Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1898-09-16

duu w ouUtSudJ -iudb ut COulu Rt
of long enough to run down an(
see Hetty, and be improved every
such opportunity to it's tull ex
tent. Ga Monday, after his pecu
liar parting with Hetty 1t raineC
lncessently, and as his train passeC
the cottage at night he could bare
ly make out the face and figure al
the window through the sheets OF
mist. 1t rained all day Monday
and Tuesday, the water pouring
down in sheets. The country was
Hooded, and strong rivnlets formed
on the mountain sides, rushed
down into tie valleys with the
violence of tornadoes. AT SUI
down on Tue sday the clouds broke
away, aud the Ves landscape re-
ceived a short glimpse OF the setting
sun. A fter the storm the country
l1Oked more attractive than ever.
Hetty stepped out upon the porch
and vie wed the glorious sight with
pleasure.
oh, annty, come ont minute,
and enjoy this sight, she called
The air is so refreshing and invig-
Grating, | feel just like a romp.|
IF IFS cleared off for good, | be.
lieye I'll 60 TO Pembroke after sup.
per and get some Thugs Aunt
Matty replied, shading her eyes
from the hight of the sun. "We amt
got much tea nor salt"
I'll go with you, them IIetty an.
swered quickly. 1'll enjoy tie
walk
'Yes, 1t will do both Of us a sight
Of good
1t was 5 o'clock before they
started down the railroad track.
Pembroke was two miles away, but
neither minded fOur-mile walk.
netty thOnght OF Wilson, and
wondered If be would miss her
familiar face at the window. She
lighted The lamp before leaving.
aud left it burning IN its accus-
TONED Place.
In the dusk Of the evening the
walk along the track was pleasant
'nough, and they knew before they
started 10 return that the moon
would break through the rlflcd
clouds, and light up their way,and
he express trains had to puff
lard TO retain their full speed. a
ODg tTestle bridge crossed the
river about one mile out.
.nd, as the trains had to slow up a
little IN crossing this wooden
Their progress mp lie
yrade was made more difficult.
When the two women approached
be bridge lietty took hold Of her
.unPs arm and said: Il hate to
ross the bridge when IT'S 80 dark.
II We should fall through what
would happenp
"Nonsense, child" replied Aunt
Hatty. We won't fall through"
She took bold Of the girps ann
AID strode forward
boldly. Hctty followed, bnt her
eyes were bent close to the ground.
She vas anxious 10 discover the
irst cTOss-tie that mglked the be.
ginning Of The bridge. Suddenly
,he drew back with half-smotheI.
I'd scream.
"What is 1t, HettlY Aunt Matty
'aid. "DOn'L be so nervous. Come
)u, III hold yOnr arm"
"Stop, annty,r Hetty exclaimed.
,olding back. "Sometblng Is
wrong"
"Wbat do you meant don't see
Hetty was pcerlug lntently
through the darkness.
"Tbe bridge, aunlyl Where is
t?' she exclaimed.
"Wby, here; right ahead of u.s.
mo, it isn't; it's gone. Oh, aun-
y, the bridge is washed away!'
The girl uttered these words in q
voice that expressed all the horror
If the situation.
Nonsense, Hetty; | see the
Dridee,' replied Aunt Matt>.
No, no, come back; it's gOne,'
IIetty crled, as her aunt persisted
II advancing.
well, III fiud ont; / can't sees
we'll as you, mavbe.'
She got down on her hands and
SGees, and crawled out upon the
les. She disappeared in The gloom;
,ut 4 moment later returned.
rs 1t goDe' Hetty grasped.
'Yes: It's clean gone; broke right
n the middle,' the woman replied,