Warren sheaf., 1899-11-09
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IKTHo will build the bridge?''
wv muttered the cardinal arch

Wv muttered the cardinal arch
bishop Of Toledo, glancing from one to
another of his counsellors, and meeting
the same blank look Of dismay on the
face of everyone. .sWho,'' he repeated,
rising to his feet, and tossing aside the
mass of papers and documents that lay
on the table in front of him, will raise
another San Martin to the glory Of
Spain and our patron saint? Is there
no man in all the land equal to such an
enterprise?''
1t was many years since the old
bridge had been destroyed by Don En-
rique de Trastamara. Under the high
walls of the city churchyard slumbered
many a citizen who could have told of
the memorable night when Toledo was
lllumined by that huge fire, whose glare
revealed alike the swarming enemies
on the river bank, the palace Of Don
Rodrigo and the famous Arab tower,
adorned with the exquisite skill of the
artificers who had created the marvels
of the Alhambra.
Again and again had the authorities
endeavored to replace it by another
bridge of equal strength and beauty;
but the talents of the most famous
architects were requisitioned in vain.
The powerful tides of the river swept
away their scaffolding and framework
before even the gigantic arches could be
completed. So it came about that the
good archbishop sent criers through
out the whole length of Spain inviting
architects, Christian and infidel, to un-
dertake the reconstruction of the
bridge, but without success. The trials
and difficulties to be encountered
seemed insurmountable.
The second day of the conference
brought no result. The archbishop was
in despair. .... o., -
Il doubt it will be of little use calling
you together again, gentlemen" he
said, at last. "And yet the thing is not
impossible S..
just as he spoke there came a low
knock at the door, and one of the at
tendants announced that an architect
from abroad begged the honor of an
audience.
The archbishop resumed his seat.
Admit the stranger architect at
once," said he. 'sHe will be the first we
have seen for a long time.''
The attendant bowed low, and pres
emily ushered in a. young, strongly
built man Of about 80. His dress was
travel-stained and worn, but there was
something in his quiet self-possession
and the frank look of his clear blue
eyes which inspired confidence and re-
spect.
"Be seated, sir,' said his eminence,
courteously. 'Why have you waited on
me? Have you come in answer to my
invitation to any slillful architect to
rebuild the bridge of San Martin?''
ut was, indeed, that invitation which
brought me to Toledo [ am aware of
the difficulties of the task, but think
shall succeed if your lordship will al
low me to try za
"What building have you already
erected by which may judge of your
sllill?" ...-, a. -,.
"I should tell your lordship,'' said he,
shat was a soldier in my youth; but
i'll health drove me to resign the profess
sion of arms and return to my native
castle, where I devoted myself to the
study of architecture. My name is
Juan, and there are certain buildings
of mine of which others have the credit.
I was poor and unknown. I sought
only bread and shelter. Glory left to
my rivals" r2 49, ss.s, ( ( s7s$ =.
''I understand. At the same time I
deeply regret that the lack of any evi-
dence of your professional ability COM
pels me to decline your services. I have
really no choice but to say that with
out some satisfactory guarantee would
trust no one" r.@-s=. ,.lz.-- .~.
II can offer you one guarantee, my
lord,'' said Juan, "a guarantee which,
I believe, ought to satisfy you u
''What is that?''.
"My life!"
The archbishop started and looked
searchingly and almost sternly into
the face of the man before him.
'sYou speak in riddles, sir,'' he said,
coldly. "Please to explain
''It is thus: When the work is done,
and the frame of the center arch shall
be removed, I, the architect, will stand
upon the keystone. Should the bridge
collapse I shall perish with it,
In the pause that followed the arch
bishop ran his eye over the group of
attentive listeners sitting round him.
5 "The responsibility is very serious,''
he remarked, musingly; "and you shall
advise me, gentlemen. Say then: Shall
/ take the worthy senior at his word ~
They answered him .'Ycs." So it was
decided; and the conference broke up.
With a quick step Juan made his way
through the throng outside the palace
gates until he reached humble dwell
ing on the outskirts of the city. His
wife stood waiting for him at the door.
s'Well,'' she said, pushing the dark
braided hair from her forehead, while
her eyes seemed to search his very soul,
SO intent was their gaze, shave you suc-
ceeded?"
He clasped her in his arms.
ssAye, Katrine! Amid the monu-
ments that embellish Toledo there will
one day be one to transmit to posterity
the name of your Juan"