Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-09-09

t,<in.a:ra filtelliqcncct.
SATURDAY EVENING" SEPT. 9. leB2.
ON THE BRIDGE; L9~4 90.
or, Jasper lngrsm1 Devotion.
49,. ,.rsfrf..r
HY YEANK CosTIGIN. -...
wIitten for the INrkLLIsEScER. .....,: g
Wearily passed the hours to Ruth, as
she lay awake gazing cut on tho night,
vaiuly arguing with herself that her
senses had deceived her. Hard was the
task to convince herself that the dread
evening WAS q reality: yet, il vas ever be.
before her-the ruined bridge, the over
hanging cliffs, the stream once 80 bright,
but now dark and blood-stained. One
fearful moment had robbed the past Of its
tender l0veliness, made it . hideous
mockery and rendered the future horrid
inrubls. a.... = ..... %, ..r ..isa-. p.
Signing fer, yet drcsding the coming Of
the morning ligh', the weary vigil passed,
aud tho day brought no SOlaCe. She endeav-
Med to avoid meeting her guardian, and
be. finding she shrank from him, in proud
bitterness held aloOf, almost in his heart
cursiDg the hour that adverse fate had
made him snatch from ruin Jasper In
gram. 4
Several days drcw their lengthcning
chain along and brought no change to
Ruth Armsted's life. Pity for her guar
dian. in whose stern, proud face, she
could read no change, no remOrbe, no fear,
stole within hor heart, and she trembled to
hear strange step ring in the hall, dread
ing 10 seo anyone near the mansion. Even
.asper's coming she looked forward to
with fear, yet longing for his presence.
Her secret surrow was sappiDg her very
life. while conscience almost accused her
Of being partner in the black deed she had
witnessed.
The absence OF Mr.. Ord, who was a
man Of considerable note, but of rather
dissipated habits, had been a wonder in
the village, but whom on the fourth day
after his disappearance, his lat was found
washed ashore not very far from the
bridge the excitement vas exceedingly
great. ..-.
Several had las: seen him with Mr.. Fem
wick on the cliff aud a visit to the spot
revealed the fact that the grass and
shrubs were trampled and broken as if
there had been severe struggle, while
Fenwick's cane snapped in two was found
close by.
Every fact elected seemed but another
link in the strong chain of circumstantial
evidence against Fenwick. His WELL
known enmity to Ord, their being last
seen together, and the laborer who had
met Ruth as she turned her steps home-
ward, added his mOdicum to the general
fund Of gossip, by dtscanting upon her
fo:rOr.slriken and paled visage.
Little dreamed the stern, proud lawyer,
rs he sat in his Office, buried amid his
books and papers, Of the storm that was
about to bust, and when the officers q
the law entered, his quiet and astonished
look of inquiry SO discOrcsrted them, that
it was some moments before they could
make known their errand.
Never did man look less like criminal
than Roger Fenwick, as drawing his
proud form to its full height, and with
scorn stamped on every feature, he lis
tened to their communication. His ex.
animation was brief, he admitted having
had a difficulty with Ord, who, being in.
tOxicated, had followed him in his evening
stroll, and that in the struggle he had
broken bis cane, but stated he had lef,
OIA SIauuluts OI1 Cstuh "a tuc StIci:D,
and returned home.
While the whole village was in one oi
those spasms Of "Don't You know 20 81
told you Sc" did you ever?'' that at
tack rustic population when An unex
quietly in the parlor at MOrecombe trying
to recall some OF the light that seemed tO
him in the last few days to have fled from
Ruth q smile.
care you i'll, Ruth - he asked seeing
how pale aud distrait she was, as gazing
anxiously out of the window, she seemed
unconscious Of his presence.
Ill" she repeated with a little start.
making an effort to seem her usual self.
"Wby do you ask, dear Jasper"
"Only, you look more like a snow
statue than a being Of earthly guile, and
as if it was an effort to talk or to be talked
to-
There was tone Of discomfort in his
words, and a moody look gathered on his
handsome face. Her lips guivered.
Forgive me-" she said softly, a. il
trying to suppress some emotion. Try
to bear with my capricious moods you
have yet to lean what fanciful little be.
ing ! am. l feel nervous and sad to-day,
and cannot help thinking that some dark
cloud will overshadow our love. And
she added, est. Cuthbert's bel! rang its
dirg&.'
"Poor little Ruth had no IDEA YOU
yero such fanciiul little fairy Did
Roger cultivate this vein Of mysticism,
that seems to flow through your sunny
nature, my pet ?" as with almost woman.
Iy tenderness he caressed her, trying to
tighten her sad depression.
Suddenly nameless fear seized him
Ruth, he asked "do you repent your
promise to me %
there the great love she bore in her re
proachful glance.
''Ob, Jasper why do you think so?
know l seem cold and careless to day
but, she continued with little shudder
l." somehow hear those bells ever tolling.
Their sad sound will not leave mc.''
"People have no right to encourage
such heathenish CUSTOM" said the young
man, savagely. "In no other place but
this Ultima Thule would it be tolerated.
The ringers ought to be strangled.''
And fancies like mine should also be,
Isuppose," she said jestingly.
"Yes, darling, if they are going to make
you wretched and i'll. Put aside such sad
thoughts, love. Do not let them wind
their dark Onnens among the bright cords
of our love. Come, little one, and &C.
knowledge that part Of this morning 8
gloom is owing to the fact that intend to
ask Roger this morning to transfer a Ger.
tain troublesome little charge OF his to my
keeping"
ssPOOr Rogern she said SADLY az If not