New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-02-15
! he F actoY Slave.
BY G. WALDO BROWNE.

"0Iu' AahtaStic ilgufes IN the gloom
9t the night while the hmm of the mill
wheels kept time with the ceaseless
/ symphony of the rushing waters.
! i Hardly had the October sun sunk be-
!. hind the western hills when dull. leaden
clouds came trooping over the sky with
sminous threatenings of rain.
Il The streets of M had a deserted
\ appearance; only an occasional carriage
being seen, and few pedestrians were
! abroad.
I, One Of these last hurriedly crossing
] '&he bridge which spans the river just
qelow the long row of hills lining its
left bank, suddenly paused in his rapid
progress as light form bounded out
CT the shadows into the gaslight's
&, ghostly glare.
Coming and going like a flash of sun
nght IN that night scene. the gentle
man caught the CLEAN Of fair girlish
face and long, golden hair; but the
GeUntenance bore wild, hunted look
and her disheVeled tresses streamed in
the wind.
With a low exclamation upon his lips
5 ne peered into the gloom, hoping to
4 catch another sight Of the fleeing one.
Nor did he look in vain, for a moment
Eater She reappeared, seen more plainly
&hls time in the blaze of the light from
Ghe factory windows
II The girl had passed upon point of
q syyINI Cl
yaer hands were uplifted and her pallid
II Sountenance bore a look of despair.
4 Her voice fell in supplicating tones
upon the night air to be drowned by
!. Ehe sullen roar Of the rushing river,
= and the busy factory wheels.
40, Father in heaven forgive me if
eh1s be wrong, but l am driven to it!
Ny burdens are more than l can bear!
g IN the grave there is rest
The words reached not the ears of
the watcher on the bridge, but he had
I read in that woe-begone countenance a
4 swifter more emphatic message.
Bounding to the end of the bridge.
4 he sprang down the embankme Mt Te-
CARELESS of what the consequences
1 Eaight be to himself. With a last wild
Il aook at the gloomy walls looming be-
Z 7re her, the girl Ieaped from the rock.
1t INTO the cold embrace Of the water
@ yever, the outstretched arms of he
-zso had sped to her rescue, caught
her IN season to avert so terrible a
fate
The fall quite took away her breath,
and when she slowly opened her eyes
She found herself lying upon the ground
with some one-a stranger-bendino
4 ever her.
/ The light fell upon his features, dis
closing countenance of manly beauty.
The eyes were fixed upon her with an
Earnest look as if their gaze alone
would bring her back to life.
"Where am IP'' she faltered, unable
TO comprehend this strange awakening.
Sate, he answered, simply. care
you hurt?"
+ mo, I think not. But who arc
you?'
"a friend. l came none too soon to
cave YOU"
''Save map starting up wildly, her
aniF falling about her shoulders in O.
tangled mass of gold. Save me!'' she
repeated. 'Oh, remember now! WHY
did you come? Leave mel l." strue-
ling to break from him.
sBe calm" he said, gently. '.You
90 not realize what you are doing.
y Would you take your life?''
"Let me go! let me go! do not want
20 liver she moaned, with frantic eff
4 Forts to free herself
Finding her endeavors futile how
j ever, she finally became calmer.
E'You will go to your friends now.''
/ he said.
Il have no friends" was the sad re-
ply. Il am homeless, friendless and
alone in the world. Oh, sir, had
rather die than
flush he interrupted. sit is wrong
20 talk thus. One so young and beau
aful cannot be an outcast. You have
met with some great disappointment.
i ON Will think better of this when Won
nave gwen it calm second thought
Il Ills low tone was as soft as a moth
lsr's might have been. 1t fell with
soothing effect upon the excited crea-
ture who turned her large, blue eyes
IN which the teardrops stood, upon him
until they met his, when she started
aside in confusion.
."Who are you?" she faltered.
"a stranger in these parts. VIII you
not 90 home now? | fear you will catch
cold in the chill night air. Besides it
IS Nkels to rain at any moment
e'Alas! have nowhere to go!'' she
sighed. 'sY ou had better have let me
go!''
44No, no! not that Please come with
me, and as we walk along you can tell
me your story, for ! am sure you
have reason in following your UNI
fortunate course. What is your name,
Sleas,?''