The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-10-11

bed"
''Oh, dear, dear. what shall / doP
If only / dared leave baby; but be Is so
i'll and fretful. he would scream him.
self into iit 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 20 To meet the coach. aud keep IL
from crossing the bridge
But II is too late; and you do not
know the way"
''Oh YES do; have often driven
there with papa. Please let me go."
II cannot refuse. when so much de-
ponds upon 1t. 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
cd ia saddling Prince. aud brought him
round to the door. With many fond
kisses. and whispered prayers, she
helped the child TO mount and then
watched, with dimmed eyes. the horse
canter swiftly down the road.
God protect her, aud bring her back
TO me ia safety she murmured. as she
returned once more 10 her weary watch
and ailing babe.
Meanwhile Adie rode in the direction
If 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-gathering
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 a great throb.
The river,h she exclaimed. aloud.
1T is making terrible noise"
Nearer aud 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
tide. barely visible above the seeth-
ing torrent.
She dismounted when she reached IL,
and leaving Prince in the road. made
her way cautiously 20 the riverside.
Then, as her eyes becoming accustomed
to the gloom saw the ravages made by
the recent storm, a low cry Of fear
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 torrent?
THE coach!' she whispered. pressing
her hand TO her brow: THE coach!
must save II. y
Without hesitation she placed one
foot on the creaking bridge. and cling
ing tight to the side-rail, moved quickly
aud bravely along. the snow blowing
into her eyes, binding her. The foaming
waters dashed over her feet, almost
washing her from the bridge; but she
only chung closer to the rail and nerycd
herself to perform the perilous task in
safety.
just as she reached the other side OF
the bridge the big coach came lumber
ing up; the horses were quite close to
the bank. when Adie, "A dreadful fear nj
her heart, sprang in their path shouting
at the top of her shrill. child's voice.
At first, although the horses swerved
Mt sight OF the dark object standing be-
fore them il 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
lit is I--Adie."
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 lantern was flashed over
the little. trembling child
Adler MIR. Seymour exclaimed. as
he recognized his daughter. What
brings you herep Good Henyensl
child. what has happenedP"
She flung herself into his arms.
trembling and sobbing now the danger
was over; il was some time before he
could get her TO explain.
She has saved us-there's no doubt
about thaiW 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, aud
Adie road home on him. while Mr.
Seymour and his fellow-trasellers.
plodded along cheerfully on foot; the
coach with one or two naSSenvprs WIN