The Snowflake herald., 1917-01-19

Almira was thinking bitterly or WnaC
her father had said when she an
nounced that her engagement to Noah
Wade had been broken. He had stared
incredulously at her.
"Why, Miry, honey, was only Jok-
ing! Now, you go along and make it
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 it 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 binding crash that
seemed to enwrap the whole village of
HarbOrhead in yellow light; then all
sound ceased for an instant, and out
Of the murky darkness there sprang
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. If 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 Portsiders 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 it was followed by the rumble of
the little engine across the bridge. 1t
dashed past Almira's gate, dragged by
a score of strong, willing hands. The
hook and ladder truck came in it's
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 a 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 it in its mothers
arms brought tears to 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 Almiras 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
ly announced their willingness that
the bridge should be painted white in
view Of the prompt and neighborly
services Of the Portside firemen. Port
side people agreed to abide by choice
by vote
When the vote was counted it 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 it was done, and so peace reigned
at last, and there was much passing
to and fro.
At last Noah came over to HarbOr-
head and stopped at Almira's gate.
Mrs. Turner greeted him pleasantly.
"Almira went over the bridge awhile
ago, Noah. If 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 a
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 moonlit path
that wrinkled the water.
"I've been to see you, Almira. Your
mother said | might meet you" he