The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1916-03-07
Saw Him Talking With Hofer, the
Head Guide.
dozen names and a sheer that fastened

dozen names and a sneer that fastened
sself aggressiyely on Tommy.
Tommy learned that the pair had
been together for days, walking, noun
tain-climbing. Also that the counts
matrimonial status was extremely I'M
satisfactory and depended largely upon
the judgment to be delivered by the
Roumanian court of appeals. How
ever, he posed as married man and
wore an aggressive wedding ring,
which he regarded as safeguard, ap-
parently, against feminine wiles, par
ticularly American ones.
II don't like to see that fellow with
you" Tommy blurted out on the third
day. why do you go round with him
like that, Marion?"
Since when have you had the pre-
rogative Of asking me that question ?"
inquired Marion with great dignity.
See, here, Marion" cried Tommy,
II came over here-you know why /
came. And can't saa4 this sort of
thing any longer. You've got to tell
me there's chance, and more than
chance, or I'll-rll really quit. Yes,
Marion, mean just that. Isn't there
any chance at all?"
II don't know, Tommy" said Ma
rion candidly. You see," she went
on, II like you-well, awfully. But
somehow you're always the same.
There isn't any romance about you.
Couldn't you do something desperate
for my sake, Tommy"
She had fallen back into her banter
ing mood. She looked up at him teas
ingly,
I'll do anything If you'll give me
dogs chance" said Tommy impulsive-
ly.
Then get me an edelweiss from the
top of Grundelwald," said Marion.
The rare Swiss edelweiss grows
only in a few almost inaccessible
places. OF these the treachero1s top
of Grundelwald is one. The mountain
is never assembled except with an ex-
perienced guide. The ascent seems
easy, but the crevasses are almost hid
den from sight under the heavy snow
falls. A false step and one falls clear
of the needlelike summit sheer down
to the fangs of the rocks below.
Neither Marion-who had almost for
gotten her jesting words-nor Tom
my knew that.
Tommy had found the edelweiss
early in the afternoon. He had had
FOOLS luck to guide him and he had
been within few inches of death
without the least suspicion of that
fact. Marion did not even know that
he had gone. She was engaged in
Irritation with Count Skopianu on the
hotel balcony when the talk turned to
Tommy.
Il like him, that young American"
said the count. But why does he
scowl at me as If / was his bitterest
enemy?"
II guess he's a little Jealous" said
Marion.
HE loves you, then? He knew you.
perhaps, in American"
Yes, Tommy's a dear boy" said
Marion, penitently. Il believe he's
going up Grundelwald to get me an
edelweiss as a proof Of his devotion.
The count stared at her. "That is
not the young man who assembled
Grundelwald this morning and refused
a guide?" be asked.
II don't know; it would be just like
him." said Marion, struggling her
shoulders.
The count got up abruptly and left
her. Marion, looking after him in as
constituent and indignation, presently
saw him talking with Hofer, the head
guide, and pointing up the mountain
side. Presently the two men set off
with ropes. The sun was already half
way down the western slope.
It was not until ten at night, under
brilliant moon, that the three re-
turned. Tommy, in state of exhaus-
ton and frostbite, was wrapped in
blankets and put to bed. All the hotel
was talking about his foolhardy ex-
plot But in one hand he clutched the
edelweiss
The count, at his bedside, opened his
heart IN indignation.
1t is monstrous. Mr.. Griswold," he
exclaimed Indignantly. Had known
why, should have told you the dan
gers. Love does not set tasks like that.
She is worthless"
Tommy opened his eyes feebly.
Much obliged to you for saving my
life, count" he said in a weak voice,
"but I'll say good-by to you now"
The count, whose temper had been
soured by the receipt Of an adverse de-