The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-11-02


Encouraged by these self.sugges
! tions. she put one slender. unsteady
foot on the beam. Then another trem
ulouS step and she poised on the brink
"Oh. | cantr' she walled.
Then she remembered Henry's tales
of how his pioneer mother, in her ear.
ly days, went to a Western wilderness,
to live and used to cross the river Oh
stringers.
Reinforced by this colonial recollcc
ton, she took few steps. Then the
effect of the stimulating reflections
passed away and left her weak, help
less and scared dlmway across the
sluggish, mild stream, which now
seemed to her a roaring cataract. How
could | have ever said it was the mar
rowest river in the world?" she
thought.
She was now utterly paralyzed from
terror and unable to take another step.
There was only one thing she could do.
and she did it strcnuously. She
screamed. The lone laborer working
on the opposite side turned and saw
her.
We'll, wouldn't that get you" he
calculated, and then called out:
Hold on there. I'm a-coming." and
he hastened toward her.
Never in the world had anything
looked more beautiful to her than the
sight of this stoggy, red-faced. blue
ufl- 1,l,
preaching her with step Of ease and
air of security. When he reached her
he turned about.
Put your arms around me-" he said.
shut your eyes and hang on tight"
She obeyed these instructions so i'm
plicitly that the laborer felt as If he
had an electric rheumatic belt about
his waist
Mrs. POntiff had always been con
scious of an instictive shrinking from
the common people" but she followed
this plebelan coarse -garbed toiler blind
IT, and willingly.
Here we bc"' he announced cheer
fully. and Mrs. Pontiff opened her
frightened eyes to find herself once
more on the beloved terra iirma. With
Il hysterical laugh she sank down on a
pile of lumber.
Say, was You doing it on a bet?"
asked her rescuer curiOusly.
what" she exclaimed. staring at
him.
We'll, | heard Kit Dooligan and one
or two women say how they were a.
going to be the first to walk the plank,
and the fellows about town have been
giving them dares ana putting mp
money on them, and | though maybe
you society folks was doing the same.
You're winner, though. The first but
me to cross that ere plank"
Mrs. Pontiff shuddered. What do
You mean? Isn't that the bridge peo-
pie use right along: How DO they
CROSSE"
1t was his turn for n shock now.
Great Scott" he calculated.
Didn't you see that bridge over
there:"
She followed his index finger. On
the other side of the piers of the pro
posed bridge were terraced steps lead
ing down 10 the waters edge. where
was constructed a snug little bridge
securely rallied.
She was silent n moment. Then she
turned to him.
II was getting dizzy when you came
to my help, and In another moment |
should have fallen in and drowned. /
wish you would take this; it's all
have with me-" and she put tcn.dol.
lar bill into his surprised hand.
Yes" she said. in reply to his faint
protestations. ITS little enough. and
please never tell any one"
As she hurried on to the station. she
thought:
II wouldn't have Henry and Sonny
know about It for the world"
At the station she encountered her
husband pacing the platform.
"Why, right on time he said In
pleased. surprised tone. II te,ephoned
TO the house. but You had left, | got
another telegram from Carrie. ana she
can't come to-day"
Mrs. POntif' made no response.
IN ride up home with YOU" he said.
hoiling a carriage.
When the cabman had closed the
door. Mrs. Poatil, burst into tears.
why. lIolcn," demonstrated her hus.
band. you can't be- disappointed mt
Carries non-appearanrc. or are those
tears Of reIlef?"
"Maybe she viii come tomorrow.
sobbc Mr.. Ponhn.
"Well. never mind. Don't cross
bridges until you come to them.'
At this INDUCTION his wife, TO his sur.
prise. changed her tears to laughter.
"Helen's nature Is even more delicate
and sensitive than | thought" he re-
flected. II must be more careful OF
her"
That evening Mr.. Pontlf picked mp
the Evening Journal and Sonny did
likewise the Herald. Then there issued
from each an exclamation OF surprise.
With dread forebodiugs. Mrs. Pom
till hastened to look over her lord aud
master's shoulder.
Then she fell into his arms more ter
rlaed than she had been during her