The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-08-12
on THE RAILWAY BRIDGE.

arc from one who will ever be proud to call
himself your sincere friend. Lucy Ames is not
faithful to you'll do not write this to You
for any base purpose for, since know so well
your generous and noble nature, cannot hesi-
tate when I see that nature become the inno-
cent dupe of vile dissimulation. Nor have
been too hasty IN communicating to you this
knowledge; only fear it is too late but rest
assured that all have said is true, and can be
attested by one who has an undoubted personal
howledge Of al the facts. Arthur Wesley, the
sinsing-master, is yeur too-fortunate rival
Yours. A FRIEND
This was not the first intimation I had
had Of Lucy's Inconsistency. had seen
things with my own eyes that made me
doubt her sincerity. For long time
the unEelco1ne suspicion had been prey
ing upon me, and this fatal letter had
come to bring conviction-stern irrevo-
cable. hopeless conviction. SssisaiI
did not doubt the truth of it and
yet how it writhed my soul with torture
to think Of It, to admit its truth. IT did
not, It could not crush me braEed it
to the last; I should have been less than
man to do otherwise. I Ireperused the
letter, calmly-no, not calmly-not in
differently, but sternly, as though 1T
were decreed Of fate that should not
only drain the bitter CUP, but should
swallow the very dregs.
And yet I loved the -wayward girl,
and gladly, oh, how gladly would !
have forgiven her imprudencei To her,
I went to seek an interview. Lucy was
proud-too proud to be Just to herself !;
yet she was generous and noble, IN spite
of all her fekleness. -
Obstinately convinced that she had
prefared another to me, i did not ask
or expect any explanations from her; i
showed her, without any hesitation, the
letter had just received, and requestedi
her to return me such letters as I had
previously written to her, and any other
little keepsake which might In future
prove annoying to her. She bestowed
ON me Q lock which I shall never forget
DO you believe this, Edward r. she
asked. Z. 7oa4o -ur $,
.aI do" T replied, without hesitation.
"What unimpeachable evidence ?" she
retorted, with the first impulse of PRIDE
VTdo not rely on the informatio con-
tanned in tilis letter.. I said, -, g I have
seen enough myself without asking any
persons advice or opinion"
She Immediately left the room, and
returned Id few moments with q pack
age of letters and small box of jewels,
my former presents, saying gayly, as she
placed them In my hands
By these tokens, then, since it is
your will, absolve you.
nspite of the smile that played upon
hermouth, I thought i could detect traces
of recent tears, hastily brushed away
from her cheeks. st2EAk ~ z
In moment the thought flashed upon
my mind that she might, after all, be
true. ImpulsiyelyI I was about to speak
to her, to ask her if it was not so /; but
what should say? had gone too far,
and it was too late to retreat. But, as
the Thought had come upon me like a
fash. it vanished as it had come, leaving
no alternative but to pursue the course
Farewell then I" I said, with appar-
ent indifference. "May your future life
be ever lighted with the sunshine Gol
happiness (" ha .8
"Thank you, /" she replied. ST trust
no act of my own viii ever bring misery
upon me.
sConscienee. Miss Amesacon,
science" said.
asWill never reproach me, she replied
Heaven grant it !" said ]. z" The
step you have taken may, in your opin-
ion, be Just, but let me assure you 9th
ers do not think SO. We do not always
see ourselves as others see us.
have done nothing, Mr.. Worthing
ton, to merit this" said Lucy; "yor
are not only deceived, but inPertinent
sir; and you cautio iously avoid any ques
tions that might lead to an explana
ton"
"I ask no explanation" / hurriedI.
replied, and Immediately took my de
parture IN no very amlables mood, no
did wish to humble myself sufficiently
to ask her any questions that might, a
she had suggested, lead TO satisfactor,
explanation. ~ -
What avictory pride had woni How
perfect and complete had been its ulti
mate success on both sides + -
1 hurried from the door I turnet
my steps homeward again. Instinctivel.
I took the usual course in returning
home (for Lucy lived nearly mile out O
town., and walked along, SO busy witt
my thoughts as to be utterly unconsciou
of anything and everything else
There was 3 high railway bridge tha
Law hatween ma and the town inst wild
enough for the lines. the middle @
which was planked over for the con
venience Of pedestrians, as there was N
other bridge over the river for som
miles. Outside the lines it was lmpossl
BILE to walk.
One o. the planks, Whlch was yer
thick and heavy, had 6een parity raise
ior some purpose, ana leIt In tnat pos
uon. In enoeaVorlng 10 pass II
sIruch my iooe aga,nss 1s ~ na ssu9pieo, ano nc
IA leoo'e myself ioi1eu 1ne le
oLor ia sns SpeTf eH tb ana' s.s naanrsd -
re1e;n i IN NV "i1 snn;i;br;nm iii & r rsnlsced n