Year: 1876

In an Alpine valley. one pleasant
summer evening. couple might
have been seen strolling through the
pine forests.


Henri dwelt with his aged parents
in q neighboring valley, in which
Marie resided with her widowed
mother. A small farm in a noun
tain gorge gave him daily occupation.
1t was hard contest, that in which
he was engaged with stern nature.
He had to raise bulwarks against the
falling rocks, and substantial angu-
lar fortresses to resist the incursions
OF avalanches, otherwise his fields
would often have been covered with
the debris OF the mountain. The pro
duce OF this highland farm was not
likely to make him a wealthy man.
But the courage, industry.tact, neces-
sary to hold his own from constant
conflict, preserved him from the ener-
vation OF luxury.


Msrie attended few cows that
rambled over the mountain pasture.
If simple in manners and not refined
in education, she was not without that
sense Of propriety which so often dis
tinguishes the Continental peasant,
and which confers a sort OF gentle
ness and polish only to be procured
by others in the cultivation Of society.
She had not been wholly neglected
in school lore, and had been an apt
pupil in that grand seminary which
nature had spread out there before
her. Those needle points that rose
above the eternal Alpine SHOWS, soar
ing toward the blIe heavens, led her
thoughts far onward and upward.
Those cold glaciers that lay as n bed
OF death between the sterile noun
tains; those dread fall. OF rocks, that
seemed cascades OF destruction from
the skies upon the blooming wales
below = those yawning precipices,
with their dark and fearful depths
all stirred her imagination and un-
folded her nature


On the evening OF our story the
man had paid visit to the cottage
in the valley. and had then strolled
forth through the forest with Marie,
this Alpine flower.


1t Is not our business to pry into
lovers secrets, nor attempt to tell the
subjects OF their conversation. What
ever it was. 1t may be granted that
mathematics and logic formed no part
OF the conference. This much may
be said, however; il was there and
then agreed that on a certain day,
not far removed, the worthy cure OF
the village should be asked TO give
his blessing on their union.


Henri had resolved to go home by
a short route, over the neighboring
mountain, though he would have to
cross a glacier on the way. This
rather hazardous journey appeared
no great difficulty In the eyes OF the
bold peasant OF tho Alps, and the
moon would give him light across the
icy passage.


But lovers In all ages have failed
to notice the march OF time. Our
young friends had so much to say, or
what they had to say was so interest
ing-for repetitions OF the story were
not uIdensome-that the evening
twilight had long melted into the soft
moonlight before the dreaded word
farewell was thought OF. When. how
ever, Marie caught sight Of the new
moon rapidly sinking to rest, she
urged the prompt departure Of her
lover. Yet even then he had some
thing else to say, and she was so
smilingly attentive that c further de-
lay took place.


But the quick approach OF darkness
awakened the fears OF the maiden,
who urged upon Henri the necessity
OF returning by the regular road.
longer as 1t was. instead Of tempting
the dangers of the glacier. The young
man, full OF the excitement OF happy
love, laughed at her warning, and
assured that she was no fit wife for a
mountaineer il she doubted his power
to thread his way in darkness. He
comforted her with the promise OF
his haste to reach the glacier. and his
extreme care while passing.


BE not afraid" said he; II know
every block Of ice in the path. and my
good alpenstock would steady my
steps in the blackness of midnight"


But loving confidence half swept
away her fears, and the parting kiss
/ carried off the remainder She