The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1910-11-25

OF the long rad nrouud the shore an,
avoid rhe unhappy bridge.
Aimira was thinking bitterly o
what her father had said when she an
bounced that her engagement to Noal
Wade mad been broken. he haC
stared lncredulOusIy a. her
why. Miry. honey. | was only jok
Ing. Now. Jon 90 along and make Il
up with Noah this minute. There1l
be bridges standing long after we poor
nortals are through trying to be hap
py In this world. q
But AlHira could not make Il up
with Noah Wade. He did not give
her a chance. He went away from
Portside and found work elsewhere.
and she had NOT seen him through the
long summer. Now she was thinking
OF him and of her foolish excuse for
giving him up
A loud rumble of thunder sent the
pedestrians on the bridge scurrying
home. but Almira fingered. watching
the lightning leap from cloud TO cloud
In that OminOus black mountain In the
northwest. listening to the crackle and
Volley of thunder. barking to the sibi-
liant hiss of the high tide among the
bridge timbers.
Just as she turned her steps home
ward there came "a binding crash that
seemed TO enwrap the whole village of
Harborhead in yellow lights then all
sound ceased for an instant. and out
OF the murky darkness there sprang a
bright flame and another and another.
The lightning had struck In Harbor-
head.
Amira hurried toward home as the
Wild clamor of the church bells rang
out. If the Portside people refused to
bring out their FIRE apparatus to the
resc.e OF Harborhead the closely pop
ulated little village was doomed. It
was known that PortRiders were very
bitter against the people over the
bridge.
Just as she reached the gate there |
came another sound. mingled with the
roar OF thunder, the clash of bells and
the shouts Of men. 1t was the high,
sweet clang of the Portside fire belL
and II was followed by the rumble Of
the little engine across the bridge. It
dashed past Almira's gate. dragged by
@~pre Of strong. willing hands. The
book and ladder truck came in its
wake, and there. sitting high on the
'eat, steering the truck, was Noah
Wade his face tense and set In the
flare of the fire.
The devastating storm died away
While the valiant men fought the
lanes that licked greedily at the
rame store buildings and threatened {
many nearby home with destruction
'ortside men and men of Harborhead /
worked side by side. and differences
we're forgotten In the single aim that !.
rompted all
Many times that night Almira's heart
allied within her as she watched Noah ,
lsk his life within the flaming build
lgs. Once he brought out little child
rom the tenements over the stores.
nd the tenderness with which he bore
1e child and placed it In its mothers
rms brought tears TO the girls sad
yes.
And then came the moment when
leir eyes met across the flames. The
lddeD> leap of recognition in Noah's
ance was answered by Almira's APP
ealing eyes. and then the smoke hung
stween them once more.
ELL 49,
e were not soon forgotten. Differ h;
ices were patched up and mended so tv
at they would not again break. Port. M
de and Harborhead people mingled h,
gether as they had before the days :.
the bridge trouble. There were
urch festivals and entertainments NJ
at were enjoyed by everybody. and "
er all was the feeling of satisfaction Ell
at the bridge trouble was at an end. ed
The Harborhead people had grateful. pr
announced their willingness that
e bridge should be painted white In
ew of the prompt and neighborly "
vices of the Portside firemen. Port. 10
lie people agreed TO abide by choice pa
vote. da
When the vote was counted 1t was in
Ind that all Harborhead had voted fol
white painted bridge. while Port tul
e had courteously voted for red. ctr
1 the vote was lied. Il,
hen the question was solved by
;gestion to paint the bridge green, ins
1t was done, and SO peace reigned III
last. and there was much passing
and fro. Hatf ~ arr
t last Noah came over to Harbor- pli
d and stopped at Almira's gate. ma
). Turner greeted him pleasantly. h,,
Almira went over the bridge awhile
Noah. If you walk back you may
Il her. she said. La
oah walked back slowly. watching nay
Almira's slender form and dread '
to see II beside that of some 9th ma
admirer. At last she came. step wei
! quickly, with now and then &
ice at the rising full moon. u
alfway across she met Noah. ami