The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-03-25

Is cenfcr'd in myself.
Then for this blessed year of grace
That bounteous Fate bestowS,
I'm in the market. ladies dear:
N. D. Picaruns.
ON THE RAILWAY BRIDGE.
The Story ola startling Adventure.
ga letter for you, sir!'
broke the seal with real astonish-
ment.
MIR. EDWARD WoRrHrNGroN-Sr /:
Pardon these intrusive lines, and rest
assured that they are from one who will
ever be proud to call himself your sim
cere friend. Lucy Ames is not faithful
to you! do not write this to you for
any base purpose; for since know so
well your generous and noble nature,
can not hesitate when see that nature
become the innocent dupe of vile dis
stimulation. Nor have been too hasty
in communicating to you this knowl-
edge; l only fear it is too late; but res.
assured that all have said is true, and
can be attested by one who has an I'M
doubted personal knowledge of all the
facts. Arthur Wesley. the singing
master. is your too fortunate rival.
Yours, A FRIEND"
This was not the first intimation had
had of Lucy's Inconsistency. l had seen
things with my own eyes that made me
doubt her sincerity. For long time
the unwelcome suspicion had been prey
ing upon me, and this fatal letter had
come to bring c"nviction-stern, irrev-
ocable, hopeless conviction.
did not doubt the truth of it; and
yet how it writhed my soul with torture
TO think of it. to admit its truth. 1t did
not, it could not, crush me; braved it
to the last; should have been less than
man to do otherwise. l reperused the
letter, calmly-no, not calmly--not in
differently, but sternly, as though it
were decreed of fate that should not
only dram the bitter cup, but should
swallow the very dregs.
And yet l loved the maynard girl,
and gladly. oh. how gladly, would
have forgiven her imprudence! Toher,
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 hckleness.
Obstinately convinced that she had
preferred another to me, did not ask
or expect any explanations from her; I
showed her, without any hesitation,
the letter l had Just received, and re-
quested her to return me such letters
as had previously written to her, and
any other little keepsakes which might,
in future, prove only annoying to her.
She bestowed on me q look which 1
shall never forget.
do you believe this, Edward?' she
asked.
~ do" replied. without hesitation.
"What unimpeachable evidence
she retOrted, with the first impulse of
pride.
II do not rely on the information
contained in this lettcr," said. IL
have seen enough myself without ask
ing any persons advice or opinion"
She Immediately left the room. and
returned in few moments with q pack
age OF letters and small box of Jewels,
my former presents, saying, gayly. as
she placed them in my hands:
"By these tokens, then, since it is
your will, l absolve you"
In spite of the smile that played upon
her mouth, l thought I could detect
away from her cheeks.
In moment the thought flashed upon
my mind that she might, after all, be
true. lmpulsively was about to speak
to her, to ask her if it were not so; but
what should say? had gone too far,
and it was too late to retreat. But, as
the thought had come upon me like
flash, it vanished as it had come, leav-
ing no alternative but to pursue the
course had adopted.
Farewell. then" said. with appar-
emit indifference. "May your future life
be ever lighted with the sunshine of
happiness"
no act of my own will ever bring mis-
cry upon me-"
''Conscience, Miss Ames
science!" said.
"Will never reproach me-" she re-
piled.
Heaven grant itr' said l. 1.-THE
step you have taken may, in your opin-
ion, be just, but let ME assure you that
others do not think SO. We do not
always see ourselves as others see u.s."
IL have done nothing, Mr.. Worthing-
ton, to merit this" said Lucy; ''you are
not only deceived, but impertinent. sir;
and you cautiously avoid any questions
that may lead to an explanation"
II ask no explanation" hurriedly
replied, and Immediately took my de-
parture in no very amiable mood, nor
did l wish to humble myself sufficiently
TO ask her any questions that might, a.
she had suggested, lead to q satisfactory
explanation:
What victory pride had won! How
perfect and complete had been its ulti-
mate success on both sides!
hurried from the door as I turned
my steps. homeward again. Instinct
lively took the usual course in return
ing home (for Lucy lived nearly a mile
out of town.. and walked along. SO
busy with my thoughts as to be utterly
unconscious of anything and every.
thing else. There was high railway
bridge that lay between me and the
town. just wide enough for the lines,
the middle of which was planked over
Tor the convenience of pedestrians. as
there was no other bridge over the
river for some miles. Outside the lines
1t was impossible 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. I struck my foot against it, STUN
bled. and in recovering myself forced
one leg through the aperture, and,
striking my other foot with all the
force required to regain my equilibrium,
replaced the plank In such manner a.
not only left my foot protruding
through the narrow crack, but threw
me on the line and promised to pre-
sent difficulty in removing the plank.
smiled to think how curiously ! had