and s which however had already been sent to the collect for more water there was a deal of clatter and confusion coupled with the certainty of destruction for no could throw the water the second story more than once the as rattled forward from the collect and the east river was totally while the flames gained new ground this latter was to the of the roads and the of the help at the supply end where since all thought to gaze upon the fire none were remaining to help the or the energetic when this last company of fire arrived with their and other for fighting a blaze the flames had gained that there was little to be done wasted half an hour discussing fire protection and then himself of his engagement i must be out of this he said to as they stood gazing upon the flames and the throng i am late as ic is the genial scarcely heard him at all so was he that his own luncheon mattered not at all quietly withdrew then and getting when the old century was new back into boston road and the himself toward the green and s that lady s mansion was to the west of ihe old looking out over lawn and lane to some space of water to be seen in the east river and a boat or two at anchor in the bay as he tapped upon the broad door with its brazen a servant opened to hint bowing profoundly in greeting will master give me his hat and gloves ah master remarked the hostess who now entered smiling i had almost doubted your though you have good reason whose house is it burning count s answered mentioning the french representative to our government i have sent a servant to discover it for me but he has not yet returned it must have fascinated him also we must sit to lunch at once sir as the hostess said this she turned about in her great now but recently like long trousers come into fashion and led the way her hair was done in the curls of the post revolution period three at each side about the ears and a tall that was almost a curl in itself with stately grace she led the way to the dining chamber and bowed him to his place a daughter and a friend entered almost at the same moment with them through another door at the head of the long table there were already standing the two black table servants of this dignified household splendid imported trained in virginia my lady s table was a gleam with much of the richest plate and old holland china in o when the old century was new the city an immense silver the and at every corner were separate gold sticks making a splendid show i have the greatest terror of fire anywhere in our city began the hostess even as young was bowing we have so little protection i have urged upon our the necessity of providing something better than we have � a water tower or something of the sort but so far nothing has come of it you were at the fire master inquired the handsome i came that way with several friends from the collect he answered why the collect asked the hostess who was now seated with the two towering above her there is a man there who has a boat which is to go without sail as i understand it providing his idea is correct it is to go by steam i believe only he did not succeed in making it se do to day at least not while i was there it may have gone though i could not wait to see oh exclaimed putting up a pair of pretty hands and really is it a boat that will travel so i cannot for that returned the youth gravely it was not going when we visited it the fire and my engagement took the entire audience of the away and he smiled i shall have no faith in any such trap as that until i see it observed madame fancy being on the water and no sail to you mercy i it will be some time before men will ven when the old century was new ture afar on any such craft returned the youth but it is a bit curious dangerous i should say suggested mistress no said not that i think my father has often told me that master predicted to him that men should harness the lightning before many years that is even more strange than this that may all be true said madame but it has not come to pass yet it will never be in our time i fear but did you hear of the case of jewels at s has he imported something new inquired the last ship brought a case of gems for him i hear continued the hostess that should be of interest to you master the youth flushed slightly at the involved his attentions to mistress were becoming a subject of pleasing social comment so it is he said gaily as he recovered his composure i shall look in upon this very afternoon and i should like to see what is new in france said the ruddy seriously i have not an or a pin in my collection that is not as old as the hills nor any the less valuable i venture answered with an impressive air i would give them for new ones believe me returned the girl upon this company the two waited with almost noiseless accuracy one serving at each when the old century was new in answer to silent looks and from the host watched them out of the corner of his the while in his new home he thought the fair lady consented there should be two her more tender 