Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-11-25


was short a tremor appeared in her
hands and knees Instead Of her usual
erect carriage, there was a percepti-
bic leaning forward.
When she had made but a dozen
steps she stopped, aud appeared in
doubt she then apparently made an
eitore to walk backward, but was
evidently afraid to undertake id. She
stopped again, mustered her courage.
threw quick glance at G0lson. aud
recommended her dangerous ionr,
ney. The rope trembled and swayed
under her feet, and in this way
c'ught swinging motion that tries
the nerves Of the most experienced
bal4ncers.
When she had reached the middle
it was impossible to proceed. She
might have crossed safely, but the
fire on our side was exhausted. She
had walked more slowly than usual,
and the fire was consumed too soon.
and size could not see the rope dis
tinctly enough She stood still for
several seconds. The light behind
her continued to burn, but it was of
no assistance to her, aud immediate.
ly aflerward it was also exhausted.
We could distinctly see the poor
frightened girl by the light from be-
low, but her face was obscured. The
crowd sent up Kisses and groans.
The rope walker attempted to take
another step; she succeeded; she tried
a second and failed. Her foot sud-
denly slipped but she was active and
alert, and caught upon her knee.
Her fright increased, and in the ter
rible excitement Of the moment she
dropped the pole. 1t struck the rope,
balanced moment, and slipped off
upon the crowd below. There was a
great scattering, and the crowd re-
allied that the young girl was falling. |
Every sound was hushed The poor
child steadied herself wildly and in |
stinctiyely moment with her arms |
as she knelt upon the rope, and then
fell.
Golson's appearance was painful
and pitable to see. Great cords stood
out upon his face, which was over
spread by an agony of CHASTITY pallor.
His muscles swelled with ridges and
knots, and his hands assumed the
of an eagles claws. He
gazed at the rope where the girl had
stood moment ago. She had caught
by the right hand, and hung sus-
pended over the cobbles In another
moment she grasped the rope with
the other hand, and hung perfectly
quiet.
Golson waited but a few seconds,
when he saw the fright had taken
The strength out from her arms, so
that she could not climb upon the
rope. He dashed off his hat aud
yrasped the rope with both hands,
md throw one leg across it. He
,rawled along carefully, that the
might not cause the girl to
ose her hold. The crowd watched
lim in breathless silence. The rope
swung lower under the double
weight, and the fastening creaked
md groaned.
Hold tight, my child" we could
lear him say to the fainting girl.
Hold on, for Gods sake, and / viii
ave you"
She raised her head, and looked at I
i'm for a moment and then dropped
t again between her arms. He APP
roached her slowly and painfully, l.
or he WAS a stranger to the situa- !
ion, and was afraid Of shaking her
Fl. At length he reached her. lie
something to her, and she i,
)oked him full in the face. He al
owed hisright knee to remain across L
he rope, ard threw his right hand a
round underneath to secure "A firm
old, and passed his left arm around
he girls waist. The strength of
TX men was in the supple limbs and L
lean cut muscles. He drew her to- !
'ard him. She released her hold, :,
er head dropped, and she tainted
"Play out at the college endIn lie
iouted. 4
His feet were in that direction. 1t :
art,ss.aS fart- IF avs loA | -