The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1894-12-18

obstruction which surely could not
Withstand the slightest added strain.
At that moment Mury's eager eyes es-
pied dark figure on the opposite
bank slowly battling away toward the
dge-crossing. Some instinct caused
her to glance backward, and there,
close Mt hand, was her other lover,
with triumphant smile, waving
himsy glove as n symbol of his victory.
In few seconds that glove would
he in her hand and she must abide bv
her promise. Then it was when love
asserted control. Doubts disappeared.
Was there no escape? Oh. if she were
only on the other bank But the
bridge she can reach it-she
will and with bound she sprang to
the log, then to the bridge. The spec
tators were horror stricken as they
saw the slight figure of the girl in that
perilous position in midstream, on
that swaying bridge, and scarcely able
to withstand the violence Of the storm.
Not one of all those brave men dared
to venture to her rescue, for any added
weight upon those unstable timbers
meant new peril for the girl whose life
was so precious to them. Their com
mands to retrace her steps were un-
needed. IOnder another log came
sweeping onward, propelled by the
united forces of wind and stream.
There WAS no hope for Mary Dean un-
less she reached the opposite bank be.
fore tho log could strike the bridge.
With suspended breath they watched
her progress. She neared the end.
Their henrts seemed to cease beating
rs the log turned in the rapid stream,
and with n terrible crash the bridge
at last gave way. But Mary Dean
was safe. She bad gained the land,
and after the first moment of silent
thanksgiving cheer on cheer rang
above the storm as Mary was clasped
in the arms of her chosen lover. He
had brought the second glove and
thus proved his allegiance. Many
tear of sympathy glistened in the
eyes of those strong men, for tho
mountain wooer had won their dar-
ling, and they had little pity for the
city man who had sought the prize.
Stella's voice ceases, aud n spell
seemed TO rest upon us as we gazei at
the CrGgs, so calmly beautiful in the
transforming radiance of the peaceful
moon.
"Wosnt that gloriously brave
act?' murmured the heiress, "anI all
for love-
Yes added Stella, cit was grand.
The story was related to me two wears
ago while wns staying at the old log
house. 1t impressed me SO strongly
that | have ever since had an intense
longing to see the original [ would
go far to sec such real heroine as
that"
81 wonder what ] should have done
had been in her place, " said frivolous
Nell. 81 think it was wicked in her
to send them off as she did. Yes,
absolutely wicked.
"Oh, not wicked" cried passion
ate voice, 81 entreat YOU; only
thoughtless,' and We all turned to-
ward Mrs. Blank, who had risen, and
with flushing eyes, II which the tears
still shown, confronted our astonished
faces. One hand was outstretched MS
if pleading for leniency of judgment
toward our heroine. Then, rs some
sudden consciousness overcame her
impulse, she added, 81 beg Your par
don, but was much affected by your
nnecdotc, and with low COOL
night, she left us.
The next evening at sunset we went
down the ROAD for view of gloriiieI
Shasta
The warm air, balmy with aroma of
pine and sweetness of wild blooms.
the hum and buzz Of insects, and the
Incessant murmur of the Sacramento.
all lulled me into day dreams. 1
could sec the graceful figure of the
slender mountain maid rs she passed
amid her native forests surrounded by
all this wealth of nature.
could hear the rumbling of wheels
and the snap Of the hourishing whip
announced the approach of the stage
rs 1T dashed down this very road only
to disappear in n cloud of dust. i
could hear the words Of the driver
but no. Whose voice was it thus sud
denly recalling me to consciousness of
my surroundings?
We have reached the river and there,
near the ruins OF an old bridge, stood
the Blanks. II was the husbands
voice that had intruded upon my
reverie. And the wife REPLIED:
"Whcn | come here I live over again
NIL the suspense and dread of those
terrible hours. ] thought 7 had over
come such weakness, but when You
promised yesterday to 20 up the cliffs
1T was more than could bear, and vet
am ever grateful for the test which
taught me To- read my own heart
Alright
"Aud ], ~ said her husband, ere
member the fearless heart that led nv
darling across tho bridge, and the
dcor love that prompted her to brave
the danger"
And then ! realized that this
brilliant, cultured, altogether charm
ing woman was none other than the
dearly beloved SHASTA Lily"
"Ah look ut Shasta" he said.
A golden food was sweeping down
ward from summit TO base. while over
nll rosy light shimmcred with
chongcful radiance A wraith-like
cloud circlcj round and round the
summit Then ull was changed. and
the noble monarch of the north wore
q crown Of fire, liadcm Of peerless
lpipuIpr gou Er,r,;...... r.. 60.