Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-09-14
crosses or tries to cross that-well you know

crosses or tries to cross that-well you know
the rest.''
And, with a savage chuckle, they moved
away. ,...
which she had listened. She knew the whole
vile, murderous plot now. This was Book
hammers vengeance
In a fash she saw her own way clearly.
She had brought this on William White-she
must save his life though she lose her own.
She staggered to her feet, and, drawing her
shawl about her, turned away in the direction
of the old 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 structure, she could then
await his coming on the other side. -,
She reached the place at last. Gathering all
her courage together, she stepped on the old
bridge. It was nearly dark now, but, with an
agonized prayer for protection, she moved
onward.
Even beneath her light weight it tottered
and shook. She could see, away down below,
the black, angry water with its swift, awful
current, swollen by recent rains, and choked
by driftwood. It was wild sight, there IN
the gathering gloom.
Onward she moved, 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 mossy stump, and, croucnng
down, awaited Williams coming. -,
And darkness gathered and fell over all
things. She felt timid and afraid; but she
calmed her fears as best she might, ana re-
mained patiently at her post.
An hour passed. What if he were not
coming that night? The thought made her
heart stand still
But even then she heard, away in the dis
tance, the tramp of horses feet, coming
nearer, nearer. She arose and stepped Tor
ward. The moon had risen now, and its clear
rays showed her plainly that the horseman
was really William.
She stepped into the road she forgot every
thing-all that had happened that day-and,
raising her voice, she cried, wildly:
"William-oh, William!"
William checked his horse, and paused
irresolutely. His heart beat tumultuously !;
he could not credit his own eyesight.
''Lottie-you here ~ he gasped "What IS
the matter? ?''
He sprang from his horse, and in a moment
moressle was in his arms, her head on his
breast, while she sobbed out the whole story.
He listened, with new light in his eyes.
his heart full of happiness. And while they
stood alone in the midnight, withSa great
rush and roar the old bridge went down.
William shuddered, and drew Lottie closer
to him, while thankful prayer went up to
heaven.
'sMy darling" he uttered softly, ''you have
saved my life!'
And, after tying the horse to tree, to re-
main until he could send after it on the
morrow, when the tide would be out and the
beach road passable, William assisted Lottie
into a boat found near by, and they made
the passage in safety. &c.,.
Home in Mrs. Whites cozy parlor, where
the mother was anxiously awaiting her sons
return (she had not missed Lottie, but sup
posed that she was safe in her own room,
William told her the whole story. And when
he finished he laid his hand upon Lottie's.
s'You risked your own life," he said, his
voice all a-tremble, ''to save mine "Why
did you do it, Lottie 20
And Lottie answered, bravely-their quar-
rel a thing of the past:
s'BecauseI love you, William ~
The next day Bookhammer was arrested
and convicted on Lottie's evidence, and SEN
fenced to several years in prison.
William and Lottie were afterward mar
ried, and are now living happily together.