Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1871-11-24

OrlgOt. III 8 Tue UlulSteT, VT. AoyeS.
He comes and prays with mother. now
she's sick"
The voice ceased. She heard bis step
upon the stairs. It was but second; he
could not have reached the street when a
shrek came from the room he had left
The girl sat like one paralyzed. Vescy
threw open the door. A swift line Of light
ran all down 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 in
stinct there was no time for thought
which made Vesey drag the square carpet
from the floor and press it down upon the
flames. They shot out into her face
They seemed to catch away her breath.
They liked her arm. They strove and
fought, and we'll nigh overcame-all in
an instant, that seemed hours to the poor
girl. who threw herself upon the bed,
smothering the flames with her own weight.
They conquered at last. The silent.
breathless struggle was over.
If some Que would only bring light!
Oh dear, what shall I do? Don't," to
the deformed girl. who shrieked and call
ed upon her mother. Vesey had not heard
the strong step springing up the stairs
the opening Of the door. Some one stood
beside her 10 q moment, lamp in hand
1t was Paul.
us she dead p gasped Vesey, shrink.
ing from the bed.
He threw back the scorched blanket
that hid the motionless form. ''No, moi
dead, but think she has tainted"
20, the flames. I must 60 for doctor.
Stay here fyou are not afraid. Oh, bush
hush!' to tho frightened girl; ''it's moth.
ing. l hope. Get some water for the la.
dy; and sprinkle her face" said he te
lVesey. Then he was gone.
She did as he told ber-waiting, watch.
ing the blackened mass, she dared no
touch. 1t was frightful. with that still
white face shining ont of the darkness. =
Was it death? No, there was q fain1
quivering of the eyelids-tha; first sign o.
returning consciousness-af feeble moan.
Then Paul came. Oh! the crush of Joy,
of blind tears, of sudden faintness, thai
overpowered her when she heard him step
The grim-faced doctor behind him walked
straight to the bed.
There are no deep burns, I think. v
be said at length. The blanket saved
her. The shock has done more than the
Ere. A sponge-oh. that will do. Now
for some water and some linen rags. =
There were none. Vesey quietly held
out her dainty handkerchief. "Hem y
he said, and tore bis own into strips.
'.Aud now you?" He turned to Vesey.
Il 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 a jagged knife
With blackened edge. The flesh was
like fame. Pauls teeth shut tight and
quick together. Something spraug into
bis 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-oDly-" The
sob swept all her words away.
Paul bathed her hand. She remem-
bered afterwards how .tenderer than any
womau's had been his touch.
"Let her cry" said the doctor. in a
voice that must have been given in mis-
take to the grim face. land now she'd
better 90 home" He rose from the bed.
He took the unharmed hand in his: "God
bless you child, now 60 home and 60 to
bed"
Paul lifted her in the sleigh and wrap
ped the robes about her.
It seemed as if they had known each
other a life time-she and Paul; as if they
could never be strangers to each other
again.
She held out her hand. 1t was the one
be had bound up. He took it tenderly in
both his own. The brave hand" he
said. bending over it in the darkness
1.-THE hand that saved life tonight"
There was to be bazaar to raise money
for the poor. Itopened the next evening.
The winter had been hard and cruel, and
charity exhausted-needed q
spur.
Vesey bad promised to tend q booth. 3
l"You must not think Of going" her faith.