Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-04-07
Tbev were conquered at last. The silent,

/ They we're conquered at last The silent
breathless struggle was over. :.
eff some one would only bring light
Oh dear what shall I do Don't" to tn
= deformed girl, who shrieked and called up
on her mother. Vessy had not heard tn
strong step springing up the stalrs-sn'
opening of the door. Some one STOOD DC
side her in moment, lamp in hand. L
was Paul.
lis she dead p gasped Vesoy, shrinking
from the bed.
He threw back the scorched blanket tna
hid the motionless form. mo, not oeao
but [ think she has tainted
| Or the flames must 60 for doctor
lStav here If YOU are not afraid. Oh hush
hush p to the frightened girl; 1t is notn
| ing, hope. Get some water tor the lady
and sprinkle her fac )" he said to Y esey.-
Then he was gone.
She did as he had told her waiting
watching the blackened mass, she dared not !',
touch. It was frightful, with that STILL
white face shining out of the darkness
Was it death No there was faint quiV'
.ering of the eyelids first sign OF II, re-
turning consciousness feeble moan. Then
Paul came Oh !! the rush OF JOY OF plina,
tears, of sudden faintness, that overpo"eieo
her when she heard his step. Inc grim
faced doctor behind him walked straigh' 10
the bed -,
rThere are no deep burns, | think, he
said at length 'eThe blanket saved ner'
The shock has done more than the fire. "A
sponge-ah, that will do Now some wa
ter and some linen rags" There were
none. Vescy quietly held out her DANNY
his own into strips
"And now a,ou % He turned to Vesey.
II have no burns.'' Indeed she felt no
main. The doctor raised her hand, and held
it out to Paul. The sleeve was cut away
from her wrist as by jagged knife with a
blackened edge The flesh was like flame
Pauls teeth Shut tight and quick together
Something sprang into his eyes-not tears
alone gi gjta
Then Vesey began to trsmble and con,
scious at last of the cruel pain that bit ana
tore her hand, she sobbed like a hurt ch'ld.
| "Don't mind,' she tried to say. Don't
look at me. It's only-only- Ihe
sobs swept all her words away.
| Paul bathed her hand. She remembered
afterwards how tenderer than any woman's
had been his touch.
''Let her cry" said the doctor, IN voice
that must have been given by mistake to the
grim face. s'And now she'd better 60
home" He rose from the bed. He took
the unframed hand in his. g She's brave
girl" He looked away from her to Paul
but still he hsfd her hand tight IN his. =
GOOD bless you, child Now go home and
go to bed"
Paul lifted her into the sleigh and wrap
ped the robes about her.
1t seemed as if they had known each
other lifetime she and Paul as if they
could never be strangers to each other again
She held out her hand. It was the one
he had bound up He took it tenderly in
both his own 'sThe brave, strong hand p
be said, bending over it in the darkness
s.the hand that saved life to night"
There was to be bazaar, to raise money
for the poor. It opened the next evening
The winter had been hard and cruel; and
charity somewhat exhausted-needed
spur.
Vesey Lad promised to tend booth.
s'You must not think of going" her IA
Their exclaimed Darrel-too who forcsaw
quiet hour with her alone, if she remained
at home He had something to tell--some-
thing 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 I am quite well" she pleaded, eek
cept nay 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 Ikea cloud, with only the
braids Of her heavy hair for ornament on
ly her shining eyes for gems. Then she
went and took her place
The evening was half over. Darrell had
been her shadow. She was tired tired of
his eyes that followed her whichever way
she turned tired Of his fattering words
tired of him He moved away at last Then,
and not until then, she saw Paul. He
came straight to her.
care you we'll enough to be here ~ with
out word Of greeting, as though they had
not parted 'sYou frightened me with your
white face just now"
II was tired wanted to 60 home
"Will you 60 now 2 he asked quickly
ssAre ysu, strong enough to walk p
sob yes"
"Then come"
1t was strangely pleasant to be hidden
, to follow meekly. sr. af ss--.
, They had reached the stairs descending
to the street when they met Darrell Wins
, low
''Vesey where are you going p HI
scowled and nodded at Paul.
, "Home."
But it is beginning to rain, and you hav
u no cloak Go back and I'll get the CARR
age He laid his hand upon the wrap owe
Paul's arm. Paul looked at Vesey VIVA
/ did he read in her face ?
f '.Let Miss Welles decide" he said in
= hard strange voice. He was trying to b
i calnl-to keep his hands from this man VIII
:: had suddenly come between them. FL
turned to Vesey again. His face was yer
q pale his eyes were full Of pleading. Thin
a moment Will you ride with him, or wi
e you walk with me p ..........
g She did not speak. She only smiled an
. laid her hand within his arm.
He would have been more than hannah
have kept back the triumph his eyes.
Darrell started then wheeled and lei
" them
: "But think moment. Paurs voic
= grew more gentle now cit will he ions
-. long road--a road that has no turn"
i ~ ;, !,