The Osceola times., 1885-10-03

her come out upon the platform and
look towards us. For a moment. SEEM
ingly resigned to her fate. she made no
sign; then she recognized me and
stretched out her arms appealingly.
"A groan of sympathy went up from
the throng of spectators. On my part
| answered her with a wild cry Of love
and despair.
WAS there no way to save her? Here
was the opportunity had spoken of. of
giving up my life for her. Oh, how
gladly would do it, if there were only
hint of a chance. At that momnt my
eyes rested upon the three telegraph
wires, still suspended between the shore
and the piers. A hope and a plan
flashed into my mind like an inspiration.
If only they would bear my weight. 1
knelt down and examined their fasten.
ing; they were looped over stout hooks,
buried in the solid woodwork. If the
opposite attachment proved equally
strong. | might cross in safety. But ]
must risk that.
IL arose and spoke to the crowd, who
had been watching me pityingly. They
thought from my actions that l had
gone mad.
Friends said, calmly, Il have
found a way to reach her. II you will
help me, God willing, will save her.
Il pointed to the telegraph wires and
explained my plans. There was uni
versal protesting cry.
"'Madness Sheer waste of life!s Sure
death! The wires won't hold the weight
Of child
"But persisted, argued, threatened.
! swore that if they refused to aid me,
would try it unaided. Finally, one OF
the men, a mechanic, who had been ex.
amining the wires, joined the group.
There is chance, BOYS; a mighty
slim one, | admit; but who of you
wouldn't I risk his neck to save his wifep
and as this here girl is the young mans
sweetheart, | reckon there amt much
difference. So | vote we give him
hand.
"His rough eloquence evoked cheer
of approval, and dozen men
fastened to offer their assistance. / had
already settled upon the course ought
to pursue. | called for rope, and
hosting apparatus near by was speedily
stripped of its 800 feet Of stout cable.
hurriedly constructed sling, such as
house-painters sometimes use, with 8
loop, which passed over the wires, the
latter being fortunately placed SO neal
together that my weight would be
equally distributed over all these. ]
got into my sling, fastened the end OF
the rope about my waist, with directions
to secure it firmly TO the shore, and pay
it out as / advanced, and amid
brcathless silence began my periloui
journey.
LAS swung outward over the gulf.
for moment my head swan and my
heart throbbed violently. But the sight
of my darling, crouched upon the plat
form Of the car, with her hands clasped
together as if in prayer, renewed my
courage and | went bravely on.
IF the wires should part with my
weight, if the fas.enings at the other END
were defective, if knot should slip, ]
should be plunged to instant destruc.
ton. knew it, but the fear had passed
away. II must die, how could death
be met more fifty than in the name Of
lOvep
my progress down the slope of ths
wires was not difficult, for my owl
weight assisted me. 1t was on the up
ward curve, towards the pier, that my
real struggle began. Painfully, few
inches at time, with the heavy ropes
bearing upon my loins, l drew myself
along, hand over hand. In the increas
ing fury of the gale | was dashed to and
fro on my slender support, sometimes SO
tiercely that | was almost head down
ward over the hell of water beneath.
"At last, painting and exhausted, J
reached the buttress of the pier anC
drew myself upon it. A faint cheer
from the shore hailed the success of tn,
first part of my endeavor, but the mor
perilous portion still remained to be ac
complished. ! unbound the rope from
my waist. and slipping the loop of my
sling over it, knotteH it firmly to pro
jecting beam.
Picking my way over the violently
swaying fabric, Preached the ear where
Octavia sat. She had watched my slow
progress with ghastly face and starting
eyes, but she smiled with a sad COM
posure as mounted the platform.
"'You have risked your life for me,
she said. why have you done it?'
"'For the sake of the love which you
called a fancy | replied. Did | not
tell the truth?'
"'Forgive me- she answered.; 4 did
not know my own heart. In the face
of death | have learned it. II we escape
together am yours, all yours; if not
|. 1--WE die together, l interrupted.
But come, there is not moment to
lose. The piers are quaking like reeds. '
II made her enter the car and remove
all of her superiluous clothing; then
wrapping her in her waterproof, lifted
her in my arms and bore her to the
starting point of our terrific journey.
IL secured myself in the sling and,
holding on with one hand, assisted her
down with the other. She clasped her
arms about my neck and, burying her
face in my bosom, left me free to act.
"Our movement over the wet rope,
flung about by the force of the wind,
was terribly slow. There were mo-
ments when | was compelled to pause
and hold on for mere life. But | was
laborng for that which was infinitely
dearcr to me than life and seemed TO
possess The strength and courage of a
dozen men.
"Once | looked back Masses Of
masonry were falling from the pier, and
it shook SO violently that the rope was
ierked as if by a strong hand. For the
moment my courage failed me, and my
blistered hands slipped from the rope.
But only for moment; l set my teeth
and went on.
I'VE were within dozen feet of the
4 n,sfk .ly alr Il,