Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-04-05

splendid album, was now dcspolled Of all
its ornaments her writing desk and work
box were not in their accustomed places,
and beautiful portrait Of herself taken
before her marriage was removed.
Mr.. Chambers retired carly. ! made
one more attempt 10 work Oh the feelings
Of Lady Falkland. even appealed to the
weakness of her character, by endeavoring
10 represent to her the consequence and
responsibility of the situation she was de-
sertng, and The insignificant station in so.
Getty held by a separated wife; but lady
Falkland was not worldly nor ambitious
she was only vain and exac,ing she per-
| severed in her resolution, and sorrowfully
babe her good night. All that now re
manned in my power, was ferven,ly TO en-
treat the heavenly disposer OF events to
10 change the proud hearts Of these young
people, and lead them again TO find hopp.
ness in each other. | remained wrapt in
thought for about an hour, looking with
dread to the events the morrow, and OF
length fell asleep.
again awokc; it was still dark, and
l was Immediately sensible of smell
OF fire. was greatly alarmed several
fires had lately taken place in that neigh
borhood which were supposed to be the
work Of man of low character and habits,
who had rendered himself offensive to ma
ny Of the surrounding families and this
man, the garrulous old steward had inform.
ed me Oh the preceding day, had been
threatened by sir Edgar with prosecution
for poaching, and he had been heard to say
he would be revenged on him. | instantly
aroused sir Edgar; we gave he alarm to
the servants, and finding the fire had only
reached a part of the building, and that
we had plenty Of time for our operations,
| dismissed some Of them TO he neighbor-
ing farm houses for assistance and employ
ed others TO rescue wah,ever was most valu
able and important from the flames.
First Of all. however, I spoke to lady
Falklands own maid, telling her to ava.
len her gently and quietly, 10 explain to
her that the flames were yet far from the
part of the house where she slept and
having assisted her 10 dress, 10 conduct her
TO large covered summer house at the
bottom of the garden, where | desired oil
the females Of the family to assemble for
the present. Sir Edgar and were active
for some time in directing the labors Of the
servants, who removed many articles from
the house. Al length the flames spread
with such rapidity that we were compelled
to desist, and | walked down tn tho sum.
mer. mouse 10 console and reassure Lady
Falkland. Imagine my surprise at discov
! erlng she was not there. Her maid in.
| formed me that on entering her room she
found it vacant. her bed had not been slept
on, nor were any of her clothes to be dis
covered; it was evident that she had been
awake and was sitting up at the time Of
the alarm, and had provided fer her own
safety by flight.
y must say that felt more angry with
Lady Falkland than terrified about her,
for supposed that, unwilling TO identify
herself with the interests Of her household,
or to run the risk Of any communication
with the husband she was about to leave,
she had sought refuge in one of the farm.
houses in the vicinity. thought it right,
however, to inform Sir Edgar of her alb.
sence, and was returning to The front Of the
house with that purpose, when was star.
tied by piercing shrek from Lady Falk.
lands maid, who followed me. looked
up in the direction to which she pointed,
and at the window Of little apartment
above the drawing room, what was my
horror to behold Lady Falkland making
desparing signs for assistance! This little
room had been q great favorie with Sir
Edgar and herself duling the early months
of their marriage, on account Of the exten.
sive prospect it commanded; she had fitted
it up wiz Ac?k shelves,a guitar, and paint.
ing materials, and they passed much Of
their time there. 1t afterwards appeared
that, unable to sleep the idea had struck
Lady Falkland, that she would take last
farewell of this ROOM endeared by so many
early and tender membranes; she sat
down on low ottoman there, her own
peculiar seat, rested her head on the chair
usually occupied by Sir Edgar, and gave
vent TO her grief in repeated and passionate
sobs. till at length she fell into that dull
and heavy sleep so often the result. OF con.
tinued weeping.
'She awoke to a scene Of awful danger
sho attempted to open the door, but the
flames and smoke that assailed her, imme.
dlately drove her to the window it was
two stories from the ground-dealh would
be the result of an endeavor to leap from
It. One of the servants Immediately ran
to neighboring farm, where he said was
ladder Of sufficient length to reach the
window but how poor appeared this
prospect OF relief when the danger was SO
Immediate and imminent! The staircase
was in f1ames who could venture 10 ascend
~ l offered large pecuniary rewards to
the person who should save her life. One
of the undergraduates, tempted by my
munlfcence. advanced few steps into the
house, and then returned.
i shall be suffoca,ed in the attempt, he
said. 'and what will become of my widow
and fatherless children"
AT that moment Sir Edgar, who had
been giving directions in different part
oG iha nremiSoc mn ia nj, onnao.onoo coL