The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-07-02
THE LADY,s BRIDGE.

luE AADI>O DnAUUEs
'eThe archbishop has determined to re-
build the bridge"
ssThe news is too good to be true.'
tsIt is true, for I 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 fragment of conversation
in the streets of Toledo, in the year 1890.
The ancient bridge, broken down by the
foods of 1908, and afterward rebuilt, was
now to be restored with great magnif-
cence. The architect was one whose
fame had extended far and wide, but this
promised to be the crowning achievement
of his art.
.sSpare not, - said the archbishop, "but
let the bridge be worthy of the town, of
its artist and of its founder. Let it typ
ify my muniicence, thy genius, and the
strength and beauty of the city"
"It 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
watching the gradual realization in con-
crete form of his design. At first he was
/ bIithe and cheerful, animating the men
with his own spirit, and full of devices
for smoothing away all the many difficult
| ties that arise to impede such under
takings; but after a while his manner
changed, and 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 sorrowfnl thought, taking no heed of
| dream. A soft hand was placed on his
shoulder, low, shy voice gave gentle
1 utterance to his name.
''Louisp'
s'Juanita!'
1t 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.
ssWhy are you so sad, Louis?" What
| is the meaning of this sorrow that seems
to darken all your life? Am the cause?
Do you no longer love me?"
/ "I love you dearer than life"
She gave little sigh OF pleasure and
relief
ST was afraid some stately dame had
stolen your heart away from poor
! Juanita."
/ Impossible. have no heart. It is
in your keeping"
'sThat's pretty compliment, but it is
not true; for if had your heart could
| read in it the secret cause which has con-
verted my gay lover into moody, mel
ancholy man."
81 will tell you the cause, Juanita, and
my confidence will show you how much
I love you, for it places my life and
honor in your hands. Both, alas! will
soon be blasted.
.Oh, say not SO, Louis. / know you
are incapable of crime, and everything
| else can be remedied."
| "Find me remedy for this. In the
plans for the construction of the bridge
| I have made fatal oversight. The mis-
| take is known only to myself, and only
became conscious of it after all possibil-
| ity of correcting was gone. The bridge
| is now encased in network of scaffold-
| ing, snoring and supports of every kind;
but the moment these are cleared away
the center of the structure will fall in
the river, ,7and that which was to have
been the monument of my skill will be
hideous ruin, fit symbol of my folly
and disgrace"
Juanita was stunned by this unex-
spired by her lovers changed demeanor
had determined her question, but she
had not dreamed of a ruin so near and SO
complete. In g moment she saw fade
from view all the happiness of the future
that had been living in her day-dreams
and giving a roseate hue to the winding
horizon of womanhood. The glowing
color of life changed before her eyes into
the blackness of death and despair.
Then, with the -woman's instinct that
seeks to comfort others, regardless of her
own anguish, she sought to console him.
ssHow cruel have been to reproach
your sadness! How little did / think I
had SO terrible cause! But tell me,
Louis, can you devise no remedy?
"None."
Nothing but taking down the bridge
and rebuilding it?"
Nothing else 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 comforted him.
It was the night before the day fixed
/ I
Tomorrow the archbishop will pro-
nounce his solemn blessing on the work;
tomorrow 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 tQsrent, and Louis, as he tossed
restlessly upon his bed, almost prayed
that its force might sweep away the en-
tire structure. It would be less dis
grace 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 naturally sought
the direction of the great bridge, but
there was nothing to be seen but black
ness. Stay What was that wandering
fame? His heart stood still as dim
white figure, bearing in its hand burn
ing torch, passed over the bridge. A
light was thrown over one of the para
pets. As the figure glided over the
doomed bridge, its progress was marked
by the springing up of lurid flames.