Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-05-04

love thee. "No." she added. 81 thank
thee. hut il cannot be as thee would have
it,"
So her first lover mounted his horse and
rode away discomtited.
She did not see him rs he rode. TOR all
the way seemed ilumined by the figure oil
a tall young man, whose golden beard
was blown by the wind. And Mirabeih
thought: "Can he ever love me?"
The two weeks were accomplished.
and fifty times had come the question.
"Mirabeth. has thee seen the bridge p
o., she had been tol /. "The bridge is
done. the cars will be running in the
spring"
But she had kept her promise TO Philip;
and had been scoldcd and ridiculed be.
cause she would not go with the others
10 look at the wonderful thing.
When the moon was full she sat all
alone behind the hop vines. watching
the silver light and the quivering
shadows upon the floor. and voice that
might have come from the moon. for the
silence that reigncd before. spoke sud-
denly
Miss Mirabeih.n
She threw white shawl over her
head, and went down stairs. 10 Philip
Harper. She gave him both her hands.
and did not dare 10 speak. so glad was
she to see him.
Here am" he said. "Nill thee go
and see my BRIDGE"
That netlled her. Did he care for
nothing else2 Was he not glad at see'
ing her again? lie pnt his hand on her
arm and walked of down The road.
i've been home 10 Newton. he said.
"Did thee see thy moiher?" she asked
because she had nothing else to say.
Eyes. they were all well and happy at
hcme. Miss Mirabeth. you thought il
strange making you promise not TO go to
the old cliff ill came again; but the
truth Is. this bridge is something OF
triumph FOR me. AMI / Il wanted to
show il you myself. Mirabeth."
Her heart gave jump.
Il want to get little word OF praise
from you." he went on. | want to
hear hat you say when you see it. Bat
p.haw yon can't care for my poor little
bridge, though ii is so much to me-"
IL do care" she said softly, under her
breath
Heres the bridge. Mirabelh, speak
quick :"
lie was very much excited as he wait
ed for her verdict.
Over The crazy water, splashing some.
times n shadow. now brilliant in The
moonlight. was thrown single span.
There was nothing heavy or superanous
about the bridge. Light and graceful. 1t
seemed really hung between the two
steep shores. and lAs winds almost
swayed It as they passed. Oaly liItY feet
to the other side. and yet the fellow
Harper was the first to make the two
esious one; aud he had joined them
with as beautiful piece OF mechanism as
man could accomplish.
MiraOelh stood silent before the young
man for moment. then she looked up
at him and spoke:- "Oh. Philip, it is
so beautiful, thy bridge" lie caught
both her hands.
"Alirabeth, my daring! :"
Philip
That was all. lie took her in his arms
and held her close. lie knew now what
he seemed only to have dimly guessed
before-,hat it was more than her appro'
baton of his work that he wanted, and
he had seen more than this as she looked
at him.
He turned her head back aud gazed
down into her eyes. The unshed tears
auiyered on he lashes. She did not move
or speak. but rested quie, in his arms.
All around them fell the solemn splcndor
of the night; they two alone with the
periec,ness OF Joy that had come to them
Il seemed now that they had Lis ed for
this moment; that this was to be the end
of all things.
So the bridge brought them together
They were happy Tor two months longer.
then Philip bade his love farewell till
the spring he said.
Mirabeth's life went on as quietly as
before, save for the letters that came TO
her, and the proad consciousness OF his
love. Through the long winter she
waited happy for the spring.
"Why my daughter, thee's growing
rosy; the spring is gool Tor thee" said
her father, as the SHOWS begin to melt
She was growing rosy with hope. Three
weeks and he would he with her. The
railroad was open through that country
now. and though Dilpworth was by no
means "A way station, still great pride
was felt ms the trains rushed past. At
last came the letter which said:
II shall be with thee in three days
mean to ride from Rodgers Corners to
Dipworth as there is something on the
road which my lordship must inspect
Only three days, sweetheart, and I'm
coming over the mountain My mother
snnh, ihea 1hy MedIing gown by my