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tiediperpetually toian old fogy
'like fne:"
"That, was their justification, as
they told one another after they
had discovered that they loved.
But the discovery was not: made
in Jts entirety until the day of the
journey up fheNGol. '
There was ' an un catalogued
specimen which Was believed to
have its habitat on the topmosti
level of the peak. It had been ar
ranged that the two men and An
derson should ascend,,to thejqut,
three part of the way to the sum
mit, and, while Trench and the
girl rested -there, Anderson?
should make the remainder of the
ascent alone. All three were ex
pert climbers, but the professor
would not let his wife risk the
final dangerous, stages.
"No, no, my dear' he said
kindly. "You -two young folks
shall "stay in the hut an hour or
two ' while" Vso toxthe summit..
, You'll be good company for each'
others - x
So he left them there and went
away, and lol half way up the as
cent he found what he was seek
ing, hidden in "a tiny nook in the
side of the Col. He hurried; back
, with it triumphantly, eager to
display :his trophy.
''-There was a little window in
. the hut,, and, the professor,' child-?
like; as "lie was' in many particu-
. lars, halted outside and peered in.;
If was. his "intention to -fling "his;
nosegay at Jiis wife!s feet. What
he -saw, however, arrested his at
tention. Trench, was. - kneeling
before Mrs. Anderson, who was
iseafed in the.Httle, .wooden chair.;
His head was raised andfhenf
bent, and. Jher tears fell oji his
face.
"I love' youLucyj he said.
"So I shall go away and never
see you again. I am not ashamed
of my love for you, though I tried
to hideit. But Tiefore I go tell
me that you will always love me.
"I shall always love you'
Professor Anderson heard his
wife answer. Then, with an im
pulse that could riot be resisted,
she flung her arms around his
neck! "Why Vas 1' married?"
she cried. '"-Why'dieUI riot think
that some day a real love would
come into myiife? " He his been
kind to me, but I have'never loved
him-TT-never," she ,;end"dJ Then
she bent tower and' their, lips met.
The professor -sidledjaway.
Half an hour- later he came
noisily around to thej entrance, to
find his. wife-andTrench, seated
apart, ' talking; swih reckless
gaiety. .The professor, showed
them his specimens and seemed
in a boisterous good humon They
congratulated him mirthlessly.
Then, at his suggestion, they
roped themselves. together for the
descent.
The descent of the CoFis Harder
than the climb. One false step in
Jhe icy 'slopes and. the lives of all
are endangered. The professor
went first, Trench following him,
and Mrs. Anderson bringing up
the rear. Cautiously they pro
ceeded until they reached the de
clivity where "-the Col falls in a
sheer precipice to the hotel, a
thousand .feet below. Then
.Trench (felt the rcpe tiehieaand
