Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-08-13
WHOLE NO. 1922

eu ike placK clllsll opening aoNn
to the centre of the earth, with the
whirling and rushing of hidden waters.
The slender supports of the timbers
were like mere threads stretching out
over the gully,
Edwin had just recalled Moses COTS
ridiculous ghost story, when the hap
py love whistle died on his lips, and
he reined in his horse with sudden
jerk.
Was he awake or dreaming ? There
was something on the bridge, some
thing white moving towards his side
of the gully a woman clad in white
colored garments, with long hair
streaming over her shoulders. She
looked, thus threading the air, like an
angel of light floating over the 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, what
ever it was, came right on, with that
wonderful airy motion, over the dang
.erous timbers.. An error of half an
inch to right Or to the left, and death
would have been swift and sure. But
the light garment just waved in and
out about the small feet, and the
moonlight shone full upon a 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 away instantly to
an immense sense of gratitude and
relief. She had glided across the
road and through an opening in the
wall between some trees. Edwin stole
stealthily after. On and on she went,
with the motion of a spirit, over the
damp meadow grass, until she came
to the edge of an abandoned gravel
pit Down the side of this place she
clambered nimbly, and laying her
bundle in the bottom of the pit, be-
gan to heap over it earth and loose
stones i'll The form of little grave
BY peering down over the edge Ed
win 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 upon her
face he put himself in the path just
: where she must pass, and drew his
arms gently around her waist. Rach-
ell trembled to find her motion arrest
ed, then gave long sigh, with the
light of consciousness coming into her
lifeless eyes.
'Oh, where am I Z? she moaned.
you are with me, my darling, safe
and well, thank God! and in the
ecstasy of his joy and gratitude he
pressed kisses on her lips and cheeks,
and indemnifed himself for all he had
longed for and missed
Rachel drew herself away, blushing
= and trembling, and still bewildered
what has happened 2 she asked in
a distressed voice why am l alone
out-ofdoors here in the night with
you?
f 1T was by Gods providence I found
you,' said Edwin, much moved. You
have been walking in your sleep,
, Rachel, and night after night have
come over that fearful bridge. l can
: not help turning sick with horror
when I think of the risk you ram
You came to this place to bury your
clothes there in the gravel pit
'Oh, I know it all now! cried Rach-
el, clasping her hands. 1T was the
dream. You know, l told you of my
dear little brother who died. l
thought I was doomed to carry his
| dead body in my arms until | found a
, burial place that l must not mind
difficulties Or dangers, but go on a
weary way, on through the world if
need be-
'And there are your graves down in
: the pit and there, my darling, you
r shall bury every sorrow. Oh, Rachel,
tell me that you love me promise
Q that you will be my wife
Rachel averted her face for mo-
t ment, and then, with quick child
Q like gesture of infinite grace and tend
e erness, put her arms about his neck
and gave him her mute reply.
t - A boy was seen in the streets OF