Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-03-17

Ior the rareSt ana best, VeSey; to
shine In satin and diamonds!"
Satin and diamonds! Vesey re-
membered the man she had left at
the door. He was out in the winter
night among the hungry and naked
now, she knew. She had caught
his halfiuttered sentence. And she
was made for satin and diamonds!
els that 0W?" she asked wistfully.
"All? Is not that enough? 1t
would satisfy most women"
But tonight it did not satisfy her.
Nv.
Down at the beginning of the
street was black, low-browcd
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 a de-
formed girl--a pititul object to look
at-lived 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
done better elsewhere. She stepped
out OF her 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 yet not like herself at
all. 1t made her happier in the hap
py lot that had sometimes wearied
her. 1t made her thankful for her
strong, young life, which she had
never named among her blessings,
and it shot a CLEAN ofpleasure thro'
the girls dark days.
1t was poor room, with paper
torn and soiled, and Of many pat
terms, upon the walls; with the bare
boards of the floor yawning, rising
and falling uneasily; with the dim
light struggling through uncurtain-
ed windows that peered from under
the caves like eyes from overhang-
ing brows. In one of these win
dows, forlorn canary, i'll a broken
cagc-a brown little bird with ruff
fed, unkempt feathers-chirruped
feebly, like moan. a low voice in
continuous murmur fell upon
Vesey's ear. 1t seemed to come
from the next room.
"What is that?"
''That 'm?" The girls pale face
grew bright. "It's the minister,
Mr.. Hayes. He comes and prays
with mother, now she's sick" The
light died down.
The little room became all at once
like church, solemn and still, as
the low voice rolled on and on, like
river far away. The girl laid
down her work. Even the bird for
got its moan.
The voice ceased. She heard his
step upon the stairs. 1t was but a
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. "A swift line light
ran all adown the bed. 1t burst in
to a flame, in the midst ofwhich the
sick woman struggled. The over
turned candle at her head told the
story. Itwas an instinct-there was
no time for thought-which made
Vesey drag the square of carpet
from the floor and press it down up
on the flames. They shot out into
her face. They seemed to catch
away her breath. They licked her
arm. They strove and fought, and
well nigh overcame-all in an in
slant, that seemed hours to the girl,
who threw herself upon the bed,
smothering the flames with her own
weight.
They are conquered at last. The
silent, breathless struggle was over.
"If some one would only bring a
light! Oh dear! what shall l do?
DON'T" to the deformed girl, who
shrieked and called upon her moth
er. 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.
as she dcad?" gasped Vcsey,
shrinking from the bed.
He threw back the scorchcd blank
ct that hid the motionless form.
"No, not dead; but l think she has
tainted. Or the tiamcs-I must go
for doctor. Stay here, if you are
not afraid. Oh hush! hush!" to the
frightened girl; ''it 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 hcr-wait-
ing, watching the blackened mass,
she dared not touch. 1t was fright
ful, with that still, white face shin
ing out of the darkness. Was it
death? No; there was faint quiv-
ering of the eyelids-that first sign
Of returning consciousness feeble
moan. Then Paul came. Oh! the
rush of joy, of binding tears, of sud
den faintness, that overpowered her
when she heard his step. The grim
faced doctor beheld him walked
straight to the bed.
"There are no deep burns, think, y
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 was none.
Vesey quietly held out her dainty
handkerchief. "Hm!" he said, and
tore his own into strips.