Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1899-03-04
ON THE BRINK.
BY EDWARD MINTURN.

1t was sweet. dreamy October
There were hundred tints of green,
pale and deep-of scarlet and gold,
to be seen among the forest leaves,
for an autumn frost had touched the
trees Ia the mountains even thus
early.
Where large, swift stream rush
ed down from its snow-fed sources,
In forest of gnarled oaks, mid
dle-aged man stood, pale and pen.
sive by the watersids. His dark
brown hair clustered over high,
white forehead, which he brushed
aside as he raised his blue eyes to
look at fairy form that stood near
him.
She was young girl, woman in
face aud form, though yet in her
teens, and as beautiful as the ideal
of a gifted artist.
Large hazel eyes, features of
classic perfection, hair dark as night
hanging In massive curls about q
perfect head and neck, a form slen-
der, yet in each proportion SO adj
mirable in the filing out, that a
sculptor would have asked no bet
ter model.
With her small hands clasped to.
gether-her innocent face all aglow
with poetic enthusiasm, she stood
looking down into the clear, bright
stream, watching the shadows made
by the waving branches overhead.
$50 good and so beautiful So
young and yet so gifted" murmur-
ed the man, as his eyes rested on
her form. "Would / were master
of an empire, that l might lay it at
her feet. In my souls deep recesses
she has enshrined herself; almost
like a dream she has come to me
and grown into my heart until she
is part OF my strange, wild des-
tiny! Beautiful Medora-you are
worshipped by heart that never be-
fore bowed to an earthly, vet too
heavenly idoll'
He turned away, his emotions
causing he strong frame TO culver
from head to foot.
A minute or two passed away and
again he looked toward her.
AS lie did SO, cry of alarm broke
from his lips. Far out, right, over
the center OF the deep, rapid river,
on slender tree which had grown
sloping from the bank, stood that
beautiful girl, steadying herself by
a slender branch, while the wind
played with her clustering hair and
swayed her dress aside so as to re-
veal the small feet which pressed so
frail bridge.
"For the love of heaven, come in
from there!" cried the gentlsman.
"The bank is treacherous; at the
least jar the tree may give way and
let you into the water. There is a
terrible fall below. Its roar can be
heard distinctly. 1t is perilous
postl
She smiled and said:
"Best of friends, you are too anx-
ious for me. There is no peril here,
but to please you | will return"
Alas, the warning and the thought
of returning both came too late for
even as she moved, the bank in
which the tree was rooted suddenly
gave way, and in an instant the
lovely girl was immersed in the
swift stream.
She had thrown up her hands in
alarm, and falling clear OF the tree
could not even grasp limb to sus-
tain her until he could reach her.
On his part there was not an in
slant of indecision. 1t was not a
part of his character. Casting off
hat and coat as he sprang down the
stream few yards to an overriding
ing cliff, and even as the swift cur
rent was bearing her past be leaped
in and rising below her caught her
sinking form with one arm. while
with the other he battled with the
swift current.
"Must We perish7 Save yourself
and let me go!' gasped the beauti.
ful girl.
"Ncver, d, ar Medora. / save you
or die with you. Be calm and do
not struggle. l sm strong swim
mer, and remember, there is 3 God
in whose hands we are, who may
help even when hope seems dark
est
His words seemed to reassure her,
and though her face was pale, q
smile as bright as the cloudiess face
of heaven was on it.
at is enough that our fates are
linkedln she said.
On swiftly the current carried
them, past rugged rocks and over.
hanging trees, and nearer, evidently
by The increasing volume OF sound
did they approach the dreaded cata-
rsct.
| As they went, slowly they apr
Il. l. n r..