The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-06-29

"Good-bye, Goldy," and she picked her
way over the narrow bridge that spanncd
the yawning chasm beneath. She was
graceful and walked with considerable case
stopping occasionally to shift
the pole and steady herself.
"She is walking slow and shaky tonight
said one of the men.
"She ls not walking us well as usual p
said Golson, lhurricdly, and looking at her
steadily. His glances never left her a
emo; she can beat that. think she's
in the sulks."
Golsoh paid no attention to the insult,
and watched her with fascinated gaze. His
face was somewhat palcr that usual, in
spite Of the red glare. He did not move
single muscle. Zoe had passed the middle
of the street.-The most dangerous place
and continued her walk toward the other
end. She toilcd up the incline, the rope
depressing under her tiny, nlmble feet, and
at last jumped safe and sound upon the
opposite roof. A tremendous dcafcning
shout arose from the mob, and the plucky
girl threw bunch of kisses ut Golson.
The color had returned to his face with
unnatural intensity, and the look of absorb.
ing anxiety had passed away. His chest
was broader and his eyes brighter. He
simply smiled at Zoe, and dld not even
applaud her.
The shouting below continued. The
men made no preparations to remove the
rope, but Golson started for the ladder.
"She's comm back" said one of the
men.
Golson stopped as if he had been shot
through the brain. The, hard, anxious look
returned, and the deatilly pallor came back
all in an instant.
Il didn't know that" he said, calmly
and resignedly. He resumed Ills old posi-
tion, and watched the girl with intense m
tcrcst-wlth a gaze in which were conccn-
tratcd his soul aud her heart and mind and
s:rcngth-a look in which. was expressed
the profoundest feelings of a strong na-
ture.
Zoe rested a momcnt, and again stepped
upon the rope. She had proceeded about
ten feet, when one Of the men remarked:
sShc's scarcd.''
Golson noticed it; we all saw it, Her
teeth was so tightly compressed that in the
dazzling light we could see ridges in her
cheeks. Her nostrils were expanded. and
she stared tiXedly ahead of the rope. Her
breathing was short. and trcmor appea red
in her arms and knees. Instead of her
usually erect carriage, there was pcrcop-
tible leaning forward. When she had made
but dozen steps she stopped and appeared
to be in doubt. She then apparently made
an effort to walk backward, but was cvi-
IDENTIFY afraid to undertake it. She stopped
again, mustered her courage, threw quick
glance at Golson, and recommended her
dangerous journey. The rope trcmbled
and swaycd under her feet, and in this way
caught swinging motion that tries the
nerve Of the most experienced balanccrs
When she had reached the middle it was
impossible to proceed. She might have
crossed safely, but the fire on our side was
exhausted. She had walked more slowly
than usually, and the fire was consumed too
soon. She could not see the rope distinctly
enough. She stood still for several sec
onds. The light behind her continued TO
barn, but it was of no assistance to her
and Immediately aftcrward It was also cx-
II tnf n
frightened girl by the light from below but
her face was obscurcd. The crowd sent
up Kisses and groans The ropc-wakcr at
tempted 10 take another step. She succeed
ed She tried a second and failed. Her
foot suddenly slipped, but she was active
and alert. and caught upon her knee. Her
fright increased and in the terrible excite
ment of the moment she dropped the pole.
1t struck the rope, balanced moment, and
slipped off upon the ground below. There
was great scattering, and the crowd
realized that tho young girl was falling.
Every sound was hushcd. The child
stcadied herself wildly and instinctivcy
moment with her arms rs she knclt on the
rope, and then fell.
Golsons appearance was painful and
pitiablc Great cords stood out upon his
face, which was overspread by an agony of
ghastly pallors. His muscles sweled with
ridges and knots, and his hands assumed
the appearance of an eagles claws. lie
gazcd at the the rope where the girl had
moment ago stood. She had caught by the
right hand, and hung suspended over the
cobbles. In another moment she graspcd
the rope with the other hand, and hung
perfectly still. Golson waited but few
seconds, when lie saw that the fright had
taken tho strength from her arms, and that
she could not climb upon the rorc He
dashed Off his hat, and graspcd the rope
with both hands, and threw one leg across
II. He crawlcd along carefully, that the
shaking might not cause the girl to lose her
hold. The crowd watched him in breath.
.ess silence. The rope swung lower under
the double weight, and the fastcnlngs