Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-07-22


! Ethel Is nervous" observed Lord Walter.
speaking for the first ume-for both the young
! men had been plunged In a reverie The
| tiop."
"Still her warning is not to be sighted re-
| phed Frank, who had been thinking OF Lady
What warningFr
| Grange"
As the young farmer uttered these words he
distinctly saw, during momentary flash OF
autumnal lightning. two figures cross the path
under wood.
"Why did you call oute- demanded his friend
"Possloly II was wild fox crossed my path. .
answered Frank, eyaSfvely. Thank Heaven y
be added. 1--WE have reached the Gap. Let me
go first"
Not so, replied the high-spirited youth.
You treat me like child Frank IL there
Is any danger why should you be the first 10
Giving the rein to his horse. the speaker ad-
Eanced al brisk pace, taking, as he thought.
me road to Walourg but one OF the lamps had
tt removed and liked at distence, leaving
the precipice exposed and urguarded. In an
Instant the high-spnited animal and its rider
disappeared over the edge.
"Hah!" exclaimed the young larmer. with q
cry II horror. g He has gone over. There has
been treachery,-foul and deliberate treacheryi
CTuel cruel Who shall tell his poor father and
He started, as If he had suddenly received An
electric shock, for a low, waiting cry, which
sounded something like his own name had
nun upon MS ear. out so faint and lndstinct
that he thought at first his senses had PLAYED
him false.
1t came from the Gap" he exclaimed. great
~ excited, as he rushed to the brink or the
Falling fiat upon the grass, he dragged him.
SCI 10 me extreme edge OF the preclpice over
which Chowl, one OF Franks carriers, who hal
!a similar precaution. held one of tue
lamps. The heart of our hero beat WILDLY. for
ne let almost mad with JOY when he discov-
eseo I'M, ms ilend clnging to The boughs OF old
ASH Tree mat grew from projection far down
the preclpice. AS the horse fell from the gtddy
height, Lord Walter, with infinite presence Of
nnnd, bad clutched one Of the branches The
high spirited animal lay shapeless mass at the
bottom ofthe quarry, but its rider still lived,
and was comparatively unintured.
water; Dear Walter, Let me hear your
really safe?" '0U
For few moments only" replied the youth.
mouinIully. Heaven has granted me time to
breathe prayer fer those love. In an instant.
as II were. my heart has been revealed TO me-
FaTeWell forever. The old ash tree is gradually
yielding beneath my weight"
Hold on!' shouted Frank. "Providence viii
Lot leave Its work unaccomplIShed.-
Animated by the hope OF preserving bis friend.
lAe speaker Sprang to his feet and called to the
carter 10 bring him the ropes from the WAGON
These lie knotted together. seeing to the rasIen-
iDgS himself, and made a running loon at the
end with his own hands
-
thought Chowl, who OWNED his Intentions
more ropes, said his young master.
ihey were brought to him, and a similar pro-
cess gone through.
With the cords in his hands orr hero crent
once more &c the edge OF the cliff. The Old ash
inclined still more menacingly over the abyss.
ara the earth round the roots In the soil above
began 10 crack ominously. Frank compre-
nended at glance that his additional weight
WouId preclkltate 1t at once TO the bottom of
the quarry.
s.0h,- no rnurTourod ,rrsnr,,rcr lat, ,an.. l.
spaiTingly, what can ] do?"
"Giye them to me-" said a soft voice beside
1t was Ethel's The brave girl had heard OF
ord walters danger, and impelled by an i'm
| use she could not control fastened TO the
no. 1t would be too Jerrlbie!
More SO than his loss? demanded the forest
maiden, revealing the secret OF her pure and
innocent heart Il am slight; the tree may pos
sibly bear my weight. II only fer few min
ntes, I'M can throw the rope and loop him,
TWAS indeed the only ebance-fearful. desper.
ATE, yet possible. And all who heard her were
struck with admiration of her presence OF mind
and courage.
sit must be tried" she continued. with pas
sionate energy. You will not see him perish
What Is my life compared with his safety? 1
Half blinded by tears of admiration and
regret, Frank fastened one Of the loops careful
" round her waist, and placed the other 10 her
hand.
"Drop it over him, Ethel he whispered
.ThoSe above Will hold the ends OF the cords
DO not look down, the fearful height may make
you diZZy-be firm, and may God bless and pros.
per your undertaking."
Ethel closed her eyes for an instant In mental
prayer. Then pronounced In firm voice, II
am ready"
The young farmer took her in his arms and
lowered her carefully till her feet touched the
trunk OF the tree, on which she alighted as
Silently as bird. A momenrary shiverlng con-
Vulsed her delicate frame, but it passed almost
as quickly as it came.
flush" said Frank, to those around him.
Not word" The above we publish as a spe-
cimen chapter; but the continuation of this
story will be found only In the New York Led
ger. ASK for the number dated July 81, which
can low be bad at any news Office or book
store. Tie Ledger is the great family paper
1t not merely contains the most interesting
stories. sketches and essays, but original ar
t1cles from the most distinguished clergymen
statesmen and scholars. II publishes articles
every week from the pens OF the Rev. Dr. John
Hail. OF New York, and the Rev. DR.. Thomas NJ.
Clark, bishop OF Rhode Island.