Centre Hall reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1868-1871, 1871-03-10

7
was open wide. Paul stood outside. The
wind, raw and wet with the breath Of the
sea. caught at her hair-at the silken ruff
I ties Of her dress.
"oh, is it you| But YOU are coming
( nT'
I She little knew how her words tempted
( him-how the vision tempted him, as she
paused with claSped hands under the gas
light, and with the warm, bright room be-
yond.
II cannot, | am waiting for your father
There is family at the lower end Of the
town Stary-h
The words choked him. Thank you,
not tonight" he said. He had longed 70
meet her again, like this-alone and face
20 face. But her light manner, her dainty
/ dress, angered him tonight. He had come
from such a different scene. Only wo-
man of the world, after all, he thought.
And vet so sweet, so bitterly sweet, he
owned, when he had turned away and
plunged into the cold and darkness. Oar
rel was waiting for her in the drawing
room.
YOU'RE like a poem tonight, in all that
ruby-red--like an Eastern song"
Thank you,H Vesey said, dreamily.
II couldn't imagine YOU in gray he
went on, half to himself or in anything
sombre, or worn, or poor He had begun
10 study the girl in earnest now. "1eS,
you are made for the rareSt and best, We
sey; to shine IN satin and diamonds"
ais that aR?n she asked wistfully.
"Alll l. not that enoughl IL would
satisfy most women
But tonight il did not satisfy her.
Down at the beginning Of the long street
was black, low-browed house, like many
Others here, with shop in the lower story,
or, more properly, two, since one window
was occupied by matchmaker. and the
other displayed pins, needles, sPOols OF
cotton. and such small wares. Above were
two or three rooms with slanting sides,
where deformcd girl-a pitiful object TO
look at-liycd with her mother, earning
enough by sewing TO put bread INTO their
mouths and scanty covering upon their
backs-no more. VeSey employed them;
from pity mostly, since her work could
have been better done elsewhere. She
stepped out Of the sleigh here at dusk one
night, and ran up the stairs, a roll Of work
in her hand. She had TO wait moment,
so she sat and talked with the girl, who
was young like herself, and vet not like
herself at all. II made her happier in the
happy lot that had sometimes wearied her.
II made her thankful for her strong, young
life, which she had never named among
her blessings, and il shot 4 gleam Of pleas
ure through the girls dark days.
Ii was a poor room, with paper torn, and
soiled, and oF many patterns, upon the
walls: with the bare boards Of the floor
vawning. rising and falling uneasily with
the dim light struggling through incur
tanned windows that peered from under
the caves like eyes from oyerhanging
brows A low voice in continuous muir
mur fell upon Vesey's ear. 1t seemed TO
come from the next room.
What is that
"That m 2" The girls pale face grew
bright. ats the minister, Mr.. Hayes.
He comes and prays with mother, now
she's sick"
The voice ceased She heard his step
upon the stairs. Ii was but 4 second he
could not have reached the street, when a
shrek came from the room he had left.
The girl sat like one paralyzed. Vesey
threw open the door. 4 swift line Of light
ran all adown the bed. 1t burst into a
fame, in the midst Of which the sick wO-
man struggled. The overturned candle at
her head told the story. 1t was an instinct
there was no time for thought-which
made Vesey drag the square Of carpet from
the floor and press II down upon the flames.
They shot ont into her face. They seemed
u catch away her breath. They licked
her arm. They strove and fought, and
well-nigh overcame-all in an instant, that
seemed hours 10 the girl, who threw her
self upon the bed, smothering the flames
with her own weight
They were conquered at last. The 81
lent, breathless struggle was over.
If some one would only bring light
Oh dearl what shall / do Don't" 10
the deformed girl, who shrieked and called
upon her mother. Vesey had not heard
the strong step springing up the stairs
the opening Of the door Some one stood
beside her in a moment, lamp in hand. 1t
was Paul.
"Is she dead 2" gasped vesey, shrinking
from the bed.
He threw back the scorched blanket
that bid the motionlcss form. "No, not
dead but think she has tainted. Or the
flames-I must go for a doctor. Stay here,
if you are not afraid oh hush hush "
to the frightened girl sit is nothing,
hope. Get some water for the lady and
sprinkle her face" he said to Vesey. Then
he was gone.
She did as he had told her-waiting,
watching the blackened mass, she dared
not touch 1t was frightful, with that
still, white face shining out Of the dark
ness. Was il death No; there was a
faint quivering Of the eye-lids-that first
sign OF returning consciousness feeble
moan. Then Paul came. oh the rush Of
Joy, of binding tears, Of sudden faintness
that overpowered her when she heard his
step. The grim-faced doctor behind him
walked straight TO the bed.
"There are no deep burns, think, :" he
said at length. "The blanket saved her
The shock has done more than the fire.
A sponge-ah, that will do. Now some
water, and some linen rags" There were
none Vcsey quietly held out her dainty
handkerchief. "H-m ]" he said, and tore
his own into strips.
Ana now your lie turned 10 Nesey.
al have no burns" Indeed she felt no
pain. The doctor raised her hand, and
held it out to Paul. The sleeve was cut
away from her wrist as by jagged knife
with blackened edge. The flesh was like
flame. Paul's teeth shut tight and quick
together. Something sprang into his eyes
not tears alone.
Then Vesey began to tremble ; and, con-
scious at last Of the cruel pain that bit and
tore her hand, she sobbed like a hurt
child.
Don't mind" she tried to say. Don't
look at me. It's only-only-" The
sobs swept all her words away.
Paul batted her hand She remembered
afterwards low tenderer than any woman's
had been his touch.
LET her cry" said the doctor, in a
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