Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1899-11-09
archie. and the scanold. Grea, was the

joy Of the cardinal and the people.
True, the removal of the tons of solid
timber which supported the masonry
was most dangerous; but the GOODNESS
of the architect, who had vowed to
stand on the keystone and stake his
life on the result, treasured everyone.
The solemn Office of the blessing of
the bridge was appointed for the fol-
lowing day, and the bells Of oil the
churches of Toledo were ringing in
announcement of the coming event,
when Juan climbed to the central arch
to see that all was ready for the open
ing ceremony. He went about singing
under his breath an old ballad as he
inspected the different preparations.
Suddenly he stopped and q strange
expression stole over his face. At the
very height of his triumph thought
had struck him which turned his blood
cold. Without saying word to anyone
he descended from the platform and
hastened home.
Try as he would he could not hide his
| agitation from his wife. His tell,tale
looks betrayed him.
care. you i'll, Juan?" she asked, anx-
iously. own.
NO." he answered.
''Sit down by the fire and will get
the supper ready. When you have
eaten and rested you will be yourself
again"
He obeyed her, like man in a dream.
She stole to his side and laid her hand
gently on his shoulder.
FOR the first time in our married
life you are keeping sorrow from me.
Am no longer worthy of your conf
dcnce?"
''Katrine!"
"Tell me what it u.s." she persisted.
II shall have no peace until know the
worst
'It is hard to reveal the truth, dear,
but sooner or later you will have to
learn it, SO why not now? Then hear
me. Tomorrow life and honor-all that
I prize most but you-will be lost. The
bridge must fall into the river, and 1
shall perish with it,"
mo, no." she cried, clasping him in
her arms in the anguish of the revela-
ton. -yA
Eyes! cannot deceive myself. When
most confident of my success, have
discovered an error in my calculations,
and that one error will ruin every
thing"
''The bridge may sink into the waters,
but not you, Juan. On my knees will
beseech the lord cardinal to release
y,o,, fyo,,, v,o,,,.
Il cannot allow that. My word is
pledged. What is even life without
honor?"
You shall have life and honor both.
Trust me. But it is growing dark;
lie down now and Sleep"
He was worn out with grief and anx-
iety, and soon sank into slumber as
placid as childs. Meanwhile his wife
sat by the bedside watching him. The
hours wore on, the city spires chimed
midnight, and then the silence was
broken by the roll of distant thunder.
She opened the window and looked
out. The night was intensely dark, but
now and again vivid flashes of light
ming lit up the sky.
/ koAS pun LIZA A0SC ONlWCCA AlOA AdA0S
and thought awhile, then, closing the
window noiselessly, walked on tiptoe to
the fireplace. From the hearth she
took half-burnt and still smoldering
brand, slipped a cloak over her shout
ders, and glided forth like shadow
into the deserted streets.
| Whittier was she going? Was that
| 1:rl, H.
path through the darkness? On she
sped, straight as an arrow, along the
dangerous track covered with broken
powders, Uttered with fragments of
masonry, with the reek end rubbish
Of building material, to fall at last,
painting for breath, under the center
arch of the new bridge.
A quick shudder convulsed her from
head to foot. She was on the edge of an
abyss of seething waters. A tremen.
dous peal of thunder at that moment
resounded far and wide.
Hardly had it passed when she rose
to her feet, blew the brand fercely to
kindle it afresh, and with a firm and
steady hand applied it to the dry wood
of the scaffolding. The wood ignited
instantly; the flame spread, famed by
the wind; it grew and mounted with
fearful rapidity, involving arches and
framework and the whole structure in
one binding sheet of fire.
Then she turned and fed. Guided by
the glare and the lightning flashes, she
traversed again the space which sep
arated her from husband and home. He
was still sleeping as she had left him. A
few moments later there rose sound of