The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1869-01-11
cry, half-s'notLered, but piercing and

cry, half,slnothered, but piercing and
fearful.
AT the first alarm, Kate had been sep.
arated from her partner. If it had be- n
possible, she would have resisted the
mass that struggled toward the entrance.
Though she believed the fire near, She
knew that the frightened, frantic crowd
was more dangerous at this moment. Slo
could hardly live soul and body seemed
about to be rent in sunder. Shc.fel that
sickening, faint sensation which one cx-
1perienees i'm smothered air, and among
excited persons. She would not scream,
but she felt ap insane, almost uncontroll-
able desire 10 do SO. SHE became con-
scicus of being borne slowly backward
from the crowd, by some, steady, resist
less strength. It was just before the
great mHss reached the grand staircase
That led into the lower hall. In mo-
mcnt she found strength to breathe, for it
seemed she had not brcathcd before since
the cry Of Gre. ~ .''' -'.' '''"
"Oh where is Alfred {" she murn,ur-
ed compelled to rest herself on an arm
which, in her bcwiIlerment, she had not
vet noticed. .,...
| "Rcly up on me- Miss Louyain :" said
4 he who supported her. ~
Her own veil was torn aside but the
man still wore his mask. 1t WAS the
mou7Guetairc. At the far end Of the
dsncii,c!rocm volumes OF smoke were be.
ginning to pour in. As she looked with
a shudier at the b!ack clnud, thew heard.
q crash, mincling of screams and exc
cra,lons. The long, elaboratcly.craved
4 staircase could not 6rar The terrible, rush
line burden upon II; it fell. managing
and breaking as i, went. Kate covered
her face; it was the masauc Of death;
she could never dance again. ';''4A
but for ayou, II, should hay. been
there" she said, Withdrawing Lcrseif
from the arm that held Der !, nif -
do not thank me; | have notyet
4 saved you,," said The mous,l,,etaiirc.
Kate could not tell Why SIC felt 50
4 safe with him, there in the midst of flame
and destruction, with man whose name
she did not even Know. sio 70 S''h'''u
For Carlisle, the touch, tic presence
of this girl, whom he already loved. gave
1 him power to dare even the fame. ticpd.
lIcpiaced he, in a chair, then wen, for
ward towards the smoke, 10 discover sonic
back outlet into the outside world. liz.
knew there n.ustrLe cnc there, but the
flames had taken possession. and l.o could
not dispute with. tl,em.i Iie did no. des.
pair. lie threw opcu the windows:
though he could descend, it was imposssii!
blctotakci Kate with him. Then dark
ness began TO enter his soul. He return
cd to Kate, who sat still with wl,i,c face.
and cleaning, beautiful ewes, no LONGER
Corinne Of The Capitol but Corinnc excl.
ted, fearful, still llo. altogether unbnppy
\ Carlisle bent over her he received that
pleading, ,rusllul. look deep into lis
hear. ,... .,i,s,,g. m
"My Gcd / will save you'll" he CT !.
claimed. . " -
lie tried tlc doors in the room: they
seemed mc ,is,' closets for paste or plass.
nothing that led to safety The fame
and smoke were already affecting him.
There remained but one door, II was
Hooked. Raging, i,npatient. with the
| ,.,,,..tL ,r H. ,,..1 Al .
door viii, one Of tie heavy chairs. "a
! fight Of steps led downward With his
arm round Kate, he ran, down tho stairs,
not conscious of his burden, only that he
must save this ggirl who had 50 awakened
his love. 4 narrow, dark passage way,
family illuliiucd b., the lurid light from
above. II seemed to be some sort of
servants entrance. They reached the
heavy door that led to the air and life.
It was locked, but the key was.in the
lock-, and turned at tie FIRST wretch Of
Carlisles hand. .siteftlTig'ii s5aailat'it
The engines we're rafting along the
street. cries Of fire rcsounded in the air.
but all seemed distant and FIR, for tic
place where they stood was d narrow al.
LEV. High above them the forted fire
was forcin ( its way through the roof; ii