The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1881-12-29
ON THE RAILWAY BRIDGE.


himself your sincere friend. Lucy Ames Is NOS
faithful to youl do not write this to you
for any base purpose /; for, since know % wen
YOUR generous and noble nature, cannot hesl-
tate when 500 that nature become the IanoI
cent dupe Of Yils dissinnlation. Nor have
been too hasty in communicating 70 you this
knowledge; only fear it is too late but rsst
assured that all have said is true, and can be
attested by one who has an undoupted persona
knowledge of all the facts. Arthur Wesley, the
zinging-nAster, is ysur too-fortunate rival
Yours, FA1Nn.
This was not the first intimation had
had of Lucy's Inconsistency. had seen
things with my own eyes that made mo
doubt her sincerity. For long time
the unwelcome suspicion had been prey
ing upon me, and this fatal letter had
come to bring conviction-stern. 1rrevo-
cable, hopeless conviction.
L did not doubt the truth Of it /; and
vet how it writhed my soul with torture
to think of it, to admit its truth. 1t did
not, it could not crush me; braVed 1t
to the last; 1 should have been less than
man to do otherwise. L reperused the
letter, calmly-no, not calmly-not in
differently, but sternly, as though 1t
were decreed of fate that 1 should not
only drain the bitter cup, but should
swallow the very dregs.
L
and gladly, oh, how gladly, would
have forgiven her imprudence To her,
I went to seek an interview. Lucy was
proud-too proud to be just to herself !;
vet she was generous and noble, In spite
of all her fickleness.
Obstinately convinced that she had
preferred another to me, 1 did not ask
or expect any explanations from her !; L
showed her, without any hesitation, the
letter 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
prove annoying to her. She bestowed
ON me a lock which shall never forget
"Do you believe this, Edward r she
asked.
"I do" 1 replied, without hesitation.
"What unimpeachable evidence p she
retorted, with the first impulse of pride.
al do not rely on the information con-
tanned in this letter." L said. 81 have
seen enough myself without asking any
persons advice or opinion"
She Immediately left the room, and
returned in few moments with pack
AGE of letters and a small box Of jewels,
NV former presents, saying gayly, as she
placed them in my hands:
"By these tokens, then, since 1t IL
your Will, absolve you"
In spite of the smile that played upon
hermouth, 1 thought could detect traces
of recent tears, hastily brushed away
from her cheeks.
In moment the thought flashed upor
my mind that she might, after all, bt
true. Impulsively was about to sPeal
to her, to ask her if it was not SO bu
what should 1 say2 1 had gone too far
and it was too late to retreat. But, a
the thought had come upon me like
flash. it vanished as it had come, leaving
no alternative but to pursue the cours'
I had adopted.
Farewell then " I said, with appar
ent indifference. "May your future hf
be ever lighted with the sunshine @
happiness
tThank you," she replied. az trus
no act of my own will ever bring m1ser
upon me"
Conscience, Miss Ames-oor
soience!" said.
"Will never reproach me, "she replied
"Heaven grant it said L "Ih
step you have taken may, In your opln
ion, be just, but let me assure you OIL
ers do not think so. We do not Away
see ourselves as OUTFITS 800 ltss
81 have done nothing, Mr.. WorthinG
ton to merit this" snid Lucy; "yo
are not only deceived, but impert1nen
} sir. and YOU cautiously avoid any que
lions that might lead to an explains
ton"
at ask no explanation" hurriodl
replied, and Immediately took nay d
rarture in no very amiAble mood, NJ
did I wish to humble myself sufficient
to ask her any questions that might,
she had suggested, lead TO satisfaction
explanation.
What victory pride had won 10
perfect and complete had been its ult
hate success on both sides
1 hurried from the door I turn'
my steps homeward again Instructive
l I took the usual course in returnn
, home (for Lucy lived nearly mile out
= town., and walked along, 80 busy WI
Z my thoughts IS to be utterly unconsoio
y of anything and everything els
3 There was = high railway bridge tn
Law between me and the town, Just VII
: enough for the lines, the middle
- which was planked over for the co
. venience of pedestrians, as there was
;, other bridge over the river for sol
y miles. Outside tho lines it was imPos
4 BILE to walk
y One of the plsnks, which was We
- thick and heavy, had been partly rsls
> for some purpose, and left IN that Pc
- ton. In endeavoring to pass 1t,
10 struck my foot against it, stumbled, al
10 in recovering myself. forced one
-. through the aperture, and, striking
- other foot with all the force required
~ regain nv equilibrium, replaced I
plank In such q manner as not only l
., NV foot protruding through the nsrr
- crack. but threw me on the line,
"a promised to present q difficulty In
- moving the plank.
I smiled to think how cur1ously
50 been intrapped, and stopped down
- remove the plank and free myself ir'
II so dangerous q position. The tas9
y not so easily performed as 1 had I'M
no. med. The plank was wedged IN,
Il such a manner that no effort OF m
"A could remove it. l strove with my
W. most power, but it was IN vain
could 1 e1tricste my foot, which '
lacersted and smarting with pam IN
close confinement.
on At firsr 1 did not consider the ext
ice of my peril, but 1 soon began to
ye, ceive the danger of my situation an
I'm shuddered with honor to think th'
IF, should be obliged to remain there
I'M be crushed to death by the next ira
for II was a cold day IN December, and
tai the beaded drops burst from every p
,rk A moment of frenzied delirium suoce
nd I'd. and when 1 rallied again found
md self living on the rail, my foot sd
re- prisoner, and no prospect OF delivery
-er, Hooked at my watch 1t was hall
ed. The express would 60 up at half-l
mi 5; and at half-past it would be d.
irst II was possible, nay probable, !
rly some one would pass by before 1t she
ing he too late. This way was nearer
nm, the town than by the bridge have n
be toned, though always regarded as Il
The dangerous on account Of Its nArrovn
out nom which there would be no Possi
tile ~ of escape in case tram should Q
tin in sight while passing over it Alre
use one person had been killed BY endea
r. inc to cross at q time when the train
try due and should be the second 70
esh ish there? How the thought tort
ows me. and once again l tugged at the
ike, sistin0 plank. With all my strengt
cry tried to withdraw my foot and leave
boot; but impossibleJ