The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-08-28
The Railroad Bridge.

friend, Harry Moordale, went as a
in the ship Tempest,
bound to Hayre, at which port he
arrived in due course Of time.
Among other passengers there was
a beautiful Swiss girl, whose name
Harry learned was Mary Lorme.
My friend had ventured once or
twice to address the maiden, but her
timid, modest, half frightened man
ner seemed to repel an intimate ao-
quaintanceship. She had informed
the young man, however, that she
had been to New York to assist a
female cousin engaged in the dry
goods business that soon after her
arrival there, her relative had died,
largely in debt, whereupon Mary
had concluded to return home to
her farther, who, in spite of a severe
illness, had, in accordance with an
agreement by letter, come to Dion
with tho old family coach to await
for her Having learned this much
Harry took "A great interest in the
girl, and felt almost bound to act the
knight for one in her lonely, defense
less condition.
When the boat, which, among
other passengers, contained her and
him, struck the landing, Harry po-
litely offered to carry the fair ones
carpet-bag. She thanked with her
her usual sweet smile. He took the
bag, and the young couple entered
the diligence which was to carry
them toParis.
There they finally arrived, ten
minutes too late for that's days
train. The travellers were informed
however, that there was another
train at station fifteen miles dis.
tant, preparing to start in five hours
"Is there no conveyance to that
place ?" queried Harry.
He was answered in the negative.
II must 90 on p exclaimed Mary
"My father, / am afraid, is very sick
| must sec him as soon as / can
"Fifteen miles is a long distance
to walk" said Harry.
mot for me-" answered Mary
smiling. "The Swiss, you know
are great walkers | have beer
brought up to it almost from infan
cy."
AS her soft, pleading eyes seemed
to say, "You must go with me,
Harry could not resist the appeal.
They started, moving along thu
railroad, for there was no other way
When they came 10 log or rut
Harry would extend his hand an'
assist his pretty companion, whel
with a smile and shake Of his heat
she would leap over the obstruction
as nimbly as fawn.
They had proceeded about tel
miles, when they saw the sun 6
down behind range of blue hills i
the distance. The two were nov
moving along high bridge raise
upon spiles about two hundred fec
from the earth, which, beneath it
was rock and inundated here an,
there by foaming torrents.
Ahead of them the travellers pei
ceived that for a distance of abou
one hundred yards there were n
cross planks between the rail-
Therefore, in order to traverse thi
space. Mary and her companies
must walk upon the track. Unfol
tunately the track was not ver
broad, yet a person of steady balanC
capable of maintaining his self-po;
session, in spite of ftheyawning abys
on each side of him, might occasion
ally derive support from the bear
projecting outward several inchC
beyond each side of the track, whic
was rivited upon it.
Frail support this, however, wit
those jagged rocks two hundred fec
below, ready to receive unfortunat
adventures who should make I'll
slightest nlis-step.
Harry paused looked at his ia
friend and shuddered.
"We had better turn about" sal
he.
"Are you afraid ~ she softly il
quircd. Then as his cheek glove
hotly-" "For my sake, l mean !"
For your sake yes y
Mary smiled.
II have been ON the Alps" 81
said, following those who huntC
on the icy ruins of precipices for Il
chamois. Therefore, why should
shrink now ?"
Still Harry hesitated. A rail W
different from the edge ofa precipi
and the young man almost fancii
he could already hear Mary's pie
cling rieks-could already see h
form cleaving the air headlong
ward those dangerous rocks boneat
Ia t,,,s1s.,I,t ..oe, ,r.,i !, owl a.