Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-15

the minister spoke.
"There is chance for escape. Take
It; the good God will pardon YOU"
But the bridegroom stood firm and the
"Not till the words are said which
make US man and wife," declared Carle-
ton Roberts. Understand here his
perfect courtesy manifested itself even
feel 1t your duty to carry what as
sistance you can to the saving 81 your
frightened flock"
"God must save my flock" said the
minister with a solemn glance upward:
II am where my duty places me-" And
with guests and Joy attended the cere-
mony instead Of apprehended doom, he
proceeded with the rite!
''Wilt thou have this man"
The glad II will leaped bravely from
Ermentrude's lips; but it was lost in
loud calls and shrieks from without.
mingled with that sound-terrible to all
who hear-impossible to describe-of the
might Of the hills made audible IN this
6own-rushing mass, now hating, now
always coming. till its voice, but now
a threat. swells into thunder In which
all human cries are lost, and only from
the movement Of the minister's lips can
this couple see that the words which
Then comes theNbenediction, and with
the falling Of those holy hands. head
long rush into the open ARA vision Of
flying forms here, there and everywhere
men staggering under foolish burdens
to heaven or flung around their babes
hope lost under the bowling mountain;
and in the midst Of 1t all, plain to the
view Of all. the strangers horse and car.
rage which, standing there. stamped
with undying honor these terrified, WI,
them though death had them by the
hair.
"Quick! quick! You mother there with
the child, get in, get in; there Is room
here for one more"
But another got the place. The driver,
seat and hung there between the wheels
as the horses plunged and tore away to
safety just as the great mass with Its
weight Of gathered powders and up
rooted forests crashed in final doom
upon that devoted village; buryinpg sap it
To safety? Yes, for two of them;
the other, struck by flying stone.
fell in the road and was covered in a
trice. So close were they to destruc-
tion's edge at this moment Of head
long fight.
Not till the painted towers encir-
cling Lucerne had come again into
sight did the newly welded pair find
words or make the least attempt to
speak Then Carleton kissed his bride
and for q moment love was trium-
plant. Was it triumphant enough to
lead him to acknowledge their mar
riage? She looked anxiously in his
face to see. and. finally, she asked:
"How much Of this are we to tell.
Carleton?"
Al about IL the sns catastrophe but
And while her heart retained Its ho-
mage, the light in her eyes was yelled:
Married but not acknowledged!
Would it not have been better y the
avalanche had overwhelmed them?
murmured in her ear:
II shall follow you soon. Did you
think could go on living without
"Why SO thoughtful. Ermentrude?
"Uncie is very iii. The doctors say
that he may not live month"
"And does that grieve you?"
A yes was on her lips, but she did
not utter it. Instead, she drew Ut
hung a plain gold ring, and. gazing
earnestly at this token, she remarked,
very quietly:
that but for this ring no proof re-
mains in all this world OF our ever
But our hearts know 1t. Is that
not enough?" he asked.
For today. yes. But when uncle
His kisses finished the sentence for
her and love resumed it's sway; but
when alone and wakeful on her pillow
she recalled his look, the sting of her
first doubt darted through her uneasy
heart, and feeling eagerly after the
ring she tore it from its ribbon and
put it on her finger.
'It Is my right" she whispered.
"Henceforth I shall wear it. He
loves me too we'll to quarrel with my
decision. Now am really his wife,"
Did she see q change in him? Did
he come less frequently? Did he stay
less long? Was there uneasiness in
his -coolness-languor? No. no. 1t
was her exacting heart which thus in
terpreted his 1oolk-which counted the
days-forgot his many engagements
saw Impotence in the quickness with
which he corrected her faults in man.
ner or language. instead Of the old in
diligence which met each error with
a smile. Love cannot always keep at
fever heat. He. the exposure of the
whole foreign element, had the world
at his feet here as in Lucerne. 1t
needed no jealous eye to see this;
while she-well, she had her attrac-
tions, too, as had been often proved,
and with Gods help she would yet be
a At mate for him. What she now
lacked she would acquire. She would
watch these fine ladies who blushed
with pleasure at his approach, and
when her time Of mourning was over