The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-12-27


A lonnger or two remained in the
warmth OF the otherwise chccrless
office. The landlord himself had
been across to take in any traveller
who might halt on his way, and
was even now returning with ono,
little old man, ut whose qucrulons
voice Mcclure started and buried his
face in country newspaper.
"A nice--a nice set OF folks, not TO
have sent me the carriage!' complained
the newly-arrived. "A nice, careless,
neglectful set.'
His face, thin and clean-shaven, gave
less token Of age than his vocal quaycr.
His bright eyes, skimming the room,
saw only the back Of Roberts head.
but they were not expecting you to-
night, Mr.. Claiming" the landlord
pleaded.
"What do You know about it," was
the sharp rejoinder.
"Tll give You good room for the
| night, Mr.. Charming
you'll give mo team to drive out.
A team can drive myself and send in
tomorrow.
1t ended in his getting the identical
horse that Robert had driven earlier in
the evening. And Robert, with face
still hidden in tho newspaper, chucklel
audibly. The old scoundrcl woald
find it rare fun holding tho skitt:sh
beast out there on the lonely road l,e
You'd the railroad crossing. The Old
scoundrel who had cheated and lohhcl
him, and Int for whom he might stand
tonight by tho side If her hc loved.
sweet Clarice.
He reioiced at the jingle of the h Is
Us the old man drove away.
He returned to his room and found /.
very coy. He wondered ii Rowland
Claiming would come to any grief.
No, such villains always escaped. Yet
il the old man be injured or meet
his death ont there how shocked they
would all he---even Clarice!
| He started nervously. He had no.
thought Of this before. 1t would he
greater shock than il she should
learn what he had hidden from her rs
from the rest, that Rowland Charming
was his cruelest foe.
Well, it was too late now; he had no
money to hire horse and follow; to
speak to the landlord would be absurd,
he would be laughed ut. Besides. what
cared he for the old miser?
But Clarice!
It annoyed him; he could not dismiss
the reproachful voice which seemed
DINING in his ears: An old man! an
old man. It bothered him so that
he paced the room of quarter Of
hour. He then threw off his coat and
went to draw the curtain. How white
and still the night. The wind was
down and it was growing steadily
colder. Fancy the old man lying
senseless or crippled out there beyond
the railroad crossing till after daybreak.
What Christmas gift to he carried in
through the fair sunlit morning to
Clarice, who had such tender rcvcr-
ence for her elders!
Pshaw! What silly thoughts! An
upsettal would not injure the old miser
Though the bones of the old were
brittlel unless he were dragged or
stunned. Five minutes later he was
buttoning his coat closely about him
and leav ng the hotel.
. 1t might be folly, merest folly, but
something urged him out into the
night He thought of how he might
save distance by striking southwark
direct and crossing the railroad bridge
The trestles would be slippery. but he
was sure-footed.
: More than cnce he named himself
simpleton, yet strobe on southwark in
the white. increasing coldness. 1t was
, not long journey to the railroad tres
tlework, having gained which he slack
, ened his pace, stepping cautiously from
beam to beam. He hoped no train was
, due, for the bridge was old and close
, sided; there would be no escape.
. The thought had scarcely entered his
, mind when low murmur ran through
the structure. He turned to look back
and was struck dumb. He stood SO for
a moment Good God" he cried, but
could not move. A binding light up.
, preached; the bridge trembled. With
sudden, reckless strength he stopped.
. and laying firm hold upon beam.
! slipped through the trestlework and
hung suspended only by his hands.
! Onc word was on his lips; one name
! within his heart. "Clarice."
| The crashing thunder above him
. lasted but brief moment; then .
stinging pain crept from his middle
/, finger up the muscles Of his arm. AS il
:, coal Of fire had fallen upon his hand.
= He looked up into the moonlit sky
again. It could have been but loco
: motive, he thought, us he drew him.
. self up with no great trouble, strong.
:, limbed, athletic fellow that he was.
: Then hc went on, thinking little of his
own late danger, even the pain Of his
:, hand where the red coal had burnt. He
!, went OH mistaken, following the track
after leaving the bridge, and 50 coming
:. nj length to the crossing.
/ by the roadside. beyond, lay some