Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-07-10
tConclnded from drst page.

spirea made pretty snow-drft, altering
her old brown silk into new fashioneo
polonaise. Huldah was n fresh ana YOUTH
full COPY of her mother; at the age oil the
deacon's widow she would have the same
amable pouter-pigeon expression
.She won't come down to tea, said the
good woman, with triangle of perpcNi-
ty in the middle of her forehead, land
she's crying her eyes out, and trying to
starve herself, l expect. Isn't it enough
to have things 60 out OF the house with
out hands or feet? I've been a house
keeper going on thirty years, and never
felt called upon to keep a stitch OF any
thing under lock and key. But it will
teach me a lesson, and | shall think twice
another time before take stranger into
my family"
Mother" said Huldah. looking up, ''it
might not be the end, if Rachel went away.
Do YOU know, think Edwin has taken q
great fancy.
well. what if he has ?n cooed Mrs.
Huntly, with charming inconsistency. 81
could fall in love with the little thing my
self if it wasn't for this. Edwin isn't a
fool; he has got your fathers good hard
sense"
Edwin was riding home along the creek
road after midnight, and the moon was
shining down full and large. 1t was
bright as day Dew lay on the still flow
ers, and whiffs of fragrance and freshness
came from the grassy fields. Edwin was
thinking of Rachel, SO that she seemed
everywhere present to him in the calm,
still beauty OF the scene.
A turn of the highway brought him
within sight of the new railroad and the
dizzy, dangerous spot where a half-tin-
ished bridge spanned the gorge. The
place was Jagged with rocks, deep and
wild, and in the night looked like black
chasm opening down to the centre of the
earth, with the swirling and rushing OF
hidden waters. The slender supports OF
timbers were like mere threads stretching
out over the gully.
Edwin had lust recalled Moses COTS
ridiculous ghost story, when the happy
low whistle died on his lips, and he refined
in his horse with sudden jerk.
Was he awake or dreaming? There
was something on the bridge, something
white moving toward his side of the gully ;
woman clad in light garments,
with long hair streaming over her Shout
ders. She looked, thus treading the air,
Ike al anger Vi ilSHt lioatihS o'oi tHo
abyss of doom.
Edwin flung himself from his horse-he
never knew how-and crept into some
bushes by the bridge-head. The thing,
spirit. earthly creature, whatever it was,
came right on, with that wonderful airy
motion, over the dangerous timbers. An
error of half an inch to right or left, and
death would have been swift and sure.
But the light garment just waved in and
out about the small feet, and the moon
light shone full upon face pale and rigid
as marble. The eyes were wide open.
but sightless. A small bundle was pressed
against her bosom.
Edwin saw the face distinctly 1t was
Rachel A vertigo must have seized him
there. crouched among the bushes, but
it gave way instantly to an immense sense
of gratitude and relief. She had glded
across the road, and through an opening
in the wall between some trees. Edwin
stole stealthily after her. On and on she
went, with the motion of a spirit, over the
damp meadow-grass, until she came to
the edge of an abandon gravel-pt. Down
the side of this place she clambered nim-
bly,, and laying her bundle in the bottom
of the pit, began to heap over it earth and
loose stones in the form OF a little grave.
By peering over the edge Edwin could
see other small mounds Of the same kind.
She mounted the bank swiftly when her
task was done, and though Edwin dreaded
to touch her with that unearthly look up
on her face, he put himself in the path
just where she must pass, and drew his
arm gently around her waist. Rachel
trembed to find her motion arrested, then
gave long sigh. with the light of con-
seriousness coming into her lifeless eyes.
"Oh, where am ?" she moaued.
"You are here with me, my darling,
safe and well thank Cod" and in the &C.
stacy of his joy and gratitude he pressed
kisses on her lips aud cheeks and indemni-
fed himself for all he had longed for and
missed.
Rachel drew herself away. blushing and
trembling, and still bewildered
"What has happened ?" she asked. in Il
distressed voice. 'Why am alone out
of-doors here in the night with you?'
lit was by Gods good providence |
found you,' said Edwin much moved.
You have been walking in your sleep,
Rachel, and night after night have come
over that fearful bridge. | cannot help
turning sick with horror when | think Of
the risk you ran. You came to this place
to bury your clothes there in the gravel
pit"
'.Oh, know it all now.' cried Rachel
clasping her head in her hands. at was
the dream. You know, | told you of my
dear little brother who died | thought
was doomed TO carry his dead
body in my arms until found burial,
place: that must not mind difficulties or
dangers, but go on Il weary way, all
through the world if need be-"
''And there are your graves down in
in the pit; and there, my darling, you shall
bury every sorrow Oh, Rachel, tell me
that you love me; promise that you will
be my wife,
Rachel averted her face for u moment,
and then, with quick, child-like gesture
OF infinite grace aud tenderness, put her
arms about his neck and gave him her
mute wallpapers Bazar.