Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-04-29

lingering, horrid death. / opened
the window, and called for help again and
again in vain. No one could hear me
but those monsters. AT last ] sunk on
seat, and grew calm from exhaustion.
Very slowly the hours passed. sat
watching the wide space between the i'll.
fitting door and the floor, expecting every
moment 10 see the dull glare of the ERE,
through it; but the grey dawn stole into
the room, and still saw no sign of the
threatened conhagration. was unbarm-
ed only exhausted by want of rest,
want of food, and that most horrible ex.
pectation.
The light grew. and there was still no
perceptible fire. ! began to hope that
the match had gone out---that was safe
Alas | was deceived. The house had
ignitcd long ago, but the old damp wood
smouldered slowly. BY and by, when it
was again rear evening, saw the red
CLEAN had so feared on the threshold,
and | heard the rush and hiss of the
flames. A few moments, and | must
perish. Once more | rushed to the still
open easement, and looked out.
Should | spring, at the peril of my
life, TO the verandah ? There was moth
ing else left for me, and was preparing
to take leap that might have been fatal
when voice called to me from below.
Stop, stop, Jane! Wait, will save
you +
And saw Kate Deloraine mounting
garden ladder placed against the veran-
dab.
/ watched her breathlessly. She as.
ceudedl with ease, drew il up after her.
and raised it to the window. | was out
and on it in a moment. | can scarcely
tell how the descent was achieved, but
stood in safety at the bottom, clasping
Kate's hand.
We have not a moment TO lose,' she
gasped. Il escaped them at our last
stage, but when they find l am gone,
they will guess why and where, and will
follow me-
At this moment We heard sonnd of
approaching wheels in the lane. was
20 weak | could scarcely move and she
bad to pull me and lead me to a fly stand
ing near, in which she placed me. |
observed that there was crowd of peo-
pie round the burning cottage, endeavor-
ing to extinguish the fames--but We
drove off apparently unnoticed.
Il am so sorry, said poor Kate, that
should bave been made the instrument of
placing you in such peril, Miss Morton.
When my mother told me might write
to bid you farewell, and ask you here, if
| pleased, | had no notion she intended
such an awful crime,-nor did | know
that they had left you in the cottage
when We left it. But when they thought
we we're safe, my mother boasted of the
revenge she had taken on you. Then I
seized the first opportunity to escape
from them, and returned in the same fly
we are now in; has;sg it in the lane
while l sought for you. feared they
would have pursued me, but was mis-
.aken. Probably they thought if re-
turned to you it would be too late,--or
James feared TO venture back. The
wheels We heard were those Of the ap-
fire engine
| shuddered-fhese people had been
NY friends | would never blame Eng
ish caution and reserve in future.
But by this time we reached my
lome. We found the servants in a great
tate of alarm at my disappearance they
lad sent off FOR my father. though he
vas not yet arrived---and every search
vas making for me.
was SO exhausted that Kate, who
lad placed me with great tenderness on
sofa, had to feed me; and to give me
vine slowly; and before my father re-
urned, | had sunk into profound sleep.
rom which ! did not awake for hours.
When / did, found him sitting be-
ide me. He embraced me with joy
nd gratitude, and was eager TO know
where had been, and what had befallen
ne--as all that the servants could tell
i'm was that Miss Delorin. had brought
ne back very faint and i'll.
I related my adventure, and he grew
,ale with horror and indignation as he
istened. He vowed that be would have
he monsters traced, and as severely
unished as their crimes deserved.
But where is poor Kate?' asked.
'She was gone when / arrived, he an
vered.
Sarah says she left directly after you
III asleep, telling the servants not to
AXE you AS you had had grea. fatigue
nd excitement. She left this note for
ou.
And he gave me little twisted piece
paper written ia pencil.
'Adieu, Miss Morton, she wrote, 'for-
i've me. You will never see me again.
90 to the continent to earn my living,
) ! was wont TO do before knew you,
Y riding in a circus. That wonan's
rime hes separated me from her forever.
ray sometimes for poor Kate
Poor thing we said. And what be-
lme of her 2
We never knew replied Mrs. Den
ison. 'AIy father advertised for her,
fering in the advertisement to provide
IT her if she would let us know where
10 was but probably, she never saw
le paper containing it.
sAnd that horrible Mrs. Deloraine and
70 man servant ? Were they ever
,und and punished? !?
She shook her head.
No. We had no railways, no electric
,legraphs in those days. They escaped,