The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-06-27
NUMBER 81.

turn had hidden the rest of the party from
them, and their voices sounded faint and dis:
tant.
NOW we will 60 down to those lovely green
meadows" said Margaret. "But, o DR.. Jamesl
what is thatf
Only o bridge across, made of . great pine
log. You see the top has been smoothed"
"a bridge! Then it is meant to be crossed.
Come, let us cross it,"
Certainly, if you wish. have been foolish
enough to cross it before, and am willing to do
again."
"Why was it foolish ~
Because it is dangerous. 1t is only q few
steps across, acknowledge. But look down;
how would you like to fall among those rocksT'
At this moment three four of the party
came round huge rock which had hidden
them from sight, and evidently netiosd the
two standing by the bridge.
"You need not try to friGhten me, DR..
James; my nerves are not easily shaken.
Come. shall 60 frstf'
eff you please. Your stick may be a sort Of
balance pole; imagine yourself on the tight
rope, aook steadily at that little tree before
you; don't look down. am in earnest Miss
Lester" .
Margaret looked at him, laughed, and stepped
on the little bridge The people who were
looking ct them were frightened, and the girls
turned away their faces. Margaret made
three steady steps, then paused.
"Do you see what lovely green that water
is, just below usr
Two steps moro and her stick dropped, che
staggered, and put her hands to her head.
al am fallingp
But she felt strong hand on each of her.
shoulders, and voice of command said
Fix your eyes on that tree, and walk
straight on" She obeyed, and three more
steps brought her to finn ground. Instantly,
almost before her feet touched the bank, the
doctor withdrew his hands, and without q
word, with displeased and gloomy face, pre-
coded her down the bank. He was saying to
himself:
"Now We shall have a scene and she will
say sho owes her life to me, and call me her
preserver or some such nonsense"
Margaret leaned for a moment against tho
little tree she had been told to look at so stead
lastly, and then followed her companion
through the woods. He walked SO fast that
she was soon out of breath trying to overtako
him. When she had done so, she said in low
voice:
81 am vain and contemplate. deSpis0
myself more than I can express. Forgive mo
for giving you 80 much trouble"
DR.. James turned his face was clear, and
he smiled upon her with q smile that was sun
shine itself; he did not reply, but walked
Slo Wy by her side, then stopped, and holding
out to her, said:
"See, here are the FIRST flowers; the little
hepatica ventures out before AZ the rest. Will
you take itH How pretty it isf How delicate
the colors are; and the stem Is covered with
fur. Notice the green and brown leaves, tooi
they add to its beauty and singulArity. It 10
my favorite flower"
The deep flush in Margarets face had died
away, aud her voice had resumed it's usual
tone when they Joined the rest of the party
and sat down to the feast but her gayety was
gone and it seemed as if nothing could recall
It. She was distracted and serious, and not in
accordance with the merriment around her.
At last she arose, and went to a rock, on which
The leaned, and watched the little miDnows
iarting about in a green pool of water, when
The was startled by the doctors voice close be-
tide her. He held toward her small silver
,umbler, filled with iced claret and water, and
laid in uDdertone:
Miss Lester, now can you let trlue weigh
70 on your mind, and cloud all your enjoy
nent ~ He was smiling in q friendly way;
mt she looked at him reproachfulIy, and said:
"How can you call 1t trihs I 1t might have
ost me my life"
You are right" he replied gravely; moth
ng ought to be called trihe whose conse-
uences might be serious, though attendant
make Us look at the same thing
n such different lights at different times. On
he bridge and when felt angry with you
fter ward, your conduct seemed to me q most
reighty matter; now can with difi,ulty re