Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1880-06-04
4 Legend Of Toledo, Spain.

l
| 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 q 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 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 t1tterance to bis
name.
"Loufs!"
"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.
"Wby are you so sad, Louis2 What is
the meaning of this sorrow that seems to
darkcn all your life2 Am l the causes
Do you no longer love me9"
III love you dearer than life"
She gave little sigh of pleasure and
relief.
IL was afraid some stately dame had
stolen your heart away from poor Jua-
nita."
''1mpossible: have no heart. It is IN
your keeping"
THAT'S pretty compliment, but it is
not true; for If I had your heart I could
read In it the secret cause which has con-
verified my gay. lover into a 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"
80, 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 I only
became conscious of it after all posslbil-
ity Of correcting it was gone. The bridge
now is incased in 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
hideous ruin, fit symbol of my folly and
disgrace"
Juanita was stunned 10y this unexpect-
ed revelation. The vague fear inspired
by her lovers changed demeanor had de-
termined her question, but she had not
dreamed of q ruin 80 near and 80 COM
plete. In a 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 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.
| "How cruel I have been to reproach
your sadness! How little did l think
it had so terrible cause! But tell me,
Louis,can you devise no remedys"
None"
"Nothing 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, I will go and pray to Our Lady
70, her help and guidance: I feel sure
that this evil will be averted
There was no foundation for her hope,
and yet it comforted him. y =
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 !; o-morrow.
The night was stormy; the wind and rain
had swollen the river into a 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 famea His heart stood
still a. dim white figure, bearing IN
its hand q burning torch, passed over the
bridge. A light was thrown over one OF
the parapets. As the figure gllded over
the doomed bridge, its progress was
marked by the sprlnging up OF lurid
flames. Then the white and mystic fig.
ure vanished from sight, and-the bridge
was on fire. sssss 10
| The timber-work burned iercely; the
wind famed the flames into fury, and the
rain. instead of quenchlng, seemed to
lstimulate its power. Then as the fire be.
gan to flood the sky with its lurid light
tho city awoke. The great alarm bel
was rung, and hundreds Iof anxious citl.
zens threnged tie rivers bank, anxiou.
to help and save. It WASH vain. Amene
the latest arrivals were the architect and
archbishop.
ssThis is sad end Of your work, MY
son" said the ecclesiastic, abut be MOI
least down. The bridge shall be rebuilt
and if in the couse Of the erection Of thii
one you have found any thing that could
be improved, the new one shall be ever
more magnificent than We had purposed
this TO he = szs
As the architect was gratefully &C
knowleiging the archbishops generosity
i he saw JaunitA With her father an,,ynach