Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-12-20

tie girls started to run across the reel.
ing bridge Perhaps il was their weight,
perhaps it was at that very moment the
fasten ings were ready to give way, but
certain it was that when they reached
the middle of the bridge it snapped its
connections at each side, aud with light
ming velocity shot down the stream, the
little ones clinging to each other and
the hand rail
The frightful speed at which they
were going, together with the awful roar
of the water and the suddeuness with
which the whole thing came about, gave
the children no chance to feel the ex-
ireme terror that their hazardous posi-
ton would naturally have inspired
They had only one thought. only one
instructive feeling, and that to cling
with death grip to the bridge and each
other. II was reserved for a spectator
to the scene, who arrived on little
knoll that commanded view of the
whole transaction just as it occurred, to
experience the full agony Of their terri
BILE situation This was their father,
Ambrose Winchester.
Like one gone mad. he ran desperate
y along the bank after the small bark,
his eyes fixed on the two little swaying
figures, dark brown and fiaxen curls
mingling rs they were tossed by the
wind, until small patch Of woodland
cut off his view. Still he ran, muttering
cries, prayers, until his breath gave out
and his gasping throat could only give
vent to something like sobs
When he passed the little patch Of
woodland, he saw the bridge had stop
ped, ought by the branches of tree
fallen across the stream. But the bridge
itself was ready to fall to pieces now.
The rail to which the children hung
was swaying and bending and threaten
ing every moment to part company with
the rest of the structure, At that mo-
ment u figure plunged boldly into the
torrent with n loag board in his arms,
and before the Keeling, breathless father
could gain the spot had taken both chill
dren on to the board and was struggling
toward the shore Mr.. Winchester was
just in time to catch his dripping chill
dren as they came TO land, and as his
eyes fell on their dcliverer he saw it
was Hutton
Here, put the children into my
buggy and wrap them in the robe, he
gaspcd. Then, following them, he drove
OF at breakneck speed without back
ward glance.
Mrs Winchester came 10 the door
with an inquiring look. When Mr.. Hut
ton lifted 10 his arms the half inanimate
forms of her children and handed them
to her, one by one, sho grew ashy pale.
"Oh, what-what,' she cried sharply,
what has happened ?"
Mr.. Hutton explained briefly as no
followed her lead, carrying the oldest
child while she conveyed tho other.
And you--you are wet, she ex-
claimed, stealing glance from her
darliugs to notice his condition."
Never mind me" He turned to 20.
"Ob, don't go yet, said Mrs. Win
chester appealingly. "My husband will
be home soon, and | want you to see
him, | can't thank you words arc so
weak"
mo thanks arc necessary" said Hut
ton cooIly And, as for your good hus-
band. I've just parted company with
him"
With that he strobe from the room,
and wrapping himself in his warm robe
drove home.
The next morning Hutton stood at
bis gate, his hands in his pockets, evil
IDENTIFY in brown study. He was pom
dering on what move no would make
next in this puzzling game Of life, now
that his home was to be snatchsd from
him. lie wore n logged look. which
by no means softened as ho observed
Mr. Winchester driving up The lat
ter stopped before the gate, and an OBJ
seemed to ha We changed positions. Hut
ton nodded cody, without changing his
attitude or expression, while Mr.. Win
chester breathed quickly and lookel
nervous.
"Hutton," he said, IL have called TO
soc you about that little affair we were
talking OF yesterday"
AN, yes observed the young maL,
jingling bunch Of keys ia his money
less pockets.
II remember. You arc man per-
fectly competent TO take caro- of your
own family
Hush DON'T" begged Winchester.
'Ilcre, take this as an evidence Of my
gratitude. It's quit claim Of the place
you occupy"
"And do you suppose" said Hutton,
with deep drawn breath, "that I'm
saving other peoples lives and risking
my own M n matter Of dollars and
cents =
"No, no Col forbid !" said the
farmer. Listen. I've changed since
yesterday Yesterday, as | saw you
save my little ones. | felt great pain
here" beat bis brcast---"this morn
ing, as thought of what might do to
make your life easier and the encour-
agcmcnt could give you not to be
beaten in the great struggle for life, [
felt great JOY instead Of pain. This
is not matter Of compensation. 1t
comes from the heart"
The two clasped hands, an ia that
moment something new and deep aud
warm and strange camo into the lives
Of each the finding aud roco ynition Of
a heart -Chicago Ns,os..