The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1893-06-01
CHAPTER V,
DISASTER.

"What will Raymond think ?-what
will Raymond say?"
That was the burden of anxious Edna
Deane's heart, as the carriage that
conveyed her from her school life into
a new and unknown existence sped
across the country.
Opposite to her sat her grim compan-
ion, motionless, erect, forbidding. Re
spect without severity had attended his
every movement since leaving Hope
dale. but he persisted in that weird,
oppressive 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, spd had
then ventured to address her somOer
companion.
won't you please tell me '.emething
about nv father-the place I am going
TOP 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 happl-
ness"
But why all this mysteryT
His brow clOuded.
He will tell you. Believe ME, 1t is
for the best. He has been under a
cloud for years; his life has been nearly
wrecked by the 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
| include Raymond?
What could the dark mystery be-
Her companions lips were sealed or
the theme after they had reached the
train. He provided her with every
| comfort in the drawingroom section
| secured for her, and left her to hel
| thoughts telling her that they woluc
| not leave the train until after cay
| light.
Then a swift spin across the country
| confused sleep, and morning Struggling
| in the embrace of a binding snow
| storm, the. cars passing through bleak
unfamiliar section.
Toward evening they altghtad at !!
| little village 1t was still showing, ana
| leaving her in the cheerless depot, he
| comranion went to the stores abou
| fine place, returning with a frowning
anxious face.
| ST am sorry" he said, "but you Cal
stand short walk in the Storm
/ II am not afraid of the storm;
rather enjoy it," responded Edna
'cheerily. '"Are we near-home|
/ eyes; that is, we cross two miles {
another railroad. Thea o brief ride
and your Journey is ended. ] eapno
obtain single vehicle to drive us over
and the train is due in two hours.
They started forth Edna was BRAY
and disdainful of the snow at f1rst, bu
clogged footsteps, an occasional Gee
drift and binding fakes soon made ne
hreat come quicker, and her compaI
ION was compelled to aid her with tn
help ofshis arm.
Tiley had got-p past the limits or tn
town now. Edna shuddered at til
cheerlessness Of the twilight-darkenin
landscape, 49,
I'VE have not got far to go now,: 81
couraged' her companion. This mus
be the bridge we cross. Courage, m
child! Only half mile more. and"
1 tOh! come back! come back!s LOCI
That signr
Edna, following in the footsteps
| her guide, who now went in advance
| dear n path for her more dainty fee
had noticed HE dashing torrent OF WI
fer below the fpaH bridge spaInllnlilf
| II. and, half-obliterated by the snow,
rudely painted sign nailed to one OF Il
bridge supports.
what is it?' spoke her guide, hal
way across the bridge.
'"There is a sign. Danger! Mercy
A wild, frantic scream completed u
sentence. Appalled,, Edna Deane shru1
back at spectacle that froze her hea
with terror.
At her very word, her coinpanlo
. taking a step to one side, disappeare
: The warming of danger had come t
late. Through some snoW-covered no
IA the unstable bridge structure
went.
Splash! With strained eyes the ago
| tied girl saw his body strike the f0al
Ing water torrent.
!, There was cry for help. She sa
his white face appear once, twice.
9 fhe turbulent flood, and then-t
mighty stream dashed on, leaving h
: alone. unprotected, in the Wierd arr
Z of the storm and the night.
Alone, sick at heart, hopeless, 8
continued to glare vaguely at the G
= cling eddies tiiat lad engulfed her o
. protector in the world,
: Alone, on that dreary landscape, =
! ma Deane realized that she was PEN
: less, homeless, hundreds OF miles fro
friends, and the mystery OF her life
mystery STILL
: CHAPTER VI.
= lest.
,nYnop E1,af-iaoE T19paW