The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1870-02-10
Al TIE BRIDGE.
BY EAlRrAX FERGUSON.

They are late, May, are they no,
What can have deta.cl them ~
81 am sure | cannot tell. iancicd
| heard the ring Of horses hools a
moment since. llark hear i, plain.
or now
The speaker stood on the vcrlniall
Of large mansio, in one otthe South.
crn States. The first, Louise Lamont,
was a tall, handsome brunette, with
daik langui,biug eyes and rave trrsscs.
Her cousin Mabel was the haudSomcr
Of the two. Perfect symmetry of form
combined with regular, delicate f,a-
tures !; her golden hair falling iu ring
lets over her iaulless shoulders, she
presented u picture OF loneliness rarely
met with.
Both the girls were in riding habits,
and iu one neatly glovcd hand Louise
held riding whip, with which -he i'm
patiently tapped the toe of the dainty
slipper that pceped out from beneath
her skirt.
At one side, ucgligcntly leaning
aaan.r pillar, his da.A eyes iiAuI up
uu Mays fair face, was the figure oi /,
young man, apparently about twenty
year, Of age. Ia features, Clarence
Lamont rcsenibled his sister Louise
bat while one face was u type OF pure
Nomanly beauty, there was hardness
,bout the mouth of the other that told
OF Il far different nature.
"sh! here they come Ut last clicd
Louise. But any is alone, what can
have detained Erncst!'
As she spoke, a young lady mounted
upon u pretty little pony rode at II rap.
ID pace TO tho piazz,, aud before Clar-
encc could roa.h her side, she had
.pruug from her saddle and Affection
ltcly greeted her two friends US they
ran down tho steps.
ERNEST was unexpectedly Obliged
TO 20 TO N--lhis morning. she said
ia reply TO Mays eager inquiry; but
will meet us TT the bridge h"
"Come, then, brother, let US mount
and away" cried Louise, gaily.
John is bringing the horsos,' was
the reply. "Come. May he added,
as Mays pony was brought up.
Soon all were mounted, aud then
Mary aud Clarence and al rode off
Cousin Mary, let US ride on aud
reach the bridge first. Louise and
Miss Halstead are deep 10 some con-
ideutial conference and will scarcely
miss rs"
Mabel acccded and soon Louise and
her friend were left behind. A turn
in the road soon hid them from their
sight, and Stacking their horses speed =,
Clarence said:
"Mabel, have something to say to
you; something that will influence my
whole future life Can you not guess
what it is 2 "
A look of surprise came over the
fair listeners face, and she said:
"lndeed, Clareuce, can think of
nothing you could say to me Of such
great Importance"
1T is this, aud his face flushed, and
his voice was low with emotion. Il
love you, May ! have loved you deop.
ly, passionaiely, since first saw you,
win you be my wife 7"
20 Clarence, cannot | am 50 sor.
ry." Aud the maiden covered her
face with her hands.
20 May give me some hope do not
cast me of withoat u hope Of winning
your lovel' hc pleaded.
Clarence, | eaunot! have no
right"
A strange look camo into Clarence
Lamont's eyes, but in n moment ii was
gone and he said
20 May, why do you thus repulse
my lovey Why can you not bid me
hope"
Never can be aught to you but II
friend, Clarence, aud fread | will
always be-"
Again that strange look came over
his face and an evil light shoae ia his
eyes, as Lc Kissed between his sci
teeth:
"Girl, you huvc triaed with me-
You have won the hoarl Of true man,
and now you throw it from you. Be-
ware !"
mo, Clarence, ! have not triacd
with YOU" the ulaiden's voice was
l.. a la l. :. 4