The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-02-20

stream was tracttof open country,
dotted with clumps OF trees and under
wood and bright with heather. The
stepping-stones were half covered with
water to-day; the current was running
fiercer than its wont, She bethought
herself of rustic bridge few yards
further down,
The bridge hung high in the air, sup
ported by rough pine stems; it was a
picturesque but fragile affair. Half
way across Irma put her hand on the
rail-how noisy the stream was!-it
snapped off at her touch, one wooden
plank tottered under her feet, another
fell with a splash into the water below.
She had plenty of courage; she was
light and active. She knew, moreover,
that she could easily leap that formid-
able-looking gap and gain the bank.
She was about to make the attempt,
when she was stopped by peremptory
shout:
Gently, gently! Jump from that pro-
jecting stem; it is safe!"
She looked up: on the edge of the
heather-covered rock stood Albrecht
Reitzenberg.
She paused uncertain, half inclined to
retrace her steps. Perceiving her hest
tation, he raised his voice and shouted
still londer above the clamor of the
rushing water:
Car you hear me. Baroness Irma?"
She nodded assent.
step thereto the left. Do not look
| back?"
Involuntarily she obeyed He held
out his arms the gulf yawned between
them, he could be of no help.
THE stem will bear your weight. Do
not be in too great a hurry"
| f("Why does he look so grave?"
thought Irma; is he still angry?").
II had better return the way ] came,
Count Albrecht. Do not trouble on my
account
mo- do as / direct you. You see
which is the best place to stand? Drop
your book, it might be, in your way and
| jump as far as you can. Now"
| One spring, and Irma was safe on the
moss and heather while the plank on
| which she had thought to stand slipped
| slowly but surely into the foaming
water. Albrecht held her hands clasped
in his
Thank heaven that you are safer
! he cried. "Oh Irma, / could not stop
you came just too late for that ]
I could only look on in agony. Are you
frightened? Are you hurt?"
IT am not hurt. did-not know that
it was dangerous; did not, indeed"
She saw him turn pale at the thought
of her peril and the tears which she
! had not shed for herself fell fast fol
his distress.
THE bridge should have been de-
stroyed long ago; it shall be done te
day I did not dare to join you, or tx
speak till you had passed the worst II
you had been killed-ah! cannot beal
to think of 1t Il should never have
known another days happiness, and i
4 would have been my fault-mine! How
4 could I let you wander about alone
when I was longing to be with you
My Irrna, my best beloved! Thanh
Il Heaven that have you safe at last
+ Surely we have played at being friends
and enemies long enough? Look at nj
and say that you love mel"
When he had made her an offer O
marriage three long months ago sh'
had been ready with her refusal Now
when her whole heart was his, sh
could find no words amid her tears ex
cept, Il love you! love you''
1t was enough for him. my bride
my wife!" he said, and held her in hi
arms.
The green ferns rustled and whis
pered, the beeches tossed their bough
in the sunlight, the red squirrels playe
III the oak trees, the whole wood wa
full OF life and joy at that momen
when the lovers plighted their trotf
Woman at Home.