The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-09-09
~N;T;SS77}' :
1@HMGf<,..zu' I
, ALMesy a.
pp pyFEgg@
CHAPTER v.
-,c.c---g

CdAHIEh W
DIsASTERl
What will Raymond think p wha
will Raymond say?"
That was the burden Of anxious
Edna Deane's heart, as the carriag'
that conveyed her from her school Life
into new and unknown existence spec
across the country.
Opposite to her sat her grim compan'
lon, motionless, erect, forbidding. re-
spect without severity had attended MS
every movement since leaving nope
dale, but he persisted in that welrd' op,
pressive silence that chilled, Amos,
alarmed the warm, Childish heaFt u
Edna. ., g., -
She had comforted herself with the
resolve to write to Marshall as soon as
she reached her new home, ano hao
then venlured to address her sombeI
companion.
Wont YOU please tell me something
about my father-the place am going
to-" she spoke in accents OF tremu,ous
pleading.
The man hesitated. Then, with evi.
y 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 happi.
ness"
But, why all this mystery?"
His brow clouded.
He will tell you. Believe me, it il
for the best. He has been under q
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
of inxy n
last days"
Edna chilled at the gruesome hint
that the words contained. Forget all
the world save her father? Did that in
clude Raymond?
What could the dark mystery be? Her
companions lips were sealed on the
theme after they had reached the
train. He provided her with every
comfort in the drawing-room section
secured for her, and left her to he1
thoughts, telling her that they would
not leave the train until after daylight.
Then a swift spin across the country,
confused sleep, and morning, struggling
in the embrace Of a binding snow.
storm, the cars passing through q bleak,
unfamiliar section.
Toward evening they alighted at 6
little village. It was still showing,
and, leaving her in the cheerless depot,
her companion ent to the stores about
the place, returning with a frowning
anxious face.
y am sorry" he said; but can yor
stand a short walk in the storm?"
lam not afraid Of the storm; rather
enjoy it." responded Edna, cheerily
Are we near-home?"
"Yes; that is, we cross two miles to
another railroad. Then a brief ride,
and your journey is ended. I cannot
obtain a single vehicle to drive US over,
and the train is due in two hours.
They started forth. Edna was brave
and disda!n.ul Of the snow at first, hut
clogged footsteps, an occasional deep
drift and binding flakes soon made her
breath come quicker, and her companion
was compelled to aid her with the help
of his arm.
They had got past the limits Of the
town now. Edna shuddered at the
cneerlessness Of the wilight-darkening
landscape.
eve have not got far to go now," en-
couraged her companion. This must
be the bridge we cross. Courage, my
child Only half mile more, and"
"Oh! come back! come back! Look!
That sign!'
Edne, following in the footsteps OF
her guide, who now went in advance to
clear path for her more dainty feet,
had noticed the dashing torrent OF
water below the frail bridge spanning
1t, and, half -obliterated by the snow, a
rudely painted sign nailed to one Of the
bridge supports.
What is it?" spoke her guide, half.
way across the bridge.
There is sign. danger! Mercy!
A wild, frantic scream completed the
sentence. Appalled,, Edna Deane shrunk
back at spectacle that froze her heart
with terror.
At her very word, her companion, taxi
ing step to one side, disappeared. The
warning OF danger had come too late.
Through some snow-corered hole in the
unstable bridge structure he went.
Splash! With strained eyes the agon-
lied girl saw his body strike the foam
ing water torrent.
There was cry for help, she saw his
white face appear once, twice, in the
turbulent food, and thcn-the mighty
stream dashed on, leaving her alone.
unprotected, in the weird arms of the
storm and the night.
Alone, sick at heart, hopeless, she
continued to stare vaguely at the
circling eddies that had engulfed her
one protector in the world.
Alone on that dreary landscape, Edna
Deane realized that she was penniless.
homeless, hundreds OF miles from
friends, and the mystery of her life q
mystery still.
CHAPTER VI.
LOST
Hear that-look there!'
One OF two men bound villagewarGs
uttered the words in startled, excited
gasp, just as the unfortunate man who
had been Edna Deane's companion and
guide gave expression to his cry for aid.