The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-06-03


So shall the Emerald Isle once more
With all its old gifted, Celtic race
The days of persecution Der
! With Nations take its place.
THE LADY'S BRIDGE.
A Legend Of Toledo, Spain.
"rhc archbishop has determined to re-
build the bridge."t
''Thc news is too good to be true"
'It IS true, for T am the messenger to
the architect to whom the work IS to be
committed
"Toledo will pray forever for Don
Pedro Tenorio, if he carries out this de
sign.
Such was q fragment of conversation
in the streets Of Toledo, in the year 1890
The ancient bridge, broken down by the
floods of 1908, and afterward rebuilt, was
now to be restored with great magnif-
cencc. The architect was one whose
fame had extended far and wide, but this
promised to be the GROWING achieve
ment of his art.
''Spare not" said The archbishop, shut
let the bridge be worthy Of the town, of
its artist and Of its founder. Let it typi-
| fy my munifcencc, thy genius, and the
strength and beauty OF the city,
ut shall be worthy Of all three,' re-.
sponded the artist.
Troops of workmen were now engaged,
piles were driven, immense stones select
ed with great care, were brought to the
river banks and wrought into shape. The
architect spent much of his time in watch
ing the gradual realization in concrete
form of his design. At first he was blithe
and cheerful, animating the men with
his own spirit, and full of devices for
smoothing away all the many difficulties
that arise to impede such undertakings;
but after while his manner changed,
AMI in proportion as the bridge advanced
to completion, he became sad and quite
moody. One day he sat and gazed for
hours at the bridge, wrapped in sorrow-
full thought, taking no heed of the by
ISLANDERS, like one IN an evil dream. A
| soft hand was placed on his shoulder, a
low, shy voice gave gentle utterance to his
name.
"Louis!"
"Juanita!'
It was the girl to whom he was be-
! trothed, and whose fate was to be linked
to his own on the completion of the
bridge.
"Why are you so sad, Louise What is
the meaning Of this sorrow that seems to
darkcn all your life? Am I the cause?
Do you no longer love me2"
II love you dearer than life"
She gave a little sigh Of pleasure and
relief.
~ was afraid some stately dame had
stolen your heart away from poor Jua-
| nita."
Impossible. have no heart. 1t is III
your keeping
'*That's pretty compliment, but it is
not true; for IT had your heart could
read In it the secret cause which has con-
| verted my gayslov into melancholy,
moody man."
II will tell you the canse, Juanita, and
my confidence will show you how much
I love you, for it places my lite and my
honor in your hands. Both, alas, will
soon be blasted"
30, say not SO, Louis. know you are
incapable of crime and everything else
can be remedied."
"Find me a remedy for this. In the
| plans for the construction Of the bridge l
have made fatal oversight. The mis-
take is known only to myself, and only
became conscious of it after all posslbil-
| ity Of correcting it was gone. The bridge
now is incased in a network of scaffold-
ing, snoring and supports Of every kind;
but the moment these are cleared away
the centre Of the structure will tall into
the river, and that which was to have
been the monument Of my skill will be a
h;deous ruin, titsymbol of my folly and
disgrace"
Juanita was stunned by this unexpect-
cd revelation. The vague fear inspired
by her lovers changed demeanor had de-
termined her question, but she had not
dreamed Of a ruin so near and so COM
plete. In moment she saw fade from
view all the happiness Of the future that
had been living in her day dreams and
giving roseate hue to the winding hor-
lions of woman. hood. The glowing COL
ors of life changed before her eyes into
the blackncss of death and despair. Then
with the woman instinct that seeks to
comfort others, regardless Of her own
anguish, she sought to console him.
"How cruel have been to reproach
your sadness! How little did think
it had so terrible cause! But tell me,
Louis, can you devise no remedyt"
| Nonc.''
"Noth1ng but taking down the bridge
and rebuilding it2''
"Nothing less will avail.''
"Well, let us trust in God. Perhaps
he will point out some way Of escape.
For me, will go and pray to Our Lady
for her help and guidance. feel sure
that this evil will be averted"
There was no foundation for her hope,
and yet it comtorted him.
It was the night before the day fixed
for the final inspection of the bridge. To-
morrow the archbishop will pronounce
his solemn blessing on the work; to-mor-
row the scaffolding and trusses will be
removed; tomorrow the bridge will stand
forth in all its glory, proud addition to
the many beauties of the city tomorrow
The night was stormy; the wind and rain
had swollen the river into torrent, and
Louis, as he tossed restlessly upon his
bed, almost prayed that its force might
sweep away the entire structure. It
would be less disgrace than that which
awaited him on the morrow. He arose.
and stood at the window OF his room. He
looked out into the night. His eyes ma
turally sought the direction of the great
bridge. but there was nothing to be seen
but blackncss. Stay! What was that
wandering flannel His heart stood
still as dim white figure, bearing in
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