Ellsworth American., 1877-06-21
The Plot Of Echo Bridge.
This shall end -

and she stood among the flowers that al
most concealed one of the balconies of her
fair home, and looked upon two persons
saunterng aimlessly through the garden
! below.
II was night, and the moon bathed the
| garden in a weird beauty.
Il did not invite him here that he might
fall in love With that doll-faced girl at his
side yoDder." she continued with rising
Indignation, as she clenched her white
hands till the delicate nails scared the
palms. "She has infatuated him-stolen
him from me, despite my cherished plans
| and fondled hopes. | will not submit to
| il, | would not be womanly If | did not
resent this trickery and punish-yes, pun.
ish both of them. Father would not have
brooked a rival in his counting days, and
| will not stand idle beside this defeat and
strike no blow for revenge.
Speaking thus. the impassioned beauty
| watched the occupants OF the garden. saw
them traversng the flower bordered paths
like lovers. and heard the confused muir
mur Of low, 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 gratited, 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, Bahettc, had also
been reared. They had the same play
things, sang the same songs and trod the
same paths until mature natures formed.
Then they separated.
Myra. the dark haired beauty, developed
into the ,elf-willed capricous maiden,
fond of coquetry, while Babette, the gold
en-. was as gentle as the lily that bends to
kiss the llmpid brook.
During one Of her visits TO some friends,
the judges daughter encountered Cyrus
| Whitney, yoGng lawyer OF prominence,
and their acquaintance resulted in his COM
Ing to the aristocratic home,
For several weeks prior to the date of
our story the visitor had dwelt beneath
the judges roof. loved passionately by the
spoiled child of luxury, aud trusted by the
gentlcr cousin.
The rivalry on Myra's part had grown
into the CALLING bitterness OF hatred She
had never mentioned Babette to the visitor
bc.,r" lS arrival and he was surprised to
Ind that she had such lovely relative.
Perhaps the young lawyer had fathomed
the depths Of Myra's scheming, for he
showed a decided liking for Babette, and
the jealous one was nOt long in discovering
that her planning had but produced lover
for the xtrl She hated.
The discovery had given birth to a blight
ing passion before that tl@ss with all her
coquetry, unknown to her heart-revenge
Perhaps you will condescend 10 keep
your engagement with me tomorrow
night" she his>cd, still looking at the
couple IN the garden. Cyrus Whitney,
Tall the stars that shine above me cannot
tell how | hate You. Tomorrow night
that hatred may be revealed unto you.
I There j. no one 70 warn you
\ moment later thr balcony was desert
cG and the lovers had passed from the
garden.
With face still flushed by the words which
[ Cyrus Whitney bad breaihed into her ear
among the flowers, Babette stole to her
boudolr, while Myra tossed restlessly on
. her pillow. her mind n ctldrou OF passion
ami revenge.
Bnbettr deity slipped ring from her
iuger. and hid It among her keepsakes in
her little treasury, saying, in a low voice
Cousin Myra must not see 1t for several
davs ii can keep the secret so long. She
will laugh when she discovers that she
brought me a beau.
Poor, contding. unsuspecting Babette,
She did not dream OF the terrible days
that were 10 pass before Myra should see
the bctrothal ring.
True 10 his promise Cyrus Whitney rode
beside Myra Hayward on the following
evening. Their destination was the home
OF one Of the beauty's friends, several
miles away. and the amusements there
were 10 be dancing and ecarte.
There was an unwonted flash in Myra's
eyes a, She looked upon the handsome
man who rillcd saddle 80 gracefully at
her side, and grew vivacious as they cant
cred over the road.
..Lrbn hriIe,a thar
the planks of bridge that spanned deep
dark gorge. III you have not been made
acquainted 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 described it,"
Myra started, bit her lip and toyed half
yengctully with her riding whip.
when we return we will call out these
wonderful echoes" she said. when the
night is quite advanced, as II may then be
the sweeter and more prolonged are the
sounds. One needs to ride rapidly across
the bridge. and the rafting 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 he 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 10 the cunning yellow man VIII o
had led her horse 10 the mounting block
do not fail me, Dick" were her words,
and he had answered:
Never fear, miss"
| The moon became obscured black clouds
hid its disc, and threatened a storm, and
| the night became as dark as Erebus Such
was the hour when Myra and her escort
set out upon their return.
They were nearing Echo bridge as a
/ dark figure turned from ii and ran toward
the mansion, not far away. He fed 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 list
ened over his shoulder, then darted for
ward again. and at last become lost among
| the slave quarters attached to the estate.
II was Yellow Dick
Il wouldn't see it fer the world." he
muttered, with shiver. as he erept into "a
| cabin.
He was evidently frightened. for he
! crept into one corner of the untidy room,
and covered his head with a blanket as if
he would keep certain sights and sounds
away.
| In the meantime Myra Hayward and the
man she hated had drawn rein on knoll a
short distance from the gorge.
1--WE will court the echo now" she said.
with dash of triumph in her tone. The
bridge is just ahead, and if you will dash
across | will follow when you shall have
gained the other rise. From its summit
you can hear the echo of your horses
hoofs, and when have joined you will
tell the story that is linked to the gorge"
| He heard her, bowed, and with smile
| told her that he was of.
| The next moment Myra beheld him dart
! from her side with the impulse of rocket.
and heard the iron hoofs beating the hard
road Then she held her breath and grew
pale through excitement.
A minute had not elapsed when there
was cry that seemed TO Quiver the clouds
! OF darkness that hung low over the chasm.
Myra did not hear the dull thud that