The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-08-26

1'ity pretended TO be asleep, 'Di .u'-
she waited. untn her mothers continued
storing assured her that it would De
safe to move. -, H.,
At last She raised herself on her. elbow.
and drawing aside the curtain az Nv yinto,y
II must be almost dawn MT. w allei
was to start at six. No more time should
be lost .,oa hor
shoes in her hand until she was OUTSIDE th,,
the door. Az she crossed the kitchen the
floor creaked loudly. She paused Tear eat
fully, but there was no furtner souilu;
She could hear her mothers shores ano
Ben's regular breathing. Ihus Tar sic
She opened the door, and in moment
was outside 10. GOD
she said 10 herself. the men mEht SEE
me. Ill 20 by the railroad and get thtre
sooner; anyhow, 1t is 50 much sh9' w,
She turned abruptly from the fotd, astu
was soon on the track and walking RAPID,
~ over the sleepers 1t was a miie ' ai,1
a half 20 Mr. Clark's even by this shorter
route. Tnly kept steadily on for some
distance. Suddenly she stopPe1 SNORT:
oh" she said TO herself, L never
thought OF the bridge"
4 little way in front the trees which
which bordered the railroad ceased.
From the place where she stood a rush
ing roaring sound could be heard. II
was the river, little mountain stream
rolling and tumbli1g over the rocks tnlr-
Nv feet below and the bridge was Tor
trains only. a single-traek railroad open
Il can't go over it," said Tily. speak,
ing aloud. Her voice startled her. All
had been so still, save for the rushing
Of the riyer-"I can't go over II. It's the
only thing I'm afraid Of. Id rather meet
the men"
She turned back. but as she did so. she
saw a faint streak of light in the east
1t was growing late. She. had not much
time 10 get 10 Mir Ciark's even by TINS
shorter way. IL she went around BY the
road she would be too late.
Coward" she said: you'll let man
be- murdered rather than make up your
mind TO 60 over little bridge, that isn't
50 very high after all TIlly Holden,
you've got to 90 over that bridge, Think
OF Mrs Clark and Miss Alice. Wouldn't
you DO anything even RISK your own Ire,
TO save them such a terrible Ting.
She came 20 the bridge. \ steep en-
bankment slOped TO the level Of the river.
She gave one last desperate look about
as she stood there on the high bank. 1t
was growing light rapidly.
Tilly made one little prayer and then
stepped brayely on the bridge. She. held
her head high and tried not TO look down.
She stepped carefully, and with measured
tread. just as she had been walking over
the track on the solid ground, but this
When she reached the middle Of the
bridge her nerve suddenly failed her. she
glanced towards the water. The rushlns
stream fO3ned FAR below. The nlrrOw
track seemed to dance up and down.
Tilly sWayed, and almost fen. She saved
herself by sitting down.
What shall / doE' she grOaned y
can't get up again. / can't 80 back nor
forward. iii have 70 stay here TN somy
one Genes, and when will that be. for the
trains are not running? on, mother, r.
] were only With you! or, ny dld ]
come? And Mr. Walter viii BE- killed
1t crew light. Perhaps It was almost
six o'clock now. Tllly covered her lace
with her hands.
"Father. father. If You were only alive,
But | viii save him, / Will / VIII creep
the rest Of the way If ! can't stand up.
ANA suiting the action I'D the word
Tlly began slowly and carefully to creep
from tie 10 tie. IN SOM respects IL
more awful than to be upright. SIC
could not help rokins down ~ iAe water,
but she knew that she VS. safe 50 far
as falling was concerned. IAere Was
no danger of that.
slowly, slowly she crept along. he- dress
impeding her. her shawl catching ocCas-
ionally ana pulling her up short; hut
at length che reached the other side, ard
WAS on solid ground once more.
She rose 10 her feet only % find that
she Wa5 50 weak that her limbs would
scarcely support her. and she was tremo-
ling violently What should She do? Size
looked towards the east The sun was
surely almost up. she must 60 on. II
was not far now.
Win a desperate effort she shook off
her weakness, and in q pace half runninE,
half walking. she managed 10 cover the
few yards that remained OF the distance.
A. she opened Mr.. Clarks gate she saw
a sad He'd horse being led 10 the door.
Walter clark had eaten an early break
fast, babe his mother good-by, who had
risen 10 see him OFF, and now came out
on the porch.
"By-hy. mother. shall not be back
till late this evening" he called out, as
he ran down the steps "Why, who Is
this coming up the drive? TIly Holden.
at this hour! Good-morninE THY"
touching his hat with his whip as he
passed her
TO his surprise lilly came close to him,
and took hold of the brittle.
What's the matter, Tily2 You look
frightened. I can't stop myself. bur
mothers downs tairs, and shell SEQ YOU
MIR Walter" gasped Tilly. Ter voice
failed her, bat she held the bride.
please let ne goi | must hurry for
my train said Walter. Il am late now.
Mothers there"
"Rut, Mir. walter, it's you. Don't eo"'
What do you mean. child2' exclaimed
the young man, impatlently. Let me
60 don't want 20 knock YOU down,
but / must be- of. And NaZcpua Is rest
less. I'm afraid yOu'H be kicked"
Mr. Walker said Tilly, In a hoarse
whisper her large eager eyes fixed upon
him, don't 80! Iou'N be killed il you
40