Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1897-01-14
CHAPTER, III.
The bridge of sighs.

The bridge of Signs.
Zig ben was striking eleven when
Zana allghted from the cab at the toS
of Northumberland avenue, and walk
cd swiftly toward the Thames emDank-
ment. Her experience OF life had been
very, very brief. bur il had been
lengthy enough to convince her that on
all sides were deceit and ~treachery,
and, in her despair, life seemed but a
lingering misery.
Her processing lover had deserted
her nay, he had not scrupled even TO
rob her as well; her processing friend,
whom In her desolation she had trust
ed, had repaid the trust by engaging in
a foul conspiracy against her.
BY following Ernest Norton to Eng
land she had made a return to her own
people impossible. TO prolong her ex.
istence III this cold, cruel country, cali
ed England, would be exposing herself
TO further deceit, to fresh treacflery.
She saw but one can of escape from
the terrible duplicity around her.
Father, forgive me, for know what
to dor she murmured; and, With this
plaintive prayer upon hac lips, she
reached the stone parapet which sep
arated her from the dark-dowing river
the same Thames which had already
received the body Of the man she deem
ed had betrayed her. BY the light Of a
lamp near Cleopatra's Needle she
gazed long and earnestly at the cold,
heaving water. 1t seemed too close to
her. She could swim a little, and she
dreaded that IL she threw herself in
from so small a height she would not
sink, but would perhaps instinctively
lntf1O f.,. Nl. e. h. .w,.- - 90
Just then. 900. a policeman paused
close to her and eyed her suspiciously.
What are you doing hereY' he de-
manded gruffly.
II am looking at the river" answered
Zana quietly: and, without awaiting
any further questioning, she walked
quickly on. Presently she saw a row
OF lights stretching across the river;
and she knew they must indicate a
bridge. High up, too they seemed;
high enough for her purpose rvobab bly,;
far higher certainly, than the embank-
ment. SO she sped onward to Black
friars bridge.
Just before b reached her deStina-
ton a ragged, wretcbed looking man
besought her u buy all evening news
paper, of which he had several under
his arm.
I've only sold five since 7 o'clock,
lady," he added, by way Of emphasiz-
ing his appeal
You look very poor" said Zana pity
ingly. Are you in wantT' He did
look very poor-as pitiful an object as
n cou,d well see. Moreover, he APP
peared to be suffering from a compli-
cation of paralysis and some form of
st. VituS' dance. His mouth was SO
distorted n drawn to one side that
his words seemed to Issue from a hole
in his left cheek; his eyelids opened
and clOsed with spasmodic rapidity,
and he shook in every limb, except the
right leg, which dragged behind him,
rigid and well-nigh useless. Such
sights are, alas! not rare i'm mighty
London, but to Zana they were new,
and her heart went out toward this
poor cripple.
Am l in want?' he repeated slowly,
as though bordering over the words.
am when I don't sell the papers. You
see," he explained, lowering his voice
to a confidential tone, I'm not SO
mart as some Of them at getting rid
of my batch. A bit queer here touch
ing his forehead significantly and that
rs why they call NE Daft Billy, l sup
pose"
Would money make your life hap
piery' asked Zana.
"Happiery" echoed the waif. 81 don't
know that il would. But 1t would
make me and Joe tJoc's my mate, you
know more comfortable-iess hungry \
and not 20 cold"
Without further comment Zana put
her purse In his hand. Then from the
bosom Of her dress she drew forth a
pocketboek. which she likewise gave
him.
II no longer need these things" shs
snid. simply. "Re comfortable. poor
man and less hungry, and not 80 eoid.''
Aud 81 left him. staring alternately al
purse and pocketbook and II bef -
eeding figure.