Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-27
ON THE RAILROAD BRIDGE.
The Story Of Startling Adventure.

ON THE RAILROAD BRIDGE.
The Story Of a Startling Adventure.
"a letter for you, STRIP
i broke the seal with real astonishment:
"MK. EDWARD WoRTHINdToN-St:-P PARDON
these intrusive lines, and rest assured that they
are from one who will ever be proud 10 eau
himself your sincere friend. Lucy Ames Is noI
faithful to youi i do not write this 10 you IOI
any base purpose; for since know SO wei your
generous and noble nature, cannot hesitate
when see that nature become the innocent
dupe Of vile discrimination. Nor nave l Deen
too basty In communicating to you this knowl-
edge; only fear 1t Is too late but rest assured
that all have said is true, and can be attested
by one who has an undoubted personal knowl-
edge of all the facts. Arthur wesley, the sing
ing master, Is your too fortunate rival Yours,
"a FRIEND"
This was not the first intimation ] had Of
Eucys INCONSISTENCY. had seen things with my
0wn eyes that made me doubt her sincerity. For
q long time the unwelcome suspicion had been
preying upon me- and this fatal letter had come
TO bring convtction-Stern, trrevocable, hopeless
conviction.
did not doubt the truth Of it; and yet how it
writhed my soul with torture to think of 1t, to
admit its truth. 1t did not, 1t could not crush
me; braved 1t to the last; | should have been
letter. calmly-no. not calmly-not Indifferent
ly 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 loved the wayward girl, and gladly,
oh, how gladly, would l have forgiven her i'm
prudence! To her first Of all 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 fickleneSS.
Obstinately convinced that she had preferred
another to me, did not ask or expect any ex-
plantations from her; showed her, without any
hesitation, the letter I had just received. and
requested her to return me such letters as had
previously written to her, and any other little
keepsake which might, in future, only prove
RI no hpgtnWp6
which shall never forget.
"Do you believe this, Edward?" she asked.
lido" replied without hesitation:
"What unimpeachable evidence!" she retort-
ed, with the first impulse OF pride.
Il do not rely on the information contained
In this letter." said. 81 have seen enough my
self without asking any persons advice or opln-
She Immediately left the room and returned
In few moments with package OF letters ana
a small box of jewels, my former presents, say
ing gayly, as she placed them in my hands:
"By these tokens, then, since it is your Will,
abSolve you"
In spite Of the smile that played upon her
mouth, thought could detect traces OF re-
cheeks
In moment the thought flashed upon my
mind that she might, after all, be true. I'm
pulsively was about to speak to her, to ask
her II it was not so; but what should say? l
had gone too far, and it was too late to re Ieat.
But, as the thought had come upon me like
w.,
alternative but to pursue the course l had
ADDICTED segte dvs,, tDsn,n said with annsrent in
lighted with the sunshine Of happiness
''Thank you," she replied. Il trust no act
OF my own Will ever bring misery upon me-"
conscience. Miss Ames-conscience!" l said.
'Win never reproach me" she replied.
"Heaven grant it" said l.. THE step you
have taken may, in your opinion, be just, but
let me assure you that others do not think so.
We do not always see ourselves as Others see
US"
Il have done nothing, Mr.. Worthington, to
merit this said Lucy; you are not only de-
ceived, but impertinent, sir; and you cautiously
avoid any questions that might lead to an cx
PLANTATION -"
IL ask no explanation hurrledly replied,
and Immediately took my departure in no very
amiable mood, nor did wish to humble myself
sufficiently to ask her any questions that might,
as she had suggested, lead TO satisfactory ex-
PLANTATION.
What victory pride had won! How perfect
and complete had been its ultimate success on
both S1deSl
hurried from the door as turned my steps
homeward again. Instinctiyely l took the
usual course in returning home {for Lucy lived
nearly mile out OF town,), and walked along,
SO busy with my thoughts as to be utterly un-
conscious OF any thing and every thing else.
There was high railroad bridge that lay be-
tween me and the town, Just wide enough for
the lines, the middle OF which was planked
over for the convenience OF pedestrians, as
there was no other bridge over the river for
some miles. Outside the lines it was impoSsi-
BILE to walk
One of the planks, which was very thick and
heavy, had been partly raised for some purpose,
and LEFT in that position. In endeavoring to
pass it, struck my foot against it, stumbled,
and. in recovering myself, forced one leg
through the aperture, and striking my other
loot Win all .ne force required to regain my
ner as not only left my foot protruding thro Ugh
the narrow crack, but threw me on the 1iue ana
promised to present difficulty in removing tue
plank.
/ smiled to think how curiously had been
entrapped, and stopped down TO remove the
plank and free myself from so dangerous posi-
ton. The task was not so easily performe1 as
] had imagined. The plank was wedged in in
such manner that 10 effort OF mine could re-
move 1t. / strove with my utmost power, but
1t was In vain: nor could extricate my foot,
which was lacerated and Smarting with pain in
1 is close confinement.
At first 1 did not consider the extent of my
peril, but | soon began 70 perceive the danger
Of my situation; and shuddered with horror to
think that l should be obliged to remain there
and be crushed to death by the next train. IL
was cold day in December, and yet the beaded
frenzied delirium succeeded, and when rallied
again found myself lying on the rail, my foot
still a prisoner, and no prospect OF delivery.
l looked at my watch; IL was just half past
three. The express would go up at half past
i've; and at half-pa four 1t would be dark.
1t was possible, nay probable, that some one
would pass by before itShould be too late. This
way was nearer TO the town than by the bridge
have mentioned. though always regarded as
more dangerous on account OF its narrowneSS
from which there would be no possibility OF
escape in case train should come in sight
while passing over It, Already one person had
been killed by endeavoring To cross at a time
when the train was due; and should / be the
second to perish there? How the thought tor
tured me! and once again l rugged at the re-
sisting plank. With all my strength tried to
withdraw my foot and leave the boot, but i'm
possible!
1t was four o'cloek-in half an hour It would
b daIk-another hour, and death would be GER
tain. i shouted for aid, but no habitation was
within half mile, and no answer was returned
to my cries. Again and again Shrieked. while
the deSpalring echoes reYerberated through the
distant wood, as though they would mock me
in my misery. And then, with all the accumu-
lated strength OF madness, l wTenched the
plank, but could not move it from its place.
Surely IL could not be possible that / should be
obliged TO sit there and be crushed to DEATH
when human aid was so near. Had been in
some Isolated forest, some depth OF country
distant from town or cottage, my doom might
have been more certain. Once again shreked
with agonizing fury; wildly. desperately the
sound OF my voice rung on the chilling air.
while nothing but the knocking echoes made re-
ply.
The sun had set, and the darkness was gath
ertng fast over the valley below. Already the
last reddening glow or sunshine was cleaning
on the tops OF the forest trees. My irreyocable
destiny became more and more apparent.
Harkl II is the train, No, no! l stretched
forward and listened with GREATNESS eagerneSs
There was not a sound to break the silence