Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-01-12


up with Noah this minute There'll
be bridges standing long after we
poor mOrtals are through trying to be
happy In this world"
But Almira could not make 1t 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 fors
giving him mp. M \, Il
3 a loud rumble nf thunder sent the
pedestrians on the bridge scurrying
home, but Almlra fingered, watching
the lightning leap from cloud to cloud
I'm 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 tlmbers.
Just as she turned her steps home
ward there came n binding crash that
seemed to enwrap the whole village OF
Hurborhead In yellow light; then all
sound ceased for an instant and out
VI tht lutIt sprung Il
bright flame and another and another.
The lightning had struck In Harbor-
head.
Almira hurried toward home as the
wild clamor Of the church bells rang
out. Ii the Portside people refused to
bring out their fire apparatus to the
rescue Of Harborhead the closely pop
ulated little Village was doomed. 1t
was known that Portslders 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 1t was followed by the rumble of
the little engine across the bridge. 1t
dashed past Almiras gate, dragged by
a score OF strong, willing hands. The
hook and ladder truck came In its
wake, and there, sitting high on the
seat, steering the truck, was Noah
Wade, his face tense and set in the
glare Of the fire.
The devastating storm died away
while the valiant men fought the
flames that licked greedily at the
frame store buildings and threatened
many nearby home with destruction.
Portside men and men of Harborhead
worked side by side, and differences
were forgotten In the single aim that
prompted all
Many times that night Almira's heart
failed within her as she watched Noah
risk his life within the flaming build
ings. Once he brought out little child
from the tenements over the stores,
and the tenderness with which he bore
the child and placed 1t In its mothers
arms brought tears 10 the girls sad
eyes
And then came the moment when
their eyes met across the flames. The
sudden leap Of recognition In Noah's
glance was answered by Almira's ap-
pealing eyes, and then the smoke hung
between them once more.
The weeks that followed after the
fire were not soon forgotten. Differ
ences were patched up and mended so
that they would not again break. Port
side and Harborhead people mingled
together as they had before the days
OF the bridge trouble. There were
church festivals and entertainments
that were enjoyed by everybody, and
over all was the feeling Of satisfaction
that the bridge trouble was at an end
The Harborhead people had grateful
tNy hal- uutItN a..
the bridge should be painted white In
view Of the prompt and neighborly
services Of the Portslde firemen. Port
side people agreed to abide by choice
by vote.
When the vote was counted 1t was
found that all Harborhead had voted
for white painted bridge, while Port |
side had courteOusly voted for red, |
and the vote was tied.
Then the question was solved by a
suggestion to paint the bridge green,
and 1t was done, and 30 peace reigned |
at last, and there was much passing |
to and fro.
head and stopped at Almira's gate
Mrs. Turner greeted him pleasantly.
"Almira went over the bridge awhile
ago, Noah II you walk back you may |
meet her." she said.
Noah walked back slowly, watching |
for Almira's slender form and dread
ing to see It beside that OF some 9th |
er admirer. At last she came, step |
ping quickly. with now and then n
glance at the rising full moon.
Halfway across she met Noah, and |
they both stopped Noah guided her |
gently to the railing where they could |
look along the bright m0onllt path |
that wrinkled the water.
ave been to see you, Almira. Your
mother said might meet you" he
said wistfully.
"I-went 10 POrtside to mail a letter |
to you. Noah thought you might |
get 1t sooner tonight and perhaps |
you would come. I wanted to tell you |
how foolish I've BEEN
Noah stopped her words with Il swift |
caress. "And was on the way TO
tell you what fool I've been. but
we've met halfway, after all
When the wedding day came round |
both sides thought It would be a suit
able occasion on which to celebrate the
return Of peace. and nothing would do
but that the bridal procession should |
pass over the bridge.
The suggestion was acted on, and
d procession Of about all the folks in
Harborhead and all the folks In Port
side followed the bride and groom or
strewed flowers before them, fitting |
ending to the troubles that had no long
separated the two towns