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chance, or I'll I'll really quit Yes. Marion, I mean just that. Isn't there any chance at all?" "I don't know, Tommy," said Ma rion candidly. "You see," she went on, "I like you well, awfully. But somehow you're always the same. There isn't any romance about you. Couldn't you do something desper ate for my sake, Tommy?'' She had fallen back into her ban tering mood. She looked Up at him teasingly. "I'll do anything if you'll give me a dog's chance," said Tommy im pulsively. "Then get me an edelweiss from the top of Grundelwald," said Ma rion. The rare Swiss edelweiss grows only in a few almost inaccessible places. Of these the treacherous top of Grundelwald is one. The moun tain is never ascended except with an experienced guide. The accent seems easy, but the crevasses are al most hidden from sight under the heavy snowfalls. A false step and one falls clear of the needlellke sum mit sheer down to the fangs of the rocks below. Neither Marion who had almost forgotten her jesting words nor Tommy knew that Tommy had found the edelweiss early in the afternoon. He had had fool's luck to guide him and he had been within a few inches of death without the least suspicion of that fact Marion did not even know that he had gone. She was. engaged in a flirtation with Count Skopianu on the hotel balcony when the talk turn ed to Tommy. "I like him, that young American," said the count "But why does he scowl at me as if I were his bitterest enemy?" "I guess he's a little jealous," said Marion. "He loves you, then? He knew you, perhaps, in America?" "Yes, Tommy's a dear boy," said Marion, penitently. "J. believe he's going up to Grundelwald to get me an edelweiss as a proof of his devo- tion." The count stared at her. "That is not the young man who ascended Grundelwald this morning and re fused a guide?" he asked. "I don't know; it would be just like him," said Marion, shrugging herf shoulders. The count got up abruptly and left, her. Marion, looking after him in astonishment and indignation, pres-' ently 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 10 at night, under a brilliant moon, that the three re turned. Tommy, in a state of ex haustion and frostbite, was wrapped in blankets and put to bed. All the hotel was talking about his fool hardy exploit But in one hand he clutched the edelweiss. The count, at his bedside, opened his heart in indignation. "It is monstrous, Mr. Griswold," he exclaimed indignantly. "Had I known why, I should have told you the dangers. 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 deceision from the court that after noon, on his return, looked at Tom my for a few moments. "Poor fool!" he 'thought Then he shrugged his shoulders and left him. Perhaps he had never cared for Marion. At any rate, he passed out of her life in that moment Tommy lay silent until Marion came in. Then he looked up to see her standing beside his bed. "Tommy," she whispered, kneel ing down, "I didn't know. I didn't know the dangers. I was wicked MMMMMaMMMMMflMniMi