Year: 1876

the vigorous powers OF mountain


maiden were needed indeed. There


were times when the space permitte d


her TO carry him in her arms; but


more often she could but draw him


after her through the low tunnel. The


same difficulties which she before


encountered were now to be met un-


der more embarrassing circumstan- :


ces. The only advantage was the de-


scent instead OF the ascent. All we nj


on we'll for a time, though the prog


ress was exceedingly slow, and the
strength OF both parties was rapidly
ebbing forth. At length aloud crack
ing noise was heard, and Immediate
ly afterward, huge mass OF ice fell
forward near them, completely block
ing up their path. The water, for
time stayed in its course, threatening
their destruction, but it eventually
formed for itself new opening.


In vain did the courageous girl
deal blow after blow upon the bar
rier. No entrance could be gained.
They were imprisoned, indeed, in a
death-chamber. They resigned them
selves to their end. They embraced
In silence, and calmly waited their
fate. They had at least the comfort
OF dying with each other


But. with sud len thought, Marie
sprang up again. Al devolved upon
her, she would make another effort.
She resolved to try her axe on the
side walls or their cell. A few strokes
revealed an opening The axe was
again and ayaiu hurled forward, un-
ill a hole was made sufficient for
the entrance. Then, with look
OF gratitude to heaven, she once
more raised her dropping lover,
now rapidly sinking into the tor
por OF approaching dissolution.


1t was not long before the dear girl
found her lover senseless in her
grasp. Vainly she called him, and
ertreated another word or glance.
His eyes were closed, his body utter
ly powerless, and no sign OF life re-
manned except feeble pulsation at
the heart.


For moment, and but for mo-
ment, the intrepid maiden yielded to
despair, and sank beside the corpse
like form. With "a prayer upon her
lips, she feebly essayed once more to
resume her frightful journey. But
the cold and fatigue now began to op-
press her so strongly that her senses
reeled, and her aim was insufficient
to raise her lover. She collected her
rambling thoughts, and, believing
that she could not be far from the
valley, she uttered cry OF distress.


Providentially, it was just at this
time that the peasants, uneasy at
her not returning to the room, and
guessing her heroic resolution, went !
hurriedly to the cavernous mouth OF
the glacier. The cry was heard and !
answered. Shamed by the courage
OF the girl, two or three rushed for
ward up tbs ice-chamber.


They were but just in time. The
brave Marie had sunk down into that |
dangerous lethargy, the forerunner OF
death. Both were carried off safely |
from the glacier, brought to the cot
tage, and restored to animation.


Surgical aid was promptly procur-
ed for Henri's fracture. His vigorous
constitution room rallied under care
full treatment. AS for Marie, her |
over-excited feelings occasioned a
long and dangerous illness.


The heroism OF this maiden or the |
Alps was not likely to diminish the
attachment OF tho man she hal saw
ed. As soon "a both were rec )yered,
the acclamation or the valley called
for their union to be made public |
ceremony. and the day holiday for
the villagers. The cure offered up
Thanksgiving for their deliverance,
joined them in happy wedlock, and !
gave them fearful blessing.


And as long as love is known In |
the Alpine valleys will the tale be |
tald OF Marie, the heroine OF fidelity,
aud oi tho well-tried Love In Gla-
cier.