Humberside Collegiate Institute - Hermes Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

Page 13 text:

QTIQIQEQ.. QIQ3Q1IQIQ 31IQI9 H. W. Morden Limited Electric Fixtures of Distinction Visit Qur Showrooms You'll be Well repaid Phone LY. 5880 2515 Bloor St. West Toronto CQIQE..3 33IQl'Q QffQQ D J 5

Page 12 text:

THE ri gram Eff' N A Fa!! Qf Forfzme Oh, Helen, isn't it simply glorious? The speaker was Sylvia Leighton, a slim girl of sixteen who was standing with her cousin, Helen Browne, at a window which over- looked one of the beautiful valleys found among the foothills of the Rockies. lsn't what glorious ?', asked Helen, with a smile. The mountains, the valley, every- thing, of course! The very fact that you have invited me to spend a month of my vacation herell' Well,, as you know, father had been reading of a hidden vein of gold somewhere in this locality and he at once decided to do a little prospecting by himself. What is the name of this district ? asked Sylvia. It is known as the 'Valley of Hope,' because gold had been found in the river-bed years ago. The story runs that a Frenchman came here and searched for this treasure but he was unsuccessful and finally in despair he threw himself off that rock. And Helen pointed to a large overhanging spur jutting out of the distant moun- tainside beneath which roared a turbulent torrent, frothing and leaping on its downward course. Sylvia shuddered. ls that true? she asked. I don't know for certain, replied her cousin. That is the story always told to visitors. But you look tired, Sylvia, I will show you to your room. The next morning in the grey uncer- tain light that precedes dawn, Sylvia awoke. She slipped quietly out of bed and dressed, then leaving the cottage where the other occupants still slept, made her way along a narrow mountain trail. At length she struck off from the regular route and came to a spot where she could command an expansive view of the surrounding countryside. A soft curtain of mist still hung over the valley, but across the rolling ground, which grew level as it stretched towards the eastward, day was beginning to break. A faint streak of colour appeared on the horizon. Gradually it deepened, and the dark blue sky grew flushed with rosy light. The fiery sun began its way across the clearing heavens, stretching out magic fingers which crusted jagged cliff and frowning precipice with gold, and caused the gossamer-like mists to flee into the distance. Steadily the sun climbed higher until all the little mountain Howers became visible as they nodded in the breeze. 'f0h, how magnificent! murmured Sylvia with eyes aglow, and then realizing that her cousin would be searching for her, she reluctantly returned to the cottage. The golden hours flew by all too swiftly, each day bringing forth some new delight. The girls sometimes fished in the stream which flowed through the valley, sometimes they packed a lunch and followed a new path along the mountain, and some- times they accompanied Mr. Browne in his quest for gold, although as yet his efforts had been unsuccessful. Un the day before their departure, a last trip had been arranged to visit a prospector's camp situated in the mountains some miles from the cottage. They started along the narrow trail , 103

Page 14 text:

T H E ri E Va M gf which twisted and wound its way over steep ascents and along the edge of dangerous precipices until at length they reached their destination. After enjoying a good lunch they spent a few pleasant hours in photographing the wild but beautiful scenery in that vicinity and then commenced their return to the valley. As their way led quite close to the enormous boulder from which the Frenchman had plunged to his death. they decided to stop for a few minutes to view the much-talked-of spot. I shouldn't like to fall down there,', remarked Helen, as they peered over the edge of the huge rock. Far below the rushing torrent cleft its way around the solid base of the mountain, and cruel teeth-like rocks protruded on all sides. Helen shivered and drew back. 'fCome away, she urged. Suddenly, without warning, the ground on which they stood began to move, and with a low, ominous rumble, the huge spur commenced to slide into the ravine below. Fortunately, Helen was able to spring to safety, but Sylvia, with a shriek of horror. realizing her terrible position. fell to the ground unconscious. By some strange caprice of fate. the ,descending boulder was impeded in its downward course and caught on a projecting ledge many feet below. On coming to her senses Sylvia looked around in bewildernient, then she glanced upwards as she heard her cousin's voice telling her to lie perfectly still until aid could be brought. After Helen had dis- appeared Sylvia collected her scattered thoughts and mentally reviewed her unfortunate predicament. As she dared not move closer to the edge of the rock or in any way attempt to discover exactly where she was, the hours seemed to creep slowly on, until the lengthening shadows indicated the approach of evening. 'lust when she was about to despair of ever being rescued, she heard Helen's welcome shout, and in a short time she saw her uncle lowering him- self over the face of the bluff. Then, with the aid of ropes, Sylvia was drawn back to safety and her friends. Mr. llrowne soon followed and as he came towards them. they were sur- prised at his delighted expression. Lookl he cried, pointing to the side of the cliff, my quest has ended. There is the hidden vein of ffoldf' 25 Sure enough, by a strange irony of fate, right beneath the spot from which the Frenchman had taken his fatal leap, there glittered the precious metal, exposed to view by the fortu- nate fall of the rock. -zllary Delzbeiglz, I-.-1. 104