Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-09-11

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another word. Mrs. Seymour covered
yer face with her hands for moment.
hen she looked up, ray of hope on
hr face.
.'Where is Ben? He had better sad
die Prince, and ride with all speed to
the bridge"
A dead sileuce followed her speech,
the cook and housemaid exchanged
troubled glances before they answered
her. At last Mary stepped forward. "
II forgot to tel. you. ma,am, but
Ben has one OF his bad attacks OF
rheumatism tonight, and is now in
bed"
.Oh, dear dear. what shall do?
If only dared leave baby; but he is so
i'll and fretful, he would scream him.
self into a lit if left him."
"And neither of us can ride" Susan
broke in. regretfully.
Adie, who had been sobbing quietly,
now turned to her mother, and flung
her arms around her.
do not cry. mamma; | can ride
will go to meet the coach, and keep it
from crossing the bridge"
But it is too late; and you do not
know the way."
''Oh yes do; have often driven
there with papa. Please let me 90.
II cannot refuse, when so much de-
ponds upon it. Come, | will saddle
Prince while you get ready"
BY the time Adie had donned her
habit, and wrapped thick shawl
warmly round her small form, Mrs.
Seymour. aided by Mary, had succeed
ed in saddling Princes and brought him
round to the door. With many fonc
kisses, and whispered prayers, she
helped the child to mount. and then
watched, with dimmed eyes. the horse
canter swiftly down ne road.
God protect her. and bring her back
to me in safety" she murmured. as she
returned once more to her weary watch
and ailing babe.
Meanwhile Adie rode in the direction
of the river. unconscious of the chill
wind that blew upon her. and the cold
snow that was now falling; she kept
her eyes fixed steadfastly before her,
trying to peer into the fast-gatherine
gloom, whilst her ears were strained to
catch the faintest sound of wheels adj
vancing over the frozen ground.
Presently sullen roar, as Of angry
waters rolling heavily along, reached
her, and her heart gave great throb.
The river!n she exclaimed, aloud.
at is making terrible noise"
Nearer and nearer she drew. until
she could just make out the outline OF
the dark water, rushing between its
banks of snow; the bridge, an antique
one of wood, fastened from side to
side, was barely visible above the seeth
ing torrent.
She dismounted when she reached it,
and leaving Prince in the road, made
her way cautiously to the riverside.
Then, as her eyes, becoming accustomed
to the gloom saw the ravageS made by
the recent storm, n low cry of feaI
broke from her.
Several of the blanks were entirely
washed away. and the others were
rendered almost useless. Adie knew il
was impossible for her to ride Prince
across the bridge. How much more
impossible for the heavy, four-horsed
coach to pass safely over.
She trembled, and feeling faint and
dizzy, leaned against the wooden post;
suddenly however. she sprang erect,
rush of color surging into her cheeks.
What sound was that borne to her ears.
above the raging of the wind, and rush.
ing of the torrent9
The coach!' she whispered, pressing
her hand to her brow: The coach ]
must save it."
Without hesitation she placed one
foot on the creaking bridge, and cling
ing tight to the slde-rail, moved quickly
and bravely along the snow blowing
into heroyes binding her. The foaming
waters dashed over her feet almost
washing her from the bridge; but she
only clung closer to the rail and nerved
herself to perform the perilous task in
safety.
just rs she reached the other side OF
the bridge the big coach came lumber.
ing mp; the horses were quite close to
the bank. when Adie, IA dreadful fear nj
her heart, sprang in their pa,h shouting
at the top OF her shrill childs voice
AT first, although the horses sweryed
Ut slGll Oh lht hdIh bhIeCl ctduuihS ne
fore them it seemed that her voice had
not reached the ears of the travellers.
Papa she shouted again, fear lend
ing strength to her tones, ''papa--Stop
it is I-Adie.N
This time the driver heard.and drew
the horses up almost within yard of
the bridge; in another instant several
of the travellers had Sprang out, aud
the light of a lantern was flashed over
the little, trembling child.
Adler Mr.. Seymour exclaimed, as
he recognized his daughter. What
brings YOU here? Good Heavens!
child, what has happened?"
She flung herself into his arms,
trembling and Sobbing now the danger
was over; it was some time before he
could get her to explain.
she has save Us there's no doubt
about thatw one gentleman said, as
they all gathered round the broken
bridge, Had she not stopped us, we
should none of us have been alive by
now
With grateful hearts they passed one
by one across that part of the bridge
still remaining; Prince was found. and