Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-03-12
Ridgewood's nature was brave and

hlugeWoOd nature was brave ana
indomnitable. He had never yet
yielded--he scorned to now. He
closed with the lynx in q deadly
embrace, and though his flesh was
fearfully torn and he was wet with
his own blood, be never relaxel his
efforts.
Back and forth across the throat
of his assailant he drew the fatal
knife. 1t reached the vital part at
last. and with fearful cry the mon
ster rolled back among the rocks,
dragging the man with him. There
was struggle, but it ended soon.
Ridgewood had triumphed-the
lynx was ia the death agony.
Constance sprang to the spot, and
with her feeble strength unclasped
the grip of the dying beast from the
body of her deliverer. Ridgewood,
faint from pain and loss of blood
could only drag himself a few feet
from the scene of the conflict, and
then sank exhausted upon the
ground.
She brought water from The hol-
lows OF the rock and hathed his for
head, she bound up his lacefated
arm with her silken scarf, she held
his head in her lap and besought
him to rally, if only to speak to her
once more.
All the night through he lay in the
deadly stupor, but when the m rn-
ing broke, fair and calm, the first
ray of sunlight aroused him. He
rose to a sitting posture and looked
around, realizing but dimly his sit
uation. The dead lynx restored his
memory.
Clear and distinct, marked by tie
white stones that had been thrown
out in its construction, he saw the
bride path not twenty rods distant.
He pointed it out to Constance.
"Save YOURSELF" he said. lyon
der lies safety and life. For me it
matters little. You are young,
beautiful and beloved. Secure your
safety now, before another storm
cloud sweeps down upon the noun
tain"
But she never moved from her old
position. Smoothing back the soft
hair from his forehead, she answer
ed steadily:
mo, will wait to have my deliv-
erance with you.'
1t came even sooner than they had
dared to hope. A wild halloo far
above them rent the air-the name
of Constance, called in the voice of
Mr.. Hurst.
She answered him back, stro lg
and clear, and few minutes later
the whole party of the previous day
was on the spot.
OF course Constance was caress-
ed and congratulated, and of course
oil the ladies admired and exclaimed
over the bravery of Mr.. Ridgewood.
For themselves, they had little to
tell, except the agony they suffered
on Miss Lesch's account, and of the
fruitless endeavors the guides had
made to discover her.
They had been all night at the
search, assisted by the gentlemen of
their party, while the ladies, under
the guard of a foot traveller who had
come along opportunity, proceeded
to the Summit House.
A rude litter of the boughs of
trees was constructed, and thus they
carried Ridgewood down to the
Crawford House.
A surgeon stopping there dressed
his wounds, but all his efforts were
not sufficient to ward off the fever
that had already fastened upon him.
That night he was in raving delir-
ium.
And that very night, sitting with.
in the mountain shadows on the pi-
azza of the hotel, Arthur Hurst ask
ed the band of Miss Leach in mar
riage, and was refused. Why, she
could not have told. A week before
she might have answered him diff
ferently, but now there was no other
course.
Three days later the party left the
mountains, but before they departed
Constance went to the sick chamber
of Mr.. Ridgewood. He was not able
to converse much, but he hoped to
see her that winter in New York.
She gave him her hand TO kiss, said
good-by and went away.
That winter Constance Leach went
down to the wharf to see company
Of friends set sail for Europe. They
were on board-she stood on the
quay waiting for the boat to start.
Some one brushed hastily past her.
The Undesirable thrill that pass
ed through her frame made her turn
to look after the stranger, but it was
no stranger-she saw Guy Ridge
wood.
His eyes met hers-he came to-
wards her. He was dressed for tray
cling, and the pile of baggage near
by spoke of long absence, perhaps.
He touched her extended hand.
"Will you wish me bon voyage,
my friend 7" lie asked with agita-
ton.
"Where are you going 7"
"To the East" Something in her
face must have encouraged him to
speak, for be continued
j she'll never return. The whole
continent is not wide enough
to hold you and /, Constance
Leach, unless We dwell together. I,
even |, have dared to love you; and