The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-09-09
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They glanced far down the river
banks. They even lined the stream for
some distance, but found no trace OF
the supposed victims OF terrible mis-
take.
Thus it was that rumor, speculation
and horror were rife at the little rail-
road settlement that evening, when the
two men returned thither and told theI
tragic story.
This man remembered seeing the two
arrive on the late afternoon traln-that
one described the gaunt, solemn-faced
stranger seeking conveyance to take
them across country. A party was
made I'D to make search for some trace
OF the bodies OF the unfortunates, but,
after lining the bleak shores Of the river
for hours, they returned bootless from
their task at midnight, the swirling
waters and increasing storm bidding
fair to sweep away or cover up forever
more the identity Of the man and the girl
who had seemingly met death at the
bridge.
As the reader knows, Edna Deana's
guide alone had sunk through the broken
planking. Edna herself, frozen with
horror, had remained for a moment
chilled to helplessness by the sudden
disaster. Then, frantic with terror,
vaguely hoping to reach some habita-
tion and summon its denizens to at
tempt the rescue Of her guide, she
dashed blindly from the scene.
Through the heavy snow she ran, the
darkening landscape showing distant
light. Towards it she bent her steps,
| = srf oI CT crl o6
on again, crossed q gully, reached q
rise in the ground. and then leaned
against tree, painting for breath. and
staring wild-eyed and alarmed oil about
| her.
Her bedraggled dress, soaked shoes,
chilled frame and anguished heart drove
every sense to vivid suffering. With a
moan of distress she realized that her
companion was past earthly help, that
| the river had swept him away. The in
stinct of self-preservation the fright Of
the moment dulled her memory Of that
terrible scene at the bridge; for utter
! loneliness and desolation spread before
her; not q habitation, human being or
light showed. She might have been a
! thousand miles from civilization for all
its evidences that existed in her imme-
diate proximity.
-Oh! where shall I go-which way
shall turn! I am lost!"
Her tones were hollow, the utterance
despairing, affrighted. Nurtured amid
delicate care, scarcely clothed to endure
the rigors Of such exposure, she felt
that her strength and her will were fast
deserting her.
She tried to summon all her fortitude
and calmness. She decided that the
town they had left an hour previous
must lie beyond a level waste bounded
on its farther edge with ridge Of trees
and bushes. In that direction she
started.
Knee-deep in a drift, swaying like a
reed in the wind, she wavered, fairly
in the center Of the vast meadow.
Snow was all about her-earth and
air seemed full Of it. 1t dazzled her
vision, it penetrated sleeve and hood,
it choked and blinded her.
A fearful night, truly! The noise OF
the rising tempest rang out like the
waves of angry sea. The storm had
tapped out the baleful light Of moon
and stars. In the strength OF mighty
glee, the wind raved and roared, sweep
ing the drifting snow about her like a
shroud.
"I-can-go-no-furt
With moan that was a prayer, the
delicate girl sank down. Her strength
had given out completely. The snow
came thicker, the winds blew faster,
the ghastly white stretch before her
began to be f1ecked with fire, as her
overstrained nerves drove the fever
| blood from heart to BRAIN
"Oh, the rest-the Quiet!" she muir
INJURED. as she closed her eyes in that
fatal delight which cold and eX-
haustion bring, to lure the deluded
victim to the last long sleep. Ray
mond-Beatrice- goodnight
good night"
A rare, ecstatic smile stole over her
face. The suffering OF life was merg-
ing into the dclirium Of dreamland.
She had lain down to desc young, so
fair. so little realizing how near death
grazed her bonny heart!
"Oh! let me rest; I am so weary!"
A rough contact, blast Of warm
breath sweeping her face reused the
benumbed girl to look up
Then, with frantic scream, she
struggled to her feet ard stood trem-
blingly staring at an intruder, the shock
happily dissipating the lethargy thai be-
numbed her senses, and bringing her
realization anew OF the perils that
menaced her.
The hideous form that her uncertain
vision had exaggerated into some ter
ribie creation OF her fancy, brushed
close against her, it's rough head swept
her hands and face, thrilling them to a
sense OF feeling with the animal warmth
of its rough caress.
A great homely faced horse, lost OF
strayed from home, like a puzzled
wanderer over the black eXpanse, seek
ing shelter, the animal had saved her
lie.
Il was going to sleep!" painted Edna,
with an affrighted shudde:, "Oh! J
must struggle on, for Raymond's sake,
Heaven help and guide me, I cannot die
here alone!"
She grasped the horses name as the
animal neighed uneas;ly. Clinging to il
she walked-was dragged along. The
patient horse plodded forward They
reached a road. Minutes seemed al
hour. Edna was conscious OF relaXins
ner hold on her dumb guide from shee:
weakness, OF sinking helpless to th'
ground.
Was that light shining near-graIes
fully near? She tried to cry out, but
her utterance seemed choked and hol-
low, and its faint echo died in her own
| throat.
Surely, there was house before herl
-an open shed, too, beneath which the
| horse stood painting, but safe from the