New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-04-23


weighed and measured it and her, and had
cast both aside rs worthless. She thought
of it with burning cheeks.
With another winter came the Winsl0ws
If she had dreaded it, If she had feared fol
herself would it have been strangea But
the spell was broken. Looking back, she
wondered.
Outwardly the old intimacy was resumed.
Darrell came and went as he had come and
| gone the year before. But to Vesey it was
only shell-a hollow, heartless thing, that
never had been friendship, and could never
now be love. Paul, plodding along day
| after day in the round Of his duties, saw, as
though great way of, Vesey and Darrell
flying up and down the icy streets to the
| tinkle Of silver bells.
One night vesey, glowing in crimson,
with white chrysanthemums in her hair,
passed through the han. The outer door
was wide open. Paul stood outside. The
wind, raw and wet with the breath of the
seq, caught at her hair-at the silken ruf1es
of her dress.
"Oh, is it youl But you are coming inl''
She little knew how the 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 can not; am waiting for your father.
THERE'S family at the lower end Of the
the town starv-"
The words choked him. ''Thank you, not
tonight" he said. He had lOnged to meet
her again, like this-alone, and face to face.
But her light manner, her dainty dress, an
gered him tonight. He had come from such
different scene. Only o woman of the
world, after all, he thought. And vet so
had turned away and plunged into the cold
aud darkness. Darrell was waiting tor her
in the drawingrOOm. =,
"YOu're like poem tonight, in all that
ruby red-like IN Eastern song"
"Thank you," Vesey said, dreamily.
II couldn't imagine You in gray, he went
ON, half to himself, "Or in anything sOmber
or worn, or poor" He had begun to study
the girl in earnest new. Eyes, you are made
satin and diainOnds."
IS Is that all J" she asked, wistfully.
CANS Is that not enoughY 1t would sat-
isfy most. wOmen!"
But tonight it did not satisfy her.
Down at the beginning Of theaeng street
was black, iOw-browed house, like many
others here. with shop in the lower story,
OF, more properly, two, since one window
was occupied by matchmaker, and the
Of cotton and such small wares.
Above were two or three rooms with
slanting sides, where defolmed girl, a pitt
full looking sight to look at-lived with her
mother, earning enough by sewing to put
bread into their mouths and scanty clothing
upon their backs-no more. Vesey en-
ployed them; from pity, mostly, since her
work could have been better done else
where. She stepped out of the sleigh here
at dusk one night and ran up the stairs, a
roll of work in her hands. She had to wait
moment, SO she sat and talked with the
girl, who was young like herself, and vet
not like herself at ali. It made her happier
in the happy lot that had sometimes weariel
her. 1t made her thankful for her strong
young life, which she had never named
among her blessings, and it shot CLEAN of
pleasure through the. girls dark days.
1t was poor room with paper torn and
soiled, Of many patterns, upon the walls,
with the bare boards Of the floor yawning,
rising and falling uneasily; with the dim
light struggling through uncertain windows
that peersd from under the caves like eyes
from Overhanging brO*s. A low voice in q
continuous murmur fell upon Vesey's ear
1t seemed to come from the next room.
"Wbat is that"
''That mi" The girls pale face grew
bright. "It's the minister, Mr.. Hayes He
comes and prays with mother, now she's
The voice ceased. She heard his steps
upon the stairs. 1t was but second-he
could M have reached the street, when
shrek came from the room he had left.
The girl sat like one paralyzed. Vesey
threw open the door. A swift line of light
ran all adOwn the bed. It. burst into
fame, in the midst of which the sick
woman 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 Of car
pet from the floor and Press it down upon
the flames. They shot out into her face.
They seemed to catch away her breath
They licked her arm. They strove and
instant, that seemed hours to the girl. who
threw herself upon the bed, smother
ing the flames with her own weight:
They were conquered at last. The silent,
breathless struggle was over.
"If some one would only bring light
oh dear what shall dot Don't" to the
doomed girl who shrieked and called upon
her mother. Vesey had not heard the
strong step springing DIP the stairs-the
side her in a moment, lamp in hand. 1t was
Paul.
from the bed.
He threw back the scorched blanket that
hid the motionless form. mo, not dead,
but think she has tainted. Or the flames
l must 60 tor a:dOctOr. Stay here. if you
are not afraid. Oh, hush! hush !" to the |
frightened girl; lit 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 the still,
white face shining out Of the darkness. |
Was it death? No; there was faint quiv- |
erng OF the eyelids-that faint sign of |
returning consciousness feeble moan.
Then Paul came. Oh the rush of Joy, of |
binding tears, of sudden faintness, that |
0yerpowered her when she heard his step.
The faced doctor behind him walked |
straight to the bed.
"There are NO deep burns, think" he |
said at length. 1.-THE blanket saved her.
The shock has done. more than the fire. A
sponge; ah, they will do! Now some water |
and some linen rags" There were none. |
Vesey quietly held out her dainty handker.
chief "Humr' he said, and tore his own
into strips.
"And now, your He turned to Yesev.
81 have NO burns" Indeed. abe felf m
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 q
blackened edge. The flesh was like q flame.
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