, and when the
momentary effect of such depressing environ
ment had been resolutely driven off. she saw
that rusty iron gate was open The place was
very small. There were few monuments, SO
choked with weeds and dank grass that their
inscriptions were illegible.
Then she uttered an involuntary cry; for
mans head and shoulders rose from behind
leafy shrub Instantly she was ashamed of her
fear. 1t was the old guide who acted as coach
man the previous evening and he had been
lying face downward on the grass in that part
of the cemetery given over to the unnamed
dead.
He recognized her at once. Struggling awk
wardly to his feet. he said in broken and halting
German, 81 pray your forgiveness trdnPtn
l fear have alarmed you
" 1t is who should ask forgiveness. she said:
81 came here by accident. l thought could
go to Cavloccio by this path.
She could have hit on other words SO well
calculated to bring him back to every day life:
To direct the steps of wanderers in his beloved
Engadine was real pleasure to him For an
instant he forgot that they had both spoken
German.
"No, mol" he cried animatedly. "For lex
him 90 by village. Bad road dissa way. No
cross re field Verboten!"
Then Helen remembered that trespassers are
sternly warned off the low lying lands in the
mountains Grass is scarce and valuable. I'm
til the highest pastures yield to the arid rock
pedestrians must keep to the beaten track.
Il was quite mistaken" she said. Il see
now that the path was trying to reach leads
here only And l am very. very sorry dis
turbed you'll
He hobbled nearer. the ruin of a fine man.
with nobly proportioned head and shoulders;
but sadly manned by the accident which. to all
appearances, made him useless as guide.
Pardon an old mans folly frdnLein." he
said humbly. 81 thought none could hear. and
l felt the loss of my little girl more than ever
to-day"
Your daughter? Is she buried here?'
"Yes. Many year has passed; but | miss
her now more than ever. She was all had IN
the world frduiein l am alone now, and that
is hard thing when the back is bent with age y
Helen's eyes grew moist: but She tried
bravely to control her voice. WAS she
young?" she asked softly.
Only twenty, f,dnletn, only twenty. and as
tall and fair as yourself. They carried her here
sixteen wears apo This very day | did not even