The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1870-02-10

nearer, ho saw the form Of mau hall
thrown from the saddle, yet clnging
tj the almost flying stcel.
20 heavens. the bridgc-thc bridge"
aud MabePs voice rang oot in wild
dcspar,ug cry. One glance aud Clar
cucc saw the cause of Mays alarm 4;
the bridge was gone, washed away by
tho angry waters, and in it's place u
yawning abyss far too wide for horse
to leap, aHd toward this the frightened
stecd was coming u, lrightful leaps.
On, on, came the horse, pau,ing with
terro! and cXetii,n, till it stood upon
The very brink of the chasrn, and then
with II moments hesitation, the leap
was taken. As the horse hcsitatcd ON
the bank, the rider strOye to discngagc
himself from his doomed stccd but it
was to- late, and with wild cry b.
was hurled into the abyss.
Niue with suspense, the two riders
sat stricken dumb with terror until
the instant that the frightened stccd
hcsitatcd upon the brink OF the abyss,
and then as both recognized he DOOM
cd rider Mabel shrickcd:
20 Ernest, Ernest y
One look at the mtilen's ngonizcd
flcG, and Clarence had read her secret,
an evil, siuslcr glow lit up his
,JuntoDance.
80 Ciarrrcc, save him, save him u
aud the maiden laid her hand upon
his arm, and lJokej pleadingly up iuto
his face
With one spring, Clireucc had reach.
ed the edge Of the chasm, and gazcd
anXlOu.ly down into the roaring wa
ters, an then he saw the half suhmcre-
cd body of Ernest llaIs;cad desperate.
ly c'inging 10 u part OF tn bridge that
remained in the midst Ut the angry
waters.
lis wickeli heart gave triumphant
bound as he thus recognized the deadly
pcril Of his rival, and turning to May
whr stood mute with terror by the
side OF her passive stced, lie hJarsly
whispered
"AlaLol, | will save him on ons con-
ti'ion, aud tina, is
"Whlt, what? q Clarence speak
quickly 70
"Promiso to b. my wife,
IL cGnuot! cannot DO not tor
ture the thus. Save him, | command
you -
Promise, and | will"
II cannot."
"Thcn he shall die /" aud be turned
ticrccly away.
80 Clarence, do not leave him =
Save him, save him promise any
thing, Unl y save h.m -
Triumphant now, Clarence caught
the brIGlo from lis horse, and with one
look ut May, advanced until he stood
upon the brink ol the chasm, and then,
leaning far over, he flung the rein,
down to the drowning man Eagerly
he graspui them, and cluug with ali
his fast decliuing strength 10 the time
Iy succlr,
"l'emcmber your promise" cried
Clarence rs he turned for an instant
toward the maiden, AMI then again
bent to his task. But suddenly, with
a wild cry, he cast the bride tar from
him aud sprang backward; but il was
too late, the bank on which lac stood,
alrcady loosened from it, base By the
ioaming torrent, slid forward into the
seelhirg waters, burying beneath il
thc body Of Clarence Lamont.
Another shrek came from the maid.
ems lips but she did not faint. Nervel
by fear, she sprlng forward and gazcd
eagerly down into the chasm. and
there she Jaw her lover maDfuliy
struggling with the waves, but still
cliuging TO the bride.
When UareHce tossed the Birdie
from him, it caught upon low bush
that grew upon the bank, and toward
this the maiden turned With low cry
Of joy. GraspIng it she oxerted her
strength to aid her lover, and not in
vain, Tor soon the strain ceased, and in
another instant Ernest Halstead had
clambered to the solid earth and stood
upon the bank before her.
Saved. saved. !" she murmured and
then all her strength deserted her, aud
she sank to the earth,
Pale aud weak with his exertions,
her lover lent over her aud gently
raised her PROSTATE form to his bosom.
Then us she slowly opened her eyes,
he whispered
Darling May, toy owe my life
Look up, Dearest
A sweet snile was his answer, aud
bending his head, he pressed a kiss
upon her pale cheek.
clarence, May, where are you ?"
cried the voice Of Louise at this mo.
meut and in another instant the two
girls rode up.
why, May, what is the matter p
Where is brother?" was the startled
inquiry Of Louise as, with sudden
alarm, she spraoy from her horse and
hurried forward.
Soon the story was told, and with
pale, grief stained faces, the little par.
ty proceeded homeward.
1t was late in the day ere the body
of Clarence Lamont was recovered
aud when he was laid in the tomb none
wept more deeply than bis gentle cous-
in.
Three months after there was quiet
wedding at tho Halstead mansion, and