The Dermott news., 1917-07-05

Have you a clear head?" asked the man. 'I mean does 1t affect you to be on high elevations? Do you get diZZy?"
 "I never have" was the answer, but
 "I think I'll hold you," was the reply.
 He grasped her firmly by the arm. The loose wrap she was wearing over her shoulders did not cover her arms, and 1t was n bare arm that he took in his hand.
 "I beg your pardon" he said quick ly. but"
 "1t doesn't matter. I understand. You would better hold me. 1 might slip" There was something electric and compelling in the pressure of his strong hand upon the firm flesh of her round arm. She shrank closer to him. again unthinkingly, by n natural i'm pulse.
 The moon was now well clear of the brow of the highest hill. It's yellow was turning to silver and in its cold and beautiful illumination the whole river flowed bright beneath them. Ev cry inch of the bridge was now clearly revealed in the white. passionless light.
 Fifty feet away It ended In the air. They were now almost directly be- heath the traveller. near the end of the suspended span. It's huge legs sprawled out like those of Il gigantic animal on the extreme edges of the bridge on ei- ther side above their heads. The wood- en platform on the track ran out half the distance 10 the bridge end. Slowly the two walked along IL until but n few feet were left between them and the naked floor beams and the string CTS carrying the ties to which the rails were bolted and the blanks laid.
 By the side of the track on the top of the stringers had been placed n pile of material surmounted by large flat plate of steel, which lay level upon it. It was triangular in shape the blunt point inward. The base which was about six feet wide paralleled the course of the river. The plate on the top of the pile was raised about three feet above the level of the track. They stopped abreast of It.
 Cant We go any further?" asked the girl in low tones. still close to the young man. who still lightly clasped her arm.
 I'm afraid 1t wouldn't be safe to go any farther" he said.
 "I want to see the steamer. It will pass directly under the bridge"
 "They have no business to pass un- der the bridge" said Meade. They've been warned hundreds of times and or ders have been issued. There is al- ways danger that something might fall"
 "Why can't I stand up there?"
 ''On that gusset platel'
 ''ls that what you call it?"
 ''Yes. 1t bears the same relation to structural steel that n gusset does to woman's dress"
 Exactly. But can't stand on it?"
 Wait" he answered.
 He climbed to the center of It. lifted himself up and down on his feet to test 1t. and found it solid apparently.
 "I think so. but I shall have to put you up," he said at last as he lifted her up and set her down on her feet in the middle of the plate of steel.
 "Oh, there comes the steamer" she cried. "I can see 1t beautifully from here"
 Be careful. You must not move. Stand perfectly steady. l am not so sure of that plate" He reached over from where he stood on the track be- low her and by her side and gathered the material of her dress in an iron grasp.
 'I do not think that Is necessary" she said. This plate seems as solid as the rest of the bridge and-oh. there's the steamer! She's right under us"
 The big river eyaft was filled with light and laughteA The wind fortu- nately blew the smkke away from the bridge so that theN had a clear and perfect view of her. Where was band playing aboard her. They heard the music above the bead of the whirling paddles. the song of the rising wind. l! The passengers were congregated i about the rails on the upper decks staring upward. The bridge was as fascinating to them as II was to the | people ashore evidently.
 How interesting" said the delight | cd girl. "Why don't you come up here yourself, you can see so much better?"
 The man had dropped herSgown, lift cd his right foot to the Tle on the stringers to follow her suggestion. 1 Thoughtiessly she stepped yard the cutter end to give him roo ute for