Page:The Father Confessor, Stories of Danger and Death.djvu/49

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THE THREE TRAVELLERS
41

so in terror before he realized that he had just come to the end of his journey and was at the side where the lower wire had snapped. He swung himself forward and with a great effort landed on the bank. He sank on his knees an instant and then ran down the line.

"After running a few minutes he saw a man coming towards him; he stopped and waited. He knew it must be she; and it gave him no surprise to see her bright, dancing eyes and bonny face beneath the cap pulled over her brows. When she saw him she started and laughed.

"‘You are late; it is all right. I was at the station before the train arrived, and all are saved. I heard it come dashing into the station soon after I left. They never realized that I was not you in the failing light.’

"The man took her two hands in his. "‘My dear, why have you done this?’

"‘I had to. You see, it was the only way. You were too late going by the other bridge—as I said.’

"‘I did not go by the other bridge—I crossed the wire after you. The other bridge is down too.’