The driver, reeling as he ran, sprang for the empty 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 boulders and uprooted forests crashed in final doom upon that devoted village, burying it from sight as though it had never been.
To safety?
Yes, for two of them; the other, struck by a flying stone, fell in the road and was covered in a trice.

So close were they to destruction's edge at this moment of headlong flight.
* * * * * Not till the painted towers encircling Lucerne had come again into sight did the newly wedded pair find words or make the least attempt to speak.
Then Carleton kissed his bride and for a moment love was triumphant.

Was it triumphant enough to lead him to acknowledge their marriage?
She looked anxiously in his face to see and finally she asked: "How much of this are we to tell, Carleton ?" "All about the catastrophe; but nothing more," he answered.
And while her heart retained its homage, the light in her eyes was veiled.
Married but not acknowledged! Would it not have been better if the avalanche had overwhelmed them?
She almost thought so, till bending, he murmured in her ear: "I shall follow you soon.

Did you think I could go on living without you ?" * * * * * "Why so thoughtful, Ermentrude?
You are not quite yourself to-day ?" "Uncle is very ill.

The doctors say that he may not live a month." "And does that grieve you ?" A yes was on her lips, but she did not utter it.