The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-11-03

selves. The mill lowered grim and
silent on the other side.
Painting, and with strength that
was scarcely her own. the cirI
wrenched the plank aside from It's in
secure fastening Deliberately she
balanced it upon The edge. testing its
equilibrium with her foot. II waved
under Der weight.
With an inartieulste sound ex-
pressing satisfaction, she turned and
walked in the direction from which
one must come to cross to the mill.
She crouched in the darkness beside
the path, silent as the Indian in am
bush. One idea alone possessed her
sullen mind; it was that Of two foot
steps. aud the fate Of two persons.
This accomplished. there was nothing
in the future. Present revenge was
all
The time was well chosen. Down
the path came the sound Of feet and
Of Subdued voices Not even q
darker shade was visible upon the
universal shadow to mark the sd-
vaneing figures. They existed to
the senses only as the noise Of
cruDching snow and the murmer OF
softly spoken words Thus they
came nesrer, aud Mary's heart grew
harder as the ripple of laughter and
the low response fell on her ears.
They were opposite to her, when
she heard, as if continuing a subject
already spoken Of, the mans voice
saving:
mo, she's too Eighty. I wouldn't
bother myself about her any more, If
] was you"
But she isn't Eighty to me, Joe.
Ii You knew her you'd say so, too
And | don't know what's been the
matter with her."
What difference does il make. Ag-
gle She's a shiftless crazy thing. or
she wouldn't have left the mill, where
she was earning good wages, for
nothing but her laziness."
90 joe you don't know. or YOU
wouldn't talk that way. Ol" and
sObs came through the Darkness
1--WE been wicked TO let you think
such things of Mary She needn't
have lett unless she wanted to.1
Il hope | know that, said the man,
half sneeriagly.
But sic gave up her place to me.
U so generous ss she isl | didn't
know Of it until she had fixed it all
with the foreman, and then she only
kissed me, and said, 'Aggie, / told
you you wouldn't have to leave"
Its Just as shiftless, anyway"
Joe, do you care anything for megn
said the sirl' voice, angrily.
"Of course do" was the reply.
Then quit talking that way about
my best friend, who's as much better
than am as you can think. She's
just the best girl in Ashton, and 1
won't go step farther with you to-
night if you don't say So"
For the first time in that cold and
dreary day a shiver shook Mary
Wilson's limbs Aggie's dress had
brushed ber ID passing, and she had
followed close, hearing every word
that was spoken. Blinded as her
heart was 70 reason, the evil spirit
that there found Occupaey shrunk be-
tore the voice Of warm and sincere
kindness. Her soul struggled feebly
as If awaking. She began TO know,
in dim and confused way, that Ag-
gle was unconscious of guilt in steal
ing her lover, that her sacrifice was
appreciated, and that the one friend
left her in the world was imperiled
by her hand She again felt the
weakness Of the evening before over
coming her.
A moan arose to her lips, but was
crushed down. What. after all. was
Aggie's affection with the loss Of
Joe? Could it atone for the shame
and misery advancing upon her with
the certainty Of iRvincibIe fate as the
result of her wild passion? Could It
make the dreadful future as toler-
able for her as the miserable present.
Better to make one final sacrifice and
gain oblivion for herself, while leav-
ing Aggie to her happiness.
She was now trembling in every
limb. The demon tore her as be was
driven cut by The exoreism of divine
charity. Weak and saltering, but
with new purpose, she gathered
her strength and sped past and be-
fore the lettering companions towards
the canal. Stopping where she had
bent before, she sought to lift and re-
place the plank. Her force seemed
exhausted The heavy timber sway
ed but refused to be pushed into its
former position. She struggled with
desperation, for a laughing voice vas
approaching. A vertigo seized her
as with one supreme effort the plank
moved she leaned forward uron IL.
and with O swift sliding motion il
plunged, dragging her with ii. into
the black water Of the canal.
"HullOo :" said Joe, Is be reached
the spot and cautiously put out his
foot to feel the boards in the darkness
before venturiDg to cross, Something
has happened TO the bridge. There
ain't no plank here Wen have to
go round the other way"
al know what you want" laughed
Aggie: "but 1 don't mind taking
longer walk with you."-C uerland
Monthly