The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1879-10-14

\ DUMP eloVucHCc' iOu are my lONc, NY Ill
: the world
/. And so his life came back before him, sit
' ting IN that log cabin; the faces mixed up
with things around, the old scenes passing
like panorama before his eyes, And this
was his story:
Years ago two brothers had stood hand
D finland by the bedside of dying father,
! and promised him to live in love with one
another, to sacrifice TO each other, to bear
and forbesr. 1t would be so easy to keep
that promise they said to themselves They
had always lived together from childhood,
had worked side by side on their fathers
farm, and not a difference had ever existed
between them. II seemed so unlikely that
they, jointly inheriting the farm, would
ever separate, that the promise was readily
given. The life in that dear old place near
The midland county town was so uneventful,
so rich in the luxuries of peace and good
will, that the sacrifice which their promise
should one day demand of them never could
have been believed had any prophet fore
told it. Yet ii was TO be, and it came when
the brothers had reached the mans estate.
Across the bridge of the old mill-dam,
one evening in the spring little light feet
trod, and girl Of bright beauty, light at
| heart, and Of merry voice, looked down up
on the rushing waters below; while, above
the rattle they made, her voice was heard
singing a merry song, and filing the quiet
evening air in oyergladness Of heart
Ida Rutland was the only daughter of
Squire Rutland, who lived at the hall in
the village, and who was at once half-lord,
halt.slGye Of the people, Food for mind or
physic for body he would dispense with the
ready peartiness ofa man who asked the
love Of those beneath him, and thought his
trouble well spent.
Ida Rutland was motherless and her
fathers idol. Pet though she WAS, he had
never spoilt her, and she had all his good
ness of heart, his love and pity for the poor,
who loved and worshipped her.
OF course il was fate that led her
that evening 10 the Old mil.dam,
The squire had gone on business into town,
and she knew the time he would return
and also the very spot where she could
meet him. And she had started for that
purpose, but the rains had been late that
season, and there was danger in the dam.
The waters were our and rushed down with
more than usual force, and the question
had been asked: Would the dam hold"
AS Ida stood looking down into the lush
ing water, increasing in bodily force, as
she sang little snatches Of song in the JOY
and great gladness Of her heart, no sense
Of insecurity was felt by her; and yet the
wooden bridge on which she stood shook
by the waters rush, and that was not unus-
ual. She would not have long to wait,
however before her father would arrive in
in the dog-cart which he would drive from
town, aud she would mount beside him
and both would 90 home together.
The sun was just gone down and the
gray light in the eastern sky was creeping
over to the West to put out the daylight
which the sun had left behind, and the air
was very still Presently beside Ida
mans torn appeared, and she turned and
found it was Gerald Edwards, the elder
bother.
He saluted her with gentlemanly court
esy. and then asked:
DO You think there is any danger, Miss
RnthlandW
Danger" replied Ida; danger Of
WHAT"
"Of the miil-dam giving way" he an
swered, "The water, fear, is increasing
and certainly ! think the bridge shakes
more than il did.'
81 did not notice it." she said. ~ was
waiting for papa and did not think of the
danger. But what do you think, Mr.,
Edwards"
~ am afraid there is danger unless the
water goes down during the night. If it
were morning now something might be
done to strengthen it, but as it is we must
hope for the best ! have warned the good
people in the cottage below that they must
watch all night They have boat tied at
the door, so that should the dam burst and
the water reach the cottage, they will take
the boat and trust to it."
you are very thoughtful" she said
graveiy; land that is why often wish l
was a man. l.should never have provided
for such an emergency But men are very
brave"
- AN glad you think have done
rightly. Accepting your compliment Miss
Rutland, will you now allow me to suggest
that you should leave the bridge. can.
not think it safe. 1t seems to me that the
water has loosened the supports, and, if so,
il may goat any moment"
$40 you think so" she said.
Eyes, he answered, gravely But I am
gong down the bank to examine it, and
when return ! shall know if there is any
particular danger"
Saying this, he tied one end of the long
cord he carried around post on the bank
and began to descend.
Ida watched him curiousy as well as
anxiously as lie went carefully down the
slippery bank and disappeared IN the dim
light beneath the supports Of the old
wooden bridge. She knew now the danger
which threatened the village and as she
stood thinking over it and waiting for the
verdict Of the man who was to her mind so
noble, tho quick steps Of an approaching
horse and the rattle Of wheels fell upon
her ear. 1t was her father returning. At
once the sense Of his danger struck her.
He must cross the bridge. Would it bear