The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1881-07-21

is over the brigde. And if he crosses
-or tGes to cross that-wen, you
know the rest"
And with 9 savage chucIde they
moved away.
Allie sat half stunned at the revela1
ton to which she had listened She
knew the whole vile, murderous plot
now. This was Mayne's vengeanoel
In q fash she saw her own way clear
Ily. She had brought this On John
-Ansleigh-she must ave his life
though she lose her own.
She staggered to her feet, and draw
ing her shawl closely about her, turned
away in the direction Of the bridge,
perhaps half mile distant from the
hotel. To be sure she did not even
know the road he had taken; but if
she could only cross the rotten struc-
ture she could then wait his coming on
the other side.
She reached the place at last. Gath
ering all her courage together, she
stepped upon the old bridge. It WAS
nearly dark now. but with an agon-
lied prayer for protection, she moved
onward. Even beneath her light
weight it tottered ard shook. She
could see, away down below, the black
angry water, with it's swift, awful cur
rent, swollen by recent rains. and
checked by driftwood; it wns u wild
SIGHT thero in the gathering gloom.
Onward she moqcd, holding her
breath, and with clasped hands and
dilated eyes watching the other side.
Thank GOD! she is over-safe at
last! She sank down on a moesy
atunp, and, crosching down, awaited
Johns coming.
And darksoss gathered and fell on
all things. She felt timid and afraid;
but she calmcd her fears as best she
might, and remained patiently at her
post. An hour passed. What if he I
we're not coming home tonight? The |
thought made her heart stand still.
But even then she heard away in the
distance the tramp of horses feet
coming ncarer-nearor. She arose
and stepped forward. The moon had
arisen now, and It's clear rays showed |
her plainly that It was really John.
She stepped into the road. She
forgot overything-all that had hap
pened that day, and raising her voice,
she cried wildly:
''John! Oh, John!"
DR.. Ansleigh checked his horse and
paused, irresolutely. His heart beat
tremulously; he could not credit his
own eyesightl
"Allie, my GodI" he gasped, "what
is the matter"
He sprang from his horso and il s.
moment more she was in his arms, her
head on his breast, while she sobbed |
out the whole story. John listened |
with a new light in his eyes, his heart
full Of happiness. And while they
stood there, alone N the midnight, |
with a great rush and .roar the old |
bridge went down. John shuddered |
and drew Allie closer to aim, while |
q thankful prayer went-up to heaven. |
"My darling" he muttered, softly, !
''you have saved my life"
At first the problem Of how they
we're to cross the river seemed toe dif-
fcult to be solved; bat after while
John found an old b ,at with couple
of rough ears which had been left
there and forgotten; and the way be-
came clear at onee. Tying his horse
to great tree-to remain until he
could send for it, on the morrow, when
the tide would be out ami the beach
road passa ble-John assisted Allie
into the old boat, and they made the
passage in safety.
Home in Mrs. Ausleigh's cozy par
lor, where the mother was anxiously
awaiting her sons return (she had not
missed Allie, bat supposed she WAS
safely in her own room), John told
her the whole story And when he
had finished he laid his hand upon
Allies.
You risked your own life" he eaid,
has voice al in a tgembIe, "to save
mine. Why did you do it, AlGe?"
And Allie answered bravely-their
quarrel thing OF the past-and for
getting the words she had said that
very morning:
Because I love you, John"
Schemes to Punish Gui.eau.