Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-04-01
NO. 7s.

fought, and well nigh overcame-all in an
instant, that seemed hours to the girl who
threw herself upon the bed, smothering
the flames with her own weight.
They were conquered at last. The ST.
lent, breathless struggle was over.
''If some one would only bring light!
Oh dear what shall do !? Don't" to 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 moment, lamp in hand. 1t
was Paul -.
"Is she dead p'' grasped Vesey, shrink
ing from the bed 8dI
lie threw back the scorched blanket
that hid the motionless form. "No, not
dead; but think she has tainted. Or the
fames-I must 60 for docter. Stay
here, If you are not afraid. Oh hush!
hush y to the frightened girl; .'it is moth.
ing, hope. Get some water for the lady;
and sprinkle her face" he said to vesey.
Then he was gone. 493e4'
She did as he had told her,---waiting,
watching the blackened mass, she dared
not touch. Itwas frightful, with that still,
white face shining out Of the darkness
Was it death? T? No; there was faint
quivering of the eyelids-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 docter behind him walked
straight to the bed. r.a-t
There are no deep burns, l 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. Vesey quietly held out her dainty
handkerchief. Him :" be said, and tore
his own into strips.
"And now you?" He turned to Vesey.
Il have no burns Indeed she felt no
pain. The docter 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-
scous at last of the cruel pain that bit and
tore her hand, she sobbed like hurt
child
Don't mind,n she tried to say. Don't
| sobs swept all her words away.
ed afterward how tenderer than any wom-
ans had been his touch
'Iet her cry" said the docter, in a
voice that must have been given by mis-
take to the grim face. "And now she'd
better 90 home" He rose from the bed.
He took the unharmed hand in his. "She's
a brave girl" He looked away from her
to Paul; but still he held her hand tight in
his "God bless you, child. Now 90
home and 60 to bed"
Paul lifted her into the sleigh and wrap
ped the robes about her.
"Shall l go with you?"
''lf can take you homen
''Oh no; must 60 in here again"
Then you need not
1t seemed suddenly as if they had known
each other a lifetime-she and Paul as If
they could never be strangers to each 9TH
Ell again.
She held out her hand. 1t was the one
he had bound up. He took it tenderly in
both his own. 1.-The brave, strong hand!'
he said bending over it in the darkness
''the hand that saved a life today
V. #a
There was to be a bazar, to raise mon
ey for the poor. 1t opened the evening.
The winter had been hard and cruel, and
charity-somewhat exhausted-needed
spur. Nesey had promised to tend
booth.
You must not think of going" her
father exclaimed. Darrel,-too, who
foresaw quiet hour with her alone, if she
remained at home. He had something to
tell-something to ask for, and ring to
give. Alas for him He had kept his
words too long. A year ago they would
have been mamma to her heart,
but | am quite WE'LL" she pleaded
except my hand; and that has ceased to
pain me-" Indeed her face was radiant.
SO she dressed herself with quaint SIM
plicity in something soft and gray that
wrapped her like cloud, with only the
braids of her heavy hair for ornament;
only her shining eyes for gems. Then
she went and took her place. 5,a
The maidens from the Chinese pagodas
were all there Before them, in their gay
attire, the Queen OF Sheba, and even
Solomon the magnificent, would have
shrunk away abashed-their glory dim
med.
Vesey's nun-like dress was worse than
diamonds in their envious eyes. More gay
gallants than one paused to stare-to buy.
1T cools your eyes, you see, and rests
way of explanation.
The evening was half over Darrell
had been her shadow. She was tired;
tired of his eyes that followed her which
ever way she turned; tired of his flatter-
ing words; tired of him. He moved away
at last. Then, and not until then, she
saw Paul All the maidens plumed their
gay feathers as he walked down the hall.
But he came STRAIGHT tn her
Are you well enough to be here ?"
without a word of greeting, as though
they had not parted. "You frightened me
with your white face Just now"
II was tired. | want to go home"
"Will you go now ?' he asked quickly
Are you strong enough to walk'"
"Oh yes"
Then come
1t was strangely pleasant to be bidden;
to follow meekly.
They had reached the stairs descending
IN ha c,raat ,,han tboyr man narral Wins