The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-06-03

about the mountain. She was sup
posed to know its every point and
crevice.
Hardy was well known to the jury.
men and the coroner and upon the
testimony of the two eye witnesses
to the tragedy verdict Of accidental
death was rendered.
AS soon as Hardy was partially
convalescent, my visit ended. AL
though his physical condition furnish
ed ample occasion for the indefinite
postponement of their marriage, ]
was certain that there were elements
other than health connected with
that awful tragedy, which we're still
affecting his relations with Laura
| Davis, his future bride.
Five years later | was again sum.
moned to Atlanta to attend the post
poned marriage.
"sit down." said my friend, sadly;
"sit down and let me tell you an
about that awful Stone mountain af
fair. feel that must tell YOU"
1t was some moments before he OBJ
tanned sufficient mastery of himself
to continue.
"Well, you know I came here with
very fortunate connections, which
,gave me welcome into the first fam
lilies of Atlanta. My engagement with
Laura Davis, was speedy conse-
quence. loved her and her only.
She returned my affection with true
southern intensity.
For two years after the beginning
of my engagement, was almost con.
stantly at the quarries. How well ]
remember my first visit to the sum
init of the mountainl II was made
with a, party of friends under the
guidance of the girl whom you saw
die for me, five years ago. She was
bright, clever and beautiful, but Of
Ignorant. But she was quick and
anxious to learn. She interested me.
We became friends. loaned her
books and we took frequent rambles
about the mountain together. | never
made love to her, even in a sentimen-
tai way and prided myself on main
tanning very strict and exemplary re.
lations with her.
THE day before was to have
bten married l resolved to go there
and have frank talk with her and
return in the afternoon with you.
Her joy at my coming was too
intense and i'll concealed to have not
one meaning. 1t confirmed my worst
fears, She loved me desperately.
I'VE took the favorite path to the
brow bf the cliff. She believed that
| had come to ask her to be my wife
j am certain of that. How could | en-
! dure to crush her heart with what
/ | must tell her. l could not! | de
layed. Oh. the agonies Of remorse
that l suffered as we walked on
{ scarcely knew where. But at last
blurted out
bessie, I'm going to be married
| tomorrow
: she walked on in silence imme
! diately in front of me. She mus
have been utterly dazed and uncon
| scIous of Where she was going, TO
|
tecting border or railing of scrubb.
8 black jack ceased she led straight OF
5 in the path out upon the steep roo
e of the mountain. l touched her arm
D to stop her. 1t startled her as though
t from sleep. She turned quickly
missed her footing, and as she fee
caught about my feet.
| | ali ta N
the cliff until l should have gladl.
r dropped II it were not for the terri
! BILE consciousness that she must fal
with me, she said
}. "'Can you hold on any longer?
p "'Not much answered.
J, "'You must! You must! For you
own sake and hers
d Then she deliberately dropped {
save me.
d 81 told everything to Laura. hav
never ceased for a moment to Low
her singly and supremely, but it ha
7! seemed to me that / belong to tn
dead. But no urging has been abb
y to shake her refusal to release m
from our engagement. She onl
i asks
"'Do you love me?'
! "And can only reply
'Suprenely.'
!, "'Then our separation would onl
: wreck both our lives. And you mus
> remember that she died for he
Also
"And so l am saved again by
e woman's Lowell"