Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-03-22

But Mr.. Stewart had forgotten that.
For long time Frank sat in the bay
window, his head bowed, staring his
misery in the face.
Could it be true that Lottie loved
him no longer.
All, well, it was best for him to
know the worst before it was too
late
An hour or two afterwards he saw
Lottie, radient in white organdie and
pink ribbons-sitting on rustic seat
in the hotel grounds in conversation
with Mr.. Stewart.
Fraok bit his lip and hurried away
out Of sight.
Well, after all, it was nothing to
him now.
Lotte had ceased to love him; and
only a few hours before he would have
staked his life On her love and truth.
But Frank did not know what was
taking place out there in the shade Of
the oak tree, beneath which she was
sitting with her obnoxious companion.
Mr.. Stewart had asked Lottie to be
his wife, and had been very decidedly,
not to say contemporary, refused.
And when he arose and left her,
there was angry CLEAN in the wicked
eyes, while in his heart he registered
an oath sooner or later to be avenged
Lottie came down to dinner in the
great dining-room at sunset, TO find
Franks place vacant.
"Where is Frank" some one was
asking his mother, as Lottie entered
the room and took her usual seat.
Mrs. White looked troubled.
There's been an accident" she
said
"Some men were out fishing, the
boat capsized, and two of them nearly
drowned. Mr.. White was sent for in
hopes that he could save them, their
families being totally ignorant of any
means of resuscitation. But it is sew
eral miles down the beach, and / fear
it will be late in the night before he
can return"
1t CHANGED that at that instant Lottie
raised her eyes, to encounter a glance
from Mr.. Stewart, who was her tfs q.
uis
She could not repress shudder, as
she saw the audacious triumph in his
face.
Dinner over, Lottie threw a shawl
about her, and wandered of on the
beach alone.
The sun had set now, and twilight.
weird and uncanny, was gathering.
Lottie wanted to get away from ev-
erybody, to be alone with her own
thoughts.
She sat down at the foot of a tree,
and gave way to her bitter reflections.
A voice aroused her, and started her
from her musings.
1t was the voice Enthusiastically OF
young Sewart-eager, earnest.
He bit at the bait mighty easy ?"
Stewart exclaimed.
won't he be- furious though when |
ne has had his long hard ride for moth |
ing, and finds that there has been no
accident-no capsized boat-no half |
drowned men?"
Stewart paused, and laughed hearth
ly.
"And you're sure the bridge is I'M
safe ?" he went on eagerly.
ooh, yes, sir" another voice replied. |
"The high waters, and the late storms
have just played the mischief with the
old thing.
Nobody can pass over it on horse
back without going through--sure as
shootingl"
And there will be no mistake-no
failure'" queried stewart. "White
will be sure to come back that way?"
Hell have to-" the other answered
grimly.
"He went by the beach road, it is
true; but he can't come back that way
after night falls, for the tide is in now.
"No, sir; there amt but one road for
Frank White to come by, and that is
over the old bridge, and if he crosses or
tries to cross that we'll, you know the
rest.
And, with a savage chuckle, they
moved away.
Lottie sat half stunned at the revela-
ton to which she had just listened.
She knew the whole vile, murderous
plot now.
This was Stewards vengeance.
In flash she saw her own way
clearly.
She had brought this ON Frank White
she must save his life though she
lose her own.
She staggered to her feet, and, draw
ing her shawl about her, turned in the
direction of the old bridge, perhaps a
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 upon the old bridge.
1t was nearly dark, but with an ago-
nizing cry for protection, she moved
onward.
Even beneath her light weight it tot
tered and 'hook.
She could see away down below the
black, angry water, with its swift, awful
current, swollen by recent rains, and
choked 10y driftwood.
Il was a wild sight, there in the gath
eriug gloom.
Onward she moved, holding her
breath, and with clasped hands and
dilated eyes. watching the other side