The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-09-09

only bad to obey. And this she was do
ing when she said to Arthur Grey, Il will
be your WIFE
rt She yielded to the embrace she could not
avoid, though bis very presence was well
nigh repulsive to her.
So it went abroad that on the coming
Christmas Eve, Blaoch, Duboise would be
the bride ofArthur Grey. Many envied
her the seeming good fortune for the
bridegroom was one much sought after by
managing mothers and scbeming guardi-
! ans. ~e4
1t came to the ears of Gerard Cole,
and it astonished him. 1t is true, be ex-
pected something of the kind and was
partly prepared for it. But still the blow
left. However his heart did not fail him,
though he was wretched in the extreme.
At last the evertful evening came.
The guests were all assembled in the
brilliantly lighted parors of the dwelling
/ of Mr.. Duboise. The clergyman was
present, and soon the door opened, ad
mitting thu happy pair. But stay, did
We enter happyl We recall it. There
was satasfactlOn in the demeanor of Ar
thur Grey-that was all. There the
calmDess of despair in the attitude Of
Blanche-notbing u ore.
Hark
One two three
What does it mean 7 cry the guests,
and their host quiets them by saying, it
is nothing but the alarm of fire some
where
True, it is an alarm.
One, two, three
Again the alarm is struck. Nearer
and nearer comes the sound of the engines,
and the voices of the fremen ring clear
and distinct above the rumbling of the
machines.
1t must be near BY says one, and the
answercomes in the cry of the servant, Tile
house IS on fire, tie house as on fire = and
nothing more is heard save the screams
of the guests, and trampling of feet as
they hasten to fee from the burning dwell
ling,
In less time than it takes US to write it.
the room where the ceromony was to be
performed is filed with smoke, and save
yourself, is each ones cry as be hurries
towards the door.
First to endeavor to escape is the cow
ardly Arthur Grey. He thinks not of
Blanche, who has fallen in a swoon to the
aoor--no; be deems his life too precious
to waste it in attempt to save another,
and perhaps be lost bimself nor does be
consider himself safe until he is beyond
the burning dwelling in the open air.
The guests are all safe, but where is.
Blanche Mr.. Duboise seeks her among
those who have escaped, but does not find
her. In an agony of doubt be meets Mr..
Grey and asked him for his bride. But
Mr.. Grey cannot answer. He ia ouly
conscious that be left Blanche in the room.
when he turned to save his own precious
life. The truth flashes upon the mind of
the distracted father. She IS still IN tie
burning dacelling and aoiN aneuataJle be .
lost. DO you wonder that be rushed up
to where band of gallant 6remen are
endeaVoring to stay the progress OF the /
flames and cries out
My child. NY child she is in the back
parlor Save her, and name your own
reward
They listen. and he that holds the pipe
relinquishes it to the hands of another,
and rushes % adly into the fame eDveloped |
dwelling. Yes, madly for the venture is
one few would make. The horror.struck
witnesses of the noble sef-sacri6cing deed
say each to the other, be is lost, be is |
lost! and for few moments, an intense
anxiety prevails. Then scorched and
blackeDed and begrimmed, be re-appears,
having in his arms the form of Blanche. !
S be is still unconscious.
One long, loud shout of joy, heralded |
The appearance of the noble man who !
saved the maiden from the the terrible
death to which she seemed doomed.
lD little time she recovered, and then |
her father sought her pre-erver and ask
ed his name and bis reward.
1t was Gerard Cole.
His reward
One month later, new company assem-
Dled beneath the roof that sheltered
Blanche and her father.
There had been new betrothal, and
now there was happy bridal. And the
'ne who stood by the side of Blanche was
not Arthur Grey. but the nobody the
Mechanic, the Fireman. Gerard Cole.
IN Y Atias.