The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-18

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there
The Frenchman's look Of polite curiosi-
ty merged into one Of renewed admiration,
as the singers clear notes rose @ance
more upon his ear. 1t was but repeti-
ton of what hfd preceded; but even
repetition could not destroy its charm.
The American, less excited than his friend,
studied the face of the singer, which more
and more as he looked at it, recalled some
face once seen in his past life, but lOag
since forgotten. A wearied look habitual
to him settled down upon his face, and
again he ~ lost in dream, and awOke
only to find himself in the midst Of the
crowd which swayed to and fro as it pass
ed out from the theater. .....
The next night found him in the same
place, awaiting the appearance Of his coun-
lrywoman with an impatience that nearly
equalled that Of his neigbbor upon that OF
the previous evening. In his hand he held
q bouquet OF ChOlce flowers, CastSu"y Sc
lecteS 1S;55ii . French yar6Ro but comDri-
sing those only which were familiar to
American eyes. He intended it as an Of
(ering to the sweet young singer, whose
appearance had SO singularly attracted
him.
Once more she glided before his vision,
filed the air with sweet sound, and listen
ed again to the unbounded applause that
followed. Bouquets, fragrant and beauti-
ful, dropped at her feet. One came laziIy
after all the rest, flung by the hand Of the
dreaming American. She stopped down,
gathered that alone of all that lay at her
feet, looked with delight at its pale, pure
flowers, and glancing at the giver, mur-
INJURED How beautiful Y Another burst OF
applause followed this action, so simple
and childlike. Then succeeded strange
silence, broken by sudden and hOarse
murmur.
Fire! fire the building is on iirel'
A hundred voices took up the cry, and
all was uproar and confusion. A bright,
red flame darted out from the stage as its
gauze like decorations caught here and
there. The smoke whirled and fioated
over the heads of the maddened multi
tude as in vain they sought, in one huge
mass, to reach the doors. Suddenly a
shrill cry reached the ears Of the Aneri'
can.
Save her! save her she will perish :
Helooked towards the young singer, for
whom alone of all the multitude it seemed
to him that this appeal was made. She
was standing perfectly still, looking to-
wards the flames, with n pale face and
caspsd hands, apparently conscious that
for her there was but the fainteSt chance
of escape. 1t was but the work Of mo.
ment to swing himself over the railing
which divided him from the thinnest POr'
ton Of the crowd. A far harder thing
was it to battle his way through the wait
ing multitude. At last, however, scarcely
knowing how it was accomplished, he
found himself by her side.
4 have come to save you, he said.
Then, without losing q moment, his
keen eye travelled over the stage in search
Of an avenue Of escape. In vain he look
ed; wherever his eye turned, all was smoke
and flame; but desperation lent him cool
ness. Anything seemed better than stand
ing still in waiting for the flames tha
should destroy.
lie stopped down with quick thought
took up bit Of carpet which had some
how found its upon the stage, wrapped i
about his companion, and looking where
the smoke was thinnest, he ran with hi'
burden across the stage. Fortunately, hi
struck door, and pushing it open, he tlct
down long passage, and ere either coult
comprehend their good fortune, they wer'
in the pure open air, in the rear of thu
building.
A few days later. while yet all the de
tails Of the catastrophe were fresh in thu
public mind, gentleman was shown int
the presence OF two ladies who occupied
fine apartments on one Of the principa
streets Of the city. The younger lad!
arose to meet him.
i am so sorry she said, as she looked
at his burned face.
There was quick step behind her, thel
a Sudden recognition.
", John!'
'PriScilla!'
He made step forward, then turned t
look again at the young singer, whose fac
had haunted him.
Then this is Hope LandOr, he said
with great sigh of relief. For the frs
time in ten years breathe freely.
After that joyful meeting there were
thousand things to be spoken and arrang
ed. At length. one day, John Woedsid
entered upon the subject Of his past life
which had never yet been touched upon il
their many happy reunions.
Priscilla, will you go back to our oil
home?'
She looked up timidly, yet hesitated t
answer.
You need not be afraid, he said, wit
sad smile. You will not find old Wood
side in his haunted house but John Wood
side, who, | trust, is better man than h
once was. Yes, these few past years hav
brought me wisdom and desire to I'LL
prove the talents which God has given me
that, at least, If not peace and content
ment. Now ! am happier than ever befor
in my whole life
Yes. l will 60, john said Priscilla
provided that Hope goes, too
Hope LandOr will be left behind wa
the grave answer.
then l can't 60 said Priscilla, resc
lutely. 4 promised never
Hopes smile and Johns low laugh cor
founded her. She paused, looked around
then her face also broke into smiles.
Hope WoOdside talks Of going sal
John.
We'll, never!' was his sisters exclu
nation. Tin so glad; so my dream di
turn out true after ALL
Several months later q party Of thre
persons took possession Of the Woodsid
mansion, which had undergone a thoroug
renovation, to the great astonishment c
all the neighbors. After weeks Of journey
ing in that Western land where job
WOodside had once spent joyous month:
they were glad to turn their steps home
ward, for home it was to them hereafter
AS for la belle Americana. she disappear
ed, like a brilliant star, from the tirma
ment, to the great surprise of her Frenc