The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-04-22

and by the time he reached tne tun, ~
would be pitch dark; and he, all unaware
Of the condition of the bridge.
She shuddered, and started forward to-
ward the trembling timbers that spanned
the angry mass of foam, cleaning up 30
gbost-like through the fast gathering gloom.
She must manage to cross the stream, or all
was lost She forgot everything but the ur-
gent necessity she felt of warning Mr.. Ash
croft of saving him from destruction.
She stood still a moment on the edge of
one of the black, slippery timbers, and
looked down into the cauldron beneath
Her head swam-she felt faint and dizzy
BY stfong effort, she forced herself to look
up; there was safety only in ignoring dan
ger. A single misstep would plunge her
into eternity-no living thing could exist
in that mad whirlpool below.
She stepped out boldly-the timber trem-
bled beneath her weight, her feet seemed
almost sliding from the slanting edge. She
felt an irresistible impulse to look down,
but she did not yield she fixed her eyes
resolutely on the opposite shore, and went
steadily on. ... sp
She was safe. She sank down on a wet
stone, oppressed with gratitude that she had
been permitted to achieve success She must
wait for Mr.. Ashcroft. How very long the
time seemed, and yet it was not more than
half an hour before she heard the sharp
clink of his horse's hoofs on the rocks be-
low. 1t was thick darkness now-one
could hardly see yard before him. She
stepped into the middle of the path, her
pale face shining ghostly white through the
mist. Ashcroft was coming at full gal
lop-he had nearly ridden her down, but
his horse halted suddenly, and then he saw
her. ~" :,
"How what have we here ?" he called
out.
at is !, Mr.. Ashcroft. The covering is
gone from the bridge. You cannot cross
tonight"
He was off his horse in moment, and
standing close by her side.
"You, Argeline VernonP'
eyes"
"And why did you come to tell meP"
"Why, indeed his question recalled her
to herself She held by the trunk of tree
for support She was overcome with shame.
Had she indeed unsealed herself to this
man, of all others Pride helped her,
though.
al saw the condition of the BRIDGE
knew that you were expected to return by
this road after dark, and l would make a
great sacrifice to save human life."
elbow did you get across "
"The stringers are left. crossed on one
of them"
He caught her convulsively to him.
"Argeline Good heaven and you rar
all that fearful danger for my sakeP"
She tried to get free, but he would not
release her.
"Be quiet. / have borne your coldnes'
and scorn patiently Let me know what
your love would be have loved you al
ways-ever since that first day. Whatwil
you say to meT'
"I-I-thought it was Edith"
edith is but child She looks upol
me as a father. 1t is you-only you-tha
want, Argeline."
"But schoolmistresses are snuffy, ant
wear corkscrew ringlets, and are Away
Just twenty-five"
"Hal So now have the clue Arge
line, was an insolent coxcomb. Forgiv
me- Remember had not seen you, then.
She forgave him, she said, softly--sh
had been foolishly sensitive about it--an
further confession he stopped with hi
kisses.
Mr.. Ashcroft took his horse back to th
nearest farmhouse, and arousing the mer
he left Argeline there, and they returned t
the bridge, where they built large fire t
warn others who might be travelling tina
way, of danger.
John Dracut came down to the run
search for Argeline, was informed OF he
safety, and went home with the glad tiding
They had been very anxious at the farm
house.
The next day, the bridge was repaired
Mr.. Ashcroft and Argeline walked hon
together, the horse following, meek an
docile, behind. Four weeks afterward
Ashcroft Hall had mistress. The scho
was given into other hands, and Argelir
took upon herself the duties Of Euger
Ashcroft's wife. Duties Of love, always.
When Edith was seventeen, she refuse
the hand of the young widower, Phil
Desmond, who had just returned from Il
rope, and was smitten with the charms