The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-21

THE RAILROAD BRIDGE.


Harry Moordale, went as passenger in
the ship Tempest. bound to Havre. at
Ehich port he arrived in due course of
time.
Among other passengers there was
beautiful Swiss girl, whose name Harry
learned was Mary Lorme. Her step was
like Il roe's, her teeth were as white as
the rim of daisy, her voice resembled
the tinkling of silver bell and she had
purple-black hair that fell in ripping
masses below her waist.
Ny friend had ventured once or twice
to address the maiden, and her timid,
modest, half frightened manner seemed
to repel an intimate acquaintance. She
had informed the yonng man, however,
that she bad been to New York to assist
female cousin engaged in the dry goods
business; that soon after her arrival
there her relative had died largely in
debt, whereupon Mary had concluded to
return home to her father, who, in spite
of a severe illness, had, in accordance
with an agreement by letter, come to
Dion with the old family coach to wait
for her
Having learned this much, Harry took
q great interest in the girl, and felt al
most bound to act the knight for one III
her lonely, defenseless condition.
When the boat-which, among other
passengers, contained her aud him
struck the landing, Harry politely Of
fered to carry the fair ones carpet-bag,
which, containing, besides her clothing,
such articles as fower-lines, lines for
hosiery, etc., etc, was very heavy.
She thanked him with her usual sweet
smile, lust raising the long lashes of her
soft eyes, revealing both orbs glistening
like diamonds.
He took the bag and the young couple
entered the diligence which was to carry
them to Paris.
There they finally arrived, ten min
utes too late for that days train. The
travellers were informed, however, that
there was another train at a station fif-
teen miles distant, preparing to start in
five hours. -.
SIS there no conveyance to the place?"
queriel Harry.
He was answered in the negative by
the polite official.
81 must 20 onp' exclaimed Mary.
ANY father, am afraid, is very sick. /
81 must see him as soon as | can"
Fifteen miles is long distance to
walk" said Harry.
"Not for me-" answered Mary, smiling.
''The sw s., you know, are great walkers.
I have been brought up to it almost
from infancy"
As her soft, pleading eyes seemed to
say, "You must go with me" Harry
could not resist the appeal.
They started, moving along the rail-
road, for there was no other way. When
ever they came to n log or rut, Harry
would extend his hand and assist hi
pretty companion, when, with smile
and shake of the head, she would leaE
over the obstruction as nimbly as a
fawn.
They had proceeded ten miles, wher
they saw the sun 60 down behind {
range of blue hills in the distance. The
two were moving along a high bridge
raised upon spiles about two hundred
feet from the earth, which, beneath it
was rocky and inundated here an(
there by foanling torrents.
Ahead of them the travellers perceived
that for distance of about one hundred
yards there were no cross-planks between
the rails! Therefore, in order to travers
this space, Mary and her companion
must walk upon the track. Unfortune
ately, the track was not very broad, ye
person of steady balance, capable o
maintaining his self-possession, in spite 0
the yawning abyss on each side OF him
might occasionally derive support fror
the beam projecting outward severa
inches beyond each side of the track
Which was riveted upon it.
Frail support this, however, witt
those Jagged rocks, two hundred feet bt
low, ready TO receive the unfortunat
adventurer who should make the sligh
est misstep!
Harry paused, looked at his fai
friend and shuddered.
ave had better turn about" said he.
care you afraidT' she softly inquired
Then, as his cheek glowed hotly-"Fc
my sake, / mean"
"For your sake? Yes"
Mary smiled.
"Ghave been on the Alps" she sai'
following those who hunted on the ic
ruins of precipices for the chamoi
Therefore why should | shrink now"
Still Harry hesitated. A rail W;
different from the edge of precipic
and the young man fancied he could a
ready hear Mary's piercing shrek
could already see her form cleaving tt
air headlong toward those dangero'
rocks beneath.
Meanwhile twilight was gathering
the crimson hues on the sky were mel
ing away in shadows. The travellers,
including to attempt the perilous eros
ing, had better do so now while lig
enough remained.
So, said Mary, and her glance W
firm, her cheek unblanched as she spok
II Let me 20 alone" she continue