Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-09-11
ON THE BRIDGE:
aDr, Jasper 1ngram's Devotion.
BY FRANK COSTI0IN.
Written for the INTELLI0ENcER.
CHAPTER III.

Inc Gay dragged on, ana towards Its
close Ruth, weighed down by the burden
laid upon her, slowly wandered down to
the Bridge. She knew not why, but an
irresistible impulse seemed to draw her
towards the fatal spot. g., Maybe Jasper
would come that way-it was tho shortest
path from the village.
The evening was damp and cold.
White mist clung low over the earth
like the face-cloth to the dead,
and tho clematis boughs, waited
to and fro by the moaning wind, seem.
cd white-armed spectres, Turing her back
from the place. She could not look to-
ward the cliffs, and with low moan of
anguish turned away and looked down the
pathway anxiOusly. Soon Jasper appeared,
utterable misery struck her soul with ter
ror, and she clung to him in silent
agony.
my poor child, why did you come
here 90 There was a depth of plying
tenderness and sorrow in his tones that
fell on her heart like a death kncll
Jasper, Jasper, there is no hope
can see 10 way can be spared this cruel
agony"
'sThcrc is but one way. Ny darling, my
darling. How can l give you up-vou
who are my own, my promised wiie?'
A black dread swept over her soul as ::
faint glimmer of his meaning broke upon
her. Holding her in his arms Jasper con-
tinued.
When said l was ready to give up
life. hope and all for him, little dream
cd how soon tho sacrifice would he re-
quired; how soon would be called upon
to- yield all claim to wife, hope and love !;
for in yielding you, my precious one, put
from ME all that makes life sweet
''Jaspar, for Gods holy love, tell me
what these mad words mean. What have
you heardi' What has happcned?" she
walled.
"How can l tell you here ." he said,
hOarseIy. Here, where few short days
ago the whole sunshine of life seemed
centred. Como to Morccombc; in his
home will try to be calm, meet my doom
and let you be the arbitrator of my fate.''
She sank upon the broad rustic seat
near, and seeing how cruel tho suspense
was to her, Jasper knclt at her feet, and
said in broken tones
Ruth, | went at once to A,:t!is and
Cuthberr.. Rogers lawyers, and found
them filled with hope. What told them
has rendered them almost dcspairing. We
have thought of, discussed every plan
that might possibly save him and shield
y"u, hut. oh my darling, in vain. In two
days he trial commences. You will bc
made to appear unless-unlcss-Oh! God,
how can tell You, knowing which alter
native You will choose unless you be-
como Roger Fcnwick's wife before the
trial commonccs.'
His voice 1T tho last words sank into
whi 'pcr, while great drops of anguish
werc beaded on his brow rs he gazed up
in her frightened eyes.
She buried Ler face in her hands to shut
ont from his eyes her SOULS torture and
to hide the cruel, garisl liylt of day,
How could she give up her love, her
hopes, and make her life living lie :-bc
como a murle,cr's wife? Yet she would
never know another moment of peace, Joy
or rest, if through her Roger Fenwick,
whom she loved as brothers arc even sell
dom loved, met a iclon's doom. Could
she bc guilty of such base ingrltitude rs
to forsake him, though burtlened with
gull, in his misery, or see his proud
mothers head bant with shame and griof
The agony Of years of pain was cOncen-
tratcd in these brief moments. When she
raised her face it was so scared and
scanned by grief that Jasper scarce knew
her.
"Jaspcr, help me to decide; oh help
mo. l am SD weak" She clasped her
arms about his neck and cluns to him,
"Help you, my own! Pronounce the
sentence that condemns mo to perpetual
misery, shuts out from life all sunshine,
and leaves me to wander forever amid
gloom and shadow. Yet wherever turn
] SEQ but gloom and misery. My loved
one, in after years, if We left hiI 20 his
fate, there would bo for US naught but re-
morse. and yet can 1 give you to a muir
derer? See his blood stained hands hold
yours? Oh God teach us Thy Divine
s,lf-abnesatiOn, and to drink of this bit
tsr cha'ice that cannot be pnt aside.''
AS he held the pale. faintinS girl to his
heart, and she listened to the prayer, she
knew it was the last time she would ever
rest upon his faithful breast.
Seeing tho bitter warfare that was wag-
ing within, she suddenly grew calm, and
withdrawing from his clasp shc sat with
bent head and ciaspcd arms, and Jasper
knew she prayed rs only those pray, into
whose life falls the bitterness of deaths
separation without the mercy Of deaths
oblivion.
a few seconds passed and tho girl arose
still.
"God pity us, Jasper" at length she
said IN u low tone, as she drew his cn-
gagemcnt ring from her hand, and touch
ing it to her lips revcrently-holy as VIC
press the brow Of the loved tiead-shc laid
the cleaning jewel in his outstretchcd
palm. The sacrifice was made. Hence
forth they were to take separate paths in
life ; and tho man, suffering rs only a
loving, unsclfish heart can suffer, felt it
was worse for her than even himself. He
could 90 forth in the world, hide his hurt
and seek oblivion in its battle roar. While
shea moan broke from him he stag
gered and leaned against the railing for |
support. Ruth gently laid her hand on
his shoulder and said softly:
Don't, Jasper. We have loved each |
other SO fondly ; and though henccfcrth |
VIC must pray to forget tho tone Of each |
others voice, to crush out that love which |
was to us SO beautiful. God, who has re-
qnired this sacrifice, will give us strength |
10 bear this cross. Forget me tho |
words broke, a great sob between them
:" life will yet be made bright for you,
while I"-she turned her face away-I
then come"
God grant rest may then como "-ho
her prayer, as he drew her slen-
der hands in his. Rssigning you, my
darling, 1 blot out my own life's happi.
ness-taking in its place one of bitterness
aud gall, rendered sweet only in the
thought Of sacrifice
For q moment they stood with clasped
hands and then Jasper kissed the cold.
pale fin. ers that lay within his strong