The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1839-04-11

IN
Of their time there. II afterwards ap-
Pesred that. unable To sleep, the idea had
struck Lady Falkland that she would take
o lasl farewell Of this room. endeared by
60 many early and tender Temembrsnees;
she sat down on low ottoman there, her
own peculiar seat, rested her head on
Ihe chair usually ocrrpied by Sir Edgar.
and gave vent 10 her grief in repeated
and passionate sobs, ill II length she fril
into that dull and heavy sleep so often
the result of continued weeping.
"She awoke 20 q scene Of awful dan
lgef: she attempted 10 open Ihe door. bui
The flames and smoke tI.si assailed her
Immediately drove her 10 the Window il
VAS iwo stories from the groundi death
would be the result Of an endesvOr 10
leap from il. one Of the servants imme-
dialsly ran 10 neighboIing farm, where,
he said, vas ladder Of sufficient length
10 reach the window; but how poor sp-
peared this prospect Of relief. when The
danger was so immediate and imminent.
The staircase was in lssRes: who could
venture to ascend il! Offered large pc.
cunisry rewards 10 the person who should
save her life. One Of the unher-garlen-
ers. tempted by my munifcence, advance
ed few s,ePs into the house. aud then
returned.
"I shall be suiFocated 10 The attempt
he said, and what will become Of my
widow and lalherless clildrsnr
AT that momen, Sir Edgar, who had
been giving directions in o different part
; Of the premises, made his appearance,
and, more by gestures than by words, We
} pointed out 10 him the situation Of his
wife. ! shall never forget his sgonised
cry Of distress; but he did not waste a
moment in delibera,ion; he snaIehed from
me my military CLOAK. and rushed into
! the house. The old steward, who had
been in the family al the time Of his birth,
endeaVored TO hold hin back.
"You are rushing 10 certain death.
dear Sir Edgar no cried; pray return.
But Sir Edgar shook him OF.
"'I will save her life,' he exclaimed.
! or lose my own ia the attempt and in
, another momeH, he disappeared up the
} blazing staircase. | had scarcely time
TO hope. before Lady Falkland gave me
| fresh cause for alarm. The flames were
approaching rapidly the place where she
stood; she evidently contemplated the
desperate measure OF leap from the
window, and | was shuddering at tic
; idea oil speedily beholding her mangled
form, when | saw her draw back by Z
, strong hand. Sir Edgar wrapped tho
: cloak around her, and carried her from
the window. 0ace more | ventured 10
breathe; as Sir Edgar had assembled the
staircase withou, material injury. trust.
. ei that he might descend il in the same
manner; but Ut that moment the event so
long anticipated took place, the staircase
fell with a tremendous crash, and all
hopes of retreat were cut off. 4 drasd-
} iul and inevitable death seemed now the
portion Of these young people; bu, there
was o melancholy consolation in the idea
/, that they would die clasped in each 9TH
: ers arms, apd exchanging mutual assur.
ances Of forgiveness. My head began
10 swim, and my eyes to feel dim, and |
, was on the point Of sinking to the ground,
| when loud shouting voices near me g.
reused me 10 perception; a party OF men
were approaching. bearing the expected
= ladder. and headed by Dennis 0'Flaher.
r ~, an Irish laborar at the farm. Even a,
; this moment the thought passed through
, my mind of the strange manner in which
we estimate the value OF person accor-
, ding to the existence Of local circumstan-
ces. ! frequently. during my visits at
the hall, conSersed with Dennis 0'Fla.
. heriy, and amused myself much with his
J brcgue, his plumbers. and his uncouth
manners. / knew him 10 be an honest
and good.natured fellow, but il had never
entered into my head that he could pos.
} sibly be of use to ME in any other point
Of view than as person 10 be laughed
lat; but now, when | contemplated his
lalhletc frame. his muscular limbs, and
ibis bold bearing, fel; that the most gift
ed genius, or The most polished couruer
of the age, would be an object Of inferi-
or consequence in my eyes 10 Dennis
lO'Flaherty, and The sweetest music would
have been less delightful to my ears than
the powerful brogue which made itself
Iheard above all the uproar, in vehemen,
commands to his companions TO waste
no time. but Sc, up the ladder quick and
steady
cit was speedily put up under Den
miss direction; he was at the top in a
moment. Sir Edgar deposited the faint
ling Lady Falkland in his arms; he spec
idly bore her down. and Sir Edgar fol,
lowed in safety. Three loud cheers
broke from the assembled spectators as
he reached the ground. | could not join
in their acclama,ons, but | silently and
ferven,ly offered up q thanksgiving to
n r r \