The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-10-01


for soon perhaps In few hours-he
would be free to go TO her, his work
done, and no mystery or dangerous
I task would henceforth lie between
them. He walked quite to the brink
of the chasm and laid his hand upon
the iron cable from which swung the
bridge
81 shall soon be free" he said, with
deep sigh, and looked across the star
lighted hills.
1 Then the cable under his hand vi
brated slightly. At first he thought II
! the night wind stealing through the
vale and swaying the bridge above the
sheer depth But still he felt the
tingle Of the iron rope In his clasp, aud
his hold frightened and he bent forward
TO listen. The whole bridge now audi
bly, shook with the pulsation Of a step
"a soft. fnrtive step, as of one cautious
ly cropping a way over the unsubstan-
tial flooring Then through the star
light he distinguished a woman's fig
ure and drew back A loose plank In the
bridge floor ratified, and as she passed
IL freed itself, and he heard 1t strike
the rocks family far below, but the
figure stole swiftly ON, and he bent
forward, with a cry Of warning on his
lips, and snatched away the light bar
ricade that had been nailed across the
opening.
When he looked up his words OF re
buke. that had waited only for the
woman's security, died on his lips.
Shirley he cried and put forth
both hands and lifted her to firm
ground
A little sigh of relief broke from her.
The bridge still swayed from her
weight. and the cables hummed like
the wires Of harp. Near at hand
the waterfall tumbled down through
the mystical starlight.
Il did not know that dreams really
came true" he said, with an awe In
bis voice that the passing fear had left
behind
She began abruptly, not needing his
words.
"You must go away at once, ! came
to tell you that you cannot stay here
"But It Is unfair TO accept any warn
ing from youl You are too generous,
too kind" he began.
ut is not generosity or kindness, but
this danger that follows you. 1t Is an
tyil thing, and II must not find you
here. II IL impossible that such a
thing can be In America. But you
must go. You must seek the laws
pid.'
How do you know darer
81 don't know that you darew
Il know that you have a great heart
and that love you" he said.
She turned quickly toward the bridge
ss though TO retrace her steps.
Il can't be paid for slight. a very
slight, service by fair words Mr. ATnI.
tage. II you knew why came
III dare think or believe or hope
lou VIII ware bplhibE VI tb' hih'f
Mr.. Armitagem she replied "But
VIII tell you that ! came out OF or
dinary Christian humanity. The idea
Of friends. Of even slight acquaint
ances. being assassinated IA these vir-
ginia hills does not please me-
How do you classify me. please
with friends or acquainiancesT
He laughed; then the gravity Of what
she was doing changed his tone.
II am John Armitage. That is all
You know. and yet you hazard your
iife TO warn me that am In dangerY
III you called yourself John Smith
IshonId do exactly the same thing. II
makes not the slightest difference to
me who or what you are"
you are explicit" he laughed. u
don't hesitate 10 tell you that value
your life much higher than you do
THAT Is quite unnecessary. II may
amuse you 10 know that as ] am a
person Of little curiosity. am not the
least concerned 10 the solution Of Of
what might be called the Armitage
riddle"
"oh. I'm riddle. am ~
"Not 70 me, assure youi You are
only the object of some ones ennity,
snd there's something about murder
that is that isn't exactly ulce, It's
positively unaesthetic."
She had bcgun seriously, but laughed
AZ the sbsuriify " her Iost words.
"you are amazingly impersonsl You
would save mans life without caring
IN the least what manner u man be
may BE-"
"You put II rather natiy. but that's
about the truth Of the matter. DO you
know, am almos, afraid
"sot of De, hope