St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1860-06-07

came a, long train of other thoughts, wrong
and selfish beyond measure. knew them
to be so, and yet I could not drive them
off. My head ached and burned intolera-
bly, beneath their weight, and I fingered
for my opportunity to slip out unperceived.
At last heard their voices recede to the
cool open air. knew the path by heart,
and feeling for the little paling fence,
turned my steps towards small building
spoken of rarely, and then in whispers, by
the members of our family, as the ''burnt
summer-house."
will tell you story of that burnt sum-
mer-house. It was momentous one to
me, at least. -.~. g."
Elsie Russell was an orphan. In our
richer and happier days, my mother had
adopted her. 1 was many years older than
the child, and she had been my pet and
plaything from the first hour of her arrl-
val. I was not blind then, and many a
long holiday 1 spent in amusing and caress-
ing the shy little beauty, to whom kind
ness had been an unknown thing until she
came among us. With my own hands I
had planted vines around the bare walls Of
an ancient summer-house in the garden,
and fitted it up with cushioned seats and
tiny tables for her express delight; and
here, on hot, midsummer days, she loved
to read and sew, and sometimes would fall
asleep among the cushions, curtained by
the floating vine branches.
One afternoon I had left her thus, and
gone to fish by the water side, my mother
being away upon visit. There was no
one in tho house but stupid black SER
want; and partly to be assured Of her safe
ty, and partly that she might not be dis
turbed, 1 locked the door Of the summer
house, and placed the key in my pocket
before started. I had not idled away
half an hour, when casting my eyes in the
direction of our house, I saw faint blue
wreath Of smoke curling up into the air.
As I watched it, it grew denser, and felt
assured that it came from some burning
building. Trembling with apprehension,
l flung away my rod, and made with all
the speed could muster toward the spot,
dreading scarcely knew what.
How it ever happened, no one knew ;
but ere l reached the garden, the truth
was too evident; the summer house was
in flames, and Elsie was fastened within
the burning walls. I sought in my pock-
ct for the Key vainly. I had lost ii. oh,
Heayenl what feeling Of despair came
upon me as I realized the fact, The black
woman stood near, wringing her hands and
screaming helplessly. The nearest house
was mile or more away. There was no
mortal aid at my command, so [ prayed to
God for help, and he strengthened me-
The building was of strong, well seasoned
wood but [ strove with all my strength
against the door-how long I knew not ;
it seemed to me an agc-~but at last, just
as the flames scorched my face, and threat
encd to envelope me in their red embrace,
the door gave way, and staggering in, l
saw my darling lying upon the rude bench,
and bore her forth unscratched, unhurt
from out the fiery furnace. But in coming
out, had to force my way through a sheet
of lurid flames. I remember that it scorch-
cd my forehead and dazzled my eyes; but
I became unconscious, and when. / l>rocov-
cred found myself lying, with bandages
about my head and eyes, upon a soft, cool
pillow, and heard through the darkness,
which seemed deeper than any | had ever
known, some one weeping softly close be-
hind me, Enough; there is no use Of
painful detail, It had been night to me
ever since; but I, had saved my darling
yes, my darling. From that moment, even
as a woman loves the babe for whose birth
she suffers, SO I loved Elsie Russell, for
whose sweet sake I had lost the greatest
blessing man possesses; and from that mo-
| ment she had repaid my sacrifice by care
and kindness the most devoted. The only
pleasure Of my life had been in her pres
ence. Since the hour. I knew the sun
would never rise again to me, her little
hand had led me tenderly and cheerfully
as though it had been sisters. . ~
q "And now-now," murmured aloud,
as felt for tho scorohed relic of the bench
-'fnow strangers step must come be-
tween us p The sound of my own voice,
the cool air, the quiet, brought back my
reason. I weighed my own actions in the
balance Of my conscience. "Paul Blair !"
said I to myself; "you' have not dared to
hope that the young years Of one SO fair as
Elsie Russell would be wasted for your
sake; that no strange eye would spy out
the jewel which you, blind and helpless as
you are, could never hope to claim that
that love which comes sooner or later to
every womap's soul, would never come to
hers? Paul Blair you have not dared to
think thus ?" And even as 7 bowed III
shame at the conviction Of my own heart,
I almost prayed, 'sNot yot-not yet; let
her be ours q little longer! and I laid down
upon the rude bench and wept as I had
not wept for years, for from tho inmost core
Of my sad heart worshipped r m 1al Elsie = Rus g
sell ,,-...... ,x .,ox -. -,t<,%@ - III!
= A low trembling voice aroused me.
r. "Paaly' it ssaaid, tsfdea4 Paul, Why do you
stay in this sad place alone I Come in,