Page:Maud Howe - A Newport Aquarelle.djvu/132

 great power. Death, whom she had thought about so lightly, had now come to claim her grimly. She looked up into the blue sky, which was so fair, and out over the beauty of the lonely gorge. She felt, as she had never done before, the beauty about her on every side. She saw the possibilities of happiness and usefulness which she had so utterly neglected. She knew that life was a blessing, and in the cry which startled the still air there was remorse for her thanklessness as well as agony for her danger.

The rock thrilled once more beneath her, and as it trembled 'twixt the ledge and the precipice, Gladys lifted a prayer for her life to the God whose existence she had some time denied.

A strong hand clasped her fingers, she felt her waist firmly seized, and in an instant she knew that she was safe, though the great rock had fallen from its bed with a mighty crash, and the white foam was dashed upon her cheek and brow. She was carried a few