The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-05-25

| paused moment on the verge of tn,
bridge TO steady her nerves, for she saw
that she must step from tie to tie in or
der to cross. She took the first step
and then she heard a shout:
-" Go back, instantly! The train ha.
whistled for Locks Cross Roads! &c
back, tell your
She recognized the voice before she
lookedu up to see Vertner Fales standing
at the opposite end of the bridge. Had
1t been any other she might have obeyed
nm; him she would not. She kept on
boldly.
Good Godr' he cried; "are you
mad?'
Still no answer, but the same quiet
advance.
There was roar behind her which
she knew was not the roar of the river:
a red light from the signal lantern
flashed across the water; she heard the
sharp whistle to down brakes, and real
lzed her danger. And Just then Vert
tales stood face to face with her, his
eyes burning down into her. Only a
second, and he had crushed her down
upon the timbers, prone between the
rails, and thrown himself beside her.
Be still, on your lifer' hewhispered,
hoarsely; and then
She felt the hot breath of the loco
motive sweep over her; fire seemed all
around her; the frail fabric beneath
shook fearfully; she strove to rise, but
an iron hand held her down.
There was one terrible moment of
agonizing suspense, and then the fear
full roar of the train was passing into
the distance, and once more the free air
swept the face of Atheline.
Vert Fales lifted her up and bore her
swiftly and silently across the bridge.
She made no resistance now; she let
him hold her closely as he pleased, for
she remembered that but for him she
would now have been in eternity
The rain was falling in torrents. Vert
took off his coat and wrapped her in it,,
and led her to dense thicket of spruce
just on the river bank, which afforded
partial shelter Atheline found voice
first.
"Mr. Fales," she said, with emotion,
how shall offer you my gratitude?"
He looked at her, but did not speak
Beneath his eyes her face flushed red
as June roses. The revelation came to
her fully, then. She knew why she had
felt so angry with herself whenever she
had thought of Vertner Fales. She
knew why she could never trust herself
to speak of him or even think of him in
the presence of others.
For an instant there was a fierce
struggle in this proud woman's heart,
and then love thrust pride back.
He came close to her and took her
hands in his.
dare | ask it?'' he said, passion
ately; Athelipe, in spite of all, l love
you, and dare ask a return?"
mo-" she said, tremblingly, :" you
may not ask it, fort is already
given"
He drew her into his arms.
:" Kiss me, dear; [ shall realize my
great happiness better"
She touched her lips to his, forget
ting that she was kissing a poor farm
laborer; Ignoring what her friends
would say when they knew that she
loved man who wore a striped frock
But in the midst of her sublime con-
tent she thought of what had Just
passed, and shuddered even with his
arms around her.
He drew her closer.
"What is it, darling?"
81 was only thinking what if YOU
had not been here a moment ago, and
L had died, missing this great joyr'
But U0S here. | have followed
you at distance all day-followed you
with sore heart. knew it was my
last chance, and, when | met your eyes,
| was very coward! ! saw you when
you started to cross the bridge, and
called out to you, but you did not heed
me. Well, perhaps it is as we'll"
cit is BETTER she said, humbly,
" for, Vert, in my hateful pride might
never have acknowledged how it was
killing me to treat you so coldly had |
not owed to you my lifen'
The clouds broke soon, the evening
star looked out of the lucid west. Vert
ner Fales and Atheline walked to the
farm through the wet grass, never
thinking of the discomfort; and Athe-
line announced to delighted Mrs. Mar
shall her intention of remaining at the
farm through the autumn.
And early in the winter Miss Herne' S
dear 800 friends were electrified by the
return of their favorite, accompanied
by her husband, man who rapidly
made his way upward until, at length,
he held the highest office in the gift of