The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-07-24

was committed to await the perilous
ordeal on the keystone of the center
arch, inspired everyone with conf
dence.
1t was toward midnight. when Juan
de Arevalo assembled the scaffolding OF
the center arch of the bridge, with the
object of seeing that everything was
in readiness for the the morrow's criti-
cal work and as he slowly mounted up
wards he gleefully hummed the refrain
of some familiar song. Suddenly the
song ceased from his lips, the JOY dis
appeared from his countenance, and he
returned to his house full of sadness
and despair.
Catalina, his devoted and faithful
wife ran with cheerful face and loving
words to meet him on the threshold of
their home, but as she saw the look OF
anguish on her husbands countenance,
her cheeks caught the pallor of his.
"Tell me for Heavens sake" she
cried, "are you illp"
"No, dear love-" replied Juan, en-
deavoring to conceal his despair.
"For the first time in your life you
are hiding something from mer' said
Catalina. IAN no longer worthy OF
that love and confidence which up to
now you have ever bestowed upon me!'
"Do not add to my trouble, Catalina,
by doubling my love for you"
There can be no love where there
is no confidence"
"For your sake and mine do not
seek to know the secret that l am hid
ing from YOU" cried Juan.
"Your secret is one of sadness and l
must know it so that may comfort you
in your Sorrow"
"Comfort mel Alas, that is impossi-
BILE, Catalina
ITO love such as mine nothing is i'm
possible"
Every well then, SO be it. To-mor-
row / shall forfeit my honor and my
life, for shall be swept away by the
river together with the structure which
have reared with SO much mingled
anxiety and hope"
mo, nor cried Catalina, throwing
her arms round her husband and sitting
in her breast the grief which his words
had caused her.
YES" said he; at the moment
when my confidence in my work was a:
its hight, discovered that an error in
my calculations will assuredly cause the
downfall of the bridge of San Martin
and of him who planned and built it. -
"The bridge may be buried in the
stream, but not you. my husband, my
love! will go down on my knees to
the noble Cardinal and beseech him to
prevent your carrying out this horrible
contract
You will but ask in vain, for, even
should your prayer be granted, l will
not live dishonored."
"Then you shall preserve both life
and honor" replied Catalina, firmly.
Day was about to break, and Catalina
appeared to slumber, whilst her hus-
band. worn out by grief and toll, had
fallen into deep sleep which Almost
approached unconsciousness.
Catalina got up noiselessly, scarce
daring to breathe, made her way to the
kitchen and climbed out through the
window which looked on to the Tagus.
1t was still dark and q star here and
there broke the gloom. Towards the
bed Of the Tagus no sound was to be
heard but the rushing of the river and
the moaning of the wind as it swept
through the scaffolding of the bridge Of
San Martin. ti
Catalina, before making her exit
through the window, had seized from
the smoldering embers on the hearth a
brand still burning. and noiselessly clos
ing the window after her she set out,
holding her breath even, lest sound
should escape her! Whittier was she
going? On what erraud was she boundp
Did she take the burning brand with
her to light her on her way amidst the
surrounding darknessP In spite of the
obscurity around her and the dangers
of the path, perilous even in the broad
glare OF day, along which she was has
under her cloak the light which alone
could show her the windings of the pre-
cipitous track she was traversing with
q speed marvellous in one so delicately
framed.
Catalina drew near to the buttress OF
the bridge, and could not repress cry
of horror. Perhaps it was that she found
herself on the very brink of the boiling
abyss! Or was it that in her hand, &C
customed onl to do good, she bore a
means Of destructionp Or it might
have been the awful peal of thunder
which Just at that moment sounded in
her ears; or did she think that they who
do not understand sacrifice for love.
might hold that crime had led her to
where she stoodP
Be that as it may. Catalina hesitated
not, but drawing her torch from under
her cloak, she set fire to the scaffolding
of the bridge. The resinous pine-wood
was speedily in blaze, and the flames,
famed by the wind. Tapped the timbers
with their fiery tongues and enveloped
the bridge with fearful rapidity.