Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-05-26
The Plot of Echo Bridge.

y
"This shall end !"
The speaker was Judge Haywards accom-
plished and beautiful daughter Myra, and sh
stood among the flowers that almost conceale
one Of the balconies OF her fair home, an
looked upon two persons sauntering amlessl
through the garden below.
1t was night, and the moon bathed the gar
den in weird beauty.
81 did not invite him here that he might fal
in love with that doll-faced girl at his side yon
dor y slIe continued with rising indignantoa
as she clcnched her white hands till the deli
cate nails SCARED the pains. "She has in
fatuatcd him---stolen him n ON me, despite IN.
cherished plans and fondle hopes. l will no
submit to it would not be womanly if
did not resent this trckery and punish yes
punish both of them. Father would not hav,
brooked rival in his counting days, and viii
not stand idle beside this defeat and strike nc
blow for revenge.
Speaking thus, the impassioned beauty
watched the occupants of the garden, saw
them traversiug the flower bordered paths like
lovers, and heard the confused murmur OF
ow, gentle voices
Myra Haywood had been reared in the luxury
found among the wealthy homes of the earth.
An only child, her slightest wishes had been
gratiiicd, and she had grown to dazzling
womanhood, petted and almost thoroughly
spoiled by an indulgent father. Besides her
and under the same roof her orphan cousin.
Babotte, had also been reared. They had the
same playthings, sang the same songs and trod
ba tbu p{i1 ofu
Then they separated.
Myra the dark haired beauty, developed into
the sef-willed, capricious maiden, fond of CO.
quetry, while Babctte, the golden. was as gen
tie as the lily that bends to kiss the lmpid
brook.
During one of her visits to some friends
the judges daughter encountered Cyrus Whit
ney, young lawyer of prominence, and their
acquaintance resulted in his coming to the
aristocratic home.
For several weeks prior to the date of o,lr
story the visitor had dwelt beneath the judges
roof, loved passionatcly by the spoiled child of
luxury, and trusted by the gontler cousin.
The rivalry Oh Myra's part had grown in o
the calling bitterness of hatred. She had never
mentioned Babette to the visitor before lis ar
rival, and he was surprised to find that she had
such lovely relative.
Perhaps the young lawyer had fathomed the
depths of Myra's schcming, for he showed
decided liking for Babette, and the jealous one
was not long in discovering that her planning
bad but produced lover for the girl she
hated
The discovery had given birth to blighting
passion before that time, with all her coquctry,
unknown to her heart-revenge
"Perhaps you will condescend to keep your
engagement with me tomorrow night" she
hisscd, still looking at the couple in the gar
den, "Cyrus Whitney, all the stars that shine
above me cannot tell how hate you. To-mor-
row night that hatred may bo revealed unto
you. There is no one to warn you.'
A moment later the balcony was deserted,
and the lovers had passed from the garden.
With face still flushed by the words which
Cyrus Whitney had breathed into her ear
among the flowers, Babette stole to her bo,l-
doir, while Myra tossed rcstlessly on her pill
low, her mind caldron OF passion ana re-
yenge.
Babette doftly slipped ring from her finger,
and hid it among her keepsakes in her little
treasury saying, in low voice:
"Cousin Myra must not see it for several
days, if / can keep the secret so long. She
will laugh when she discovers that she brought
me beau.
Poor. coniiding, unsuspecting Babette
She did not dream of the terrible DAYS that
were to pass before NIyra should see the be-
trothal ring.
True to his promise Cyrus Whitney rode be-
side Myra Hayward on the following evening
Their destination was the home of one of The
Eoauty's friends, several miles away, and the
amusements there were to lie dancing and
ccaitc.
There was an unwonted flash in Myra = ewes
as She looked upon the handsome man who
filled a saddle SO gracefully at her side, and
grew vivacious as they cantercd over the road.
echo bridge as their stecds struck the |
rlanks of y bridge that spanned deep. dark
gorge. "If you have not been made acquaint- |
ed with the delightful echoes of this region,
Mr.. Whitney, rich treat has been withheld"
"Then have missed the pleasure, was the .
reply. ''though your Cousin Babette has de-
scribed it,
Myra started bit herlip and toyed half vengc-
fully with her riding whip.
"When we return we will call out these wor- ,
dcrful echoes" she said. when the night is ,
quite advanced. as it may then be the sweeter
aud more prolonged arc the sounds. Que
needs to ride rapidly across the bridge, and the !
rattling of hoofs and planks makes the music
wilder"
Cyrus Whitney seemed pleased with the idea
OF awaking the slumbrous echoes of the hills .
and gorge, and said that upon their return lie .
would ride like a trooper across the bridge.
Myra shivered and turned her head away to
smile for satisfaction. Perhaps her mind went
back to a few moments before the start from
the mansion, when she had whispered to the
cunning yellow man who had led her horse to
the mounting block:
"Do not fail me, Dick" was her words, and
he had answered:
"Never fear, miss
The moon became obscured. black clouds hid
It's disc, and threatened storm, and the night
became as dark as Erebus. Such was the hour
when Myra and her escort set ont upon their
return.
They were nearing Eche bridge as dark fig
'Ire turned from it and ran toward the man.
sion, not far away. He fled like a robber who
has been surprised at some nefarious work. for
the sound of hoofs were already awaking the
echoes of the hills. Once or twice he paused
and listened over his shoulder, then darted
forward again, and at last became lost among
The slave quarters attached to the estate.
II was Yellow Dick ,