Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-12-15
CHAPTER V.
DISASTER!

will Raymond say?"
That was the burden of anxious
Edna Deane'1 heart, as the carriage
that conveyed her from her school life
into new and unknown existence sped
across the country.
Opposite to her sat her grim compan
lon, motionless, erect, forbidding. he-
spect without severity had attended his
every movement since leaving Hope
dale, but he persisted in that weird, OPP
pressive silence that chilled, almost
alarmed the warm, childish heart Of
Edna.
She had comforted herself with the
resolve to write to Marshall as soon as
she reached her new home, ana had
then ventured to address her somber
companion.
Won't you please tell me something
about my father-the place l am going
to-" she spoke in accents Of tremulous
pleading.
The man hesitated. Then, with evil
dent reluctance, he said:
you are going to your father-the
father who loves you, who will make
your life one of joy, wealth, and happi-
ness"
But, why all this mystery?"
His brow clouded.
ne WILL Loll you. DOllcVo HE, IL AS
for the best. He has been under a
cloud for years; his life has been nearly
wrecked by tho wickedness of others.
Go to him with free, fearless heart,
willing to forget all the world save
him, and add something Of joy to his
last days"
Edna chilled at the gruesome hint
that the words contained. Forget all
the world save her father? Did that in
clude Raymond?
What couli the dar! mystery be? Her
companions lips were sealed on the
theme after they had reached the
train. He provided her with every
comfort in the drawing-room section
secured for her, and left her to her
thoughts, telling her that they would
not leave the train until after daylight.
Then a swift spin across the country,
confused sleep and morning, struggling
in the embrace of Il binding snow
storm, the cars passing through bleak,
unfamiliar section.
Toward evening they alighted at
little village. It was still showing,
and leaving her in the cherries depot,
her companion ent to the stores about
the place, returning with a frowning,
anxious face.
a am sorry" he said "but can you
stand short Walk in the Storm"
am not afraid of the storm rather
enjoy it, responded Edna, cheerily
Are We near-home?"
Yes; that is, we cross two miles to
another railroad. Then brief ride,
and your journey is ended. / cannot
obtain II single vehicle 70 drive US over,
and the t:ain is duo in two hours"
They started forth. Edna was brave
II nj hn a! tirSt
clogged footsteps, an occasional deep
drift and binding fakes soon made her !
breath come quicker, and her companion |
was compelled to aid her with the help |
of his arm.
They had got past the limits of the
town now. Edna shuddered at the |
cneerlessness OF the twilight -darkening
landscape.
eve nave not got far to go now," en-
couraged her companion. ''This must |
f9e the bridge we cross. Courage, my
child! Only half mile more, and
"Oh! come back! come back! Look!
That sign!'
Edna, following in the footsteps of
her guide, who now went in advance to
clear path for her more dainty feet,
had noticed the dashing torrent of
water below the frail bridge spanning
it. and, half obliterated by the snow, a
Eudely painted sign nailed to one of the
bridge supports.
what is it?' spoke her guide, half
way across the bridge.
There is sign. Danger! Mercy!
A wild, frantic scream completed the
sentence Appalled,, Edna Deane shrunk
back at spectacle that froze her heart
with terror.
At her v>ry word, her companion, talk
ing a step to one side, disappeared. The
warning of danger had come too late.
Through some snow-covered hole in the
unstable bridge structure he went.
Splashl With strained eyes the agon-
lied girl saw his body strike the foam
ing water torrent. !
There was cry for help, she saw his |
white face appear once, twice, IN the ,
turbulent flood and then-the mighty |
stream dashed on, leaving her alone,
unprotected, in the weird arms of the
storm and the night.
Alone, sick at heart, hopeless, she |
continued to stare vaguely at the |
circling eddes that had engulfed her ,
one protector in the world.
Alone on that dreary landscape, Edna !
Deane realized that she was penniless, !
homeless, hundreds Of miles from /
friends, and the mystery of her life a
mystery still.
CHAPTER vi.
LOST
Hear that--look there!"
One of two men bound villa9ewardS |