Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-23

80.


been, Blanche would not have been asked
to be his bride. She would bring him
influence and wealth, and he cared little
for the heart he trod upon, in order to
obtain it. In truth, he was a man after
Mr.. Duboise's own heart, and-so the
father reasoned a most acceptable son-in-
law. What Blanche thought or felt, had
nothing to do with it. She only had to
obey. And this she was doing when she
said to Arthur Grey, Il will be your
wife"
She yielded to the embrace she could
not avoid, though his very presence was
well nigh repulsive to her.
SO 1t went abroad that on the coming
Christmas Eve, Blanche Duboise would
be the bride Of Arthur Grey. Many en-
Wed her the seeming fortune, for the
bridegroom was one much sought after
by managing mothers and scheming u
dians.
1t came to the ears Of Gerald Cole, and
it astonished him. 1t is true, he expected
something Of the kind and was partly
prepared for it. But still she blow was
felt. However, his heart did notfail him
though he was wretched in the extreme.
At last the e%gentful evening CAM.
The guests were all assembled in the
brilliantly lighted parlors of the dwelling
oil Mr.. Duboise. The clergyman was
present, and soon the door opened, admit
ting the happy pair. But stay did we
enter happy? We recall it. There was
Satisfaction in the ~demeanor of Arthur
Grey-that is all. There was a calmness
Of despair in the attitude of Blanche
nothing more.
Hark
One! two three! ..'
What does this mean ?" cry the guests
and their hosts quiet them by saving
Is nothing but the alarm of FIRE some.
where.
True, it was an alarm.
One, two, three!
Again the alarm is struck. Nearer
and nearer comes the sound of the en-
gines, and the voices of the fremen ring
clear and distinct above the rumbling Of
the machines.
1t must be lei BY" says one, and
the answer comesin. the cry of the SER
want, The house iS.0n fire! the house is on
fire! and nothing is heard save the
screams OF the guests, and trampling of
feet as they hasten to flee from the burn
ing.
In less time than it takes us to write
it the room where the ceremony was to he
performed, is filed with smoke, and save
yourself" is each ones cry as he hurries
towards the door.
~ .
First to endeaVor to escape was the
cowardly Arthur Grey. He thinks not
OF Blanche, who has fallen in a swoon to
the hoor,-no he deems his life TOO pre-.
clous to save another, and PERHAPS be
lost himself nor does he consider linn.
self safe until he is beyond the burning
dwelling in the open air.
The guests are all safe, but where :.
Blanche MIR. Duboise seeks her amono
those who have escaped, but does not
lind her. In agony of doubt he meets
Mr.. Grey, and asked him for his bride
But Mr.. Grey cannot answer. He is only
conscious that he left Blanche in sbe room
When he turned to save his own precious
lie. The truth flashes upon the mind of
the distracted father. She is still in the
burning dwelling, and will inevitably he
LOST. Do you wonder that he rushed nm
to where a band of gallant fremen are
~endeavoring to stay the progress of the
flames, and cries out
My child, my child she is in the
back Parlor. Save her and name yonr
reward"
They listen, and he that holds the pine
rellngs 1es it in the hand of another and
rushss wildly into the fame enveloped
bulldSpGv Yes, madly for the venture
IS ona faw would make. The horror.
struck illnesses OF the noble self.sacrifc-
lug Ge@A say each to the other he is lost.
ne = seS and for a few moments an ex-
tensv @sagiety prevails. Then seorehed
ane ~5s2skened, and blackened and he.
grllam9d' ne reappears, having in his
arms the form OF Blanche. She is still
conscious.
E One long, loud shout of JOY, heralded
the appearance of the noble man who
saved the maiden from the terrible death
to which she seemed doomed.
In little time she recovered. and then
her father sought her preseryer and ask.
ed his name and his reward.
1t was Gerald Cole.
His reward?
One month later, a new company assem-
bled beneath the roof that sheltered
Blanche and her father. There had been
a new betrothal, and now there was a
happy bridal. And the one that stood
by the side Of Blanche was not Arthur
Grey, but the nobody the Mechanic,
the Fireman-GeGady1fe
NgaiREttle girl in Louisville had her
nose bitten off by a horse, Sone day last
week, while passing hnderA his head in
the stable.