Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-03-09


walls; with the bare boards of the floor
yawning, rising and falling uneasily; with
the dim light struggling through uncur-
tanned windows, that peered from under
| the caves like eyes from oyerhanging brows.
In one Of these windows, a forlorn canary
in broken cage-a brown little bird, with
ruffied, unkempt feathers - chirruped
| feebly, like moan. A low voice, in a
continuous murmur, fell upon Veseys ear.
II 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 again.
The little room became all at once like
a 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 forgot its moan.
The voice ceased. She heard his step
| upon the stairs. 1t 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. Vesey
| threw open the door. A swift line of light
ran all adown the bed. 1t burst into a
| flame, in the midst OF which the sick wo-
man struggled. The overturned candle at
her head told the story. 1t was an instinct
there was no time for thought-which
made Vesey drag the square Of carpet
from the floor and press 1t down upon 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 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 silent,
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.
els she dead." gasped Vesey, shrinking
from the bed.
He threw back the scorched blan.
ket that hid the motionless form.
"No, not dead; but / think she
has tainted Or the flames
| must 60 for doctor. Stay here if you
are not afraid. Oh hush hush!' to the
frightened girl; cit 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,--waiting,
watching the blackened mass, she dared
not touch. 1t was frightful, with that still,
white face shining out of the darkness.
Was il death? No; there was a 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
everpowered her when she heard his step
The grim-faced doctor behind him walked
straight TO the bed.
"There are no deep burns, think" he
The shock has done more than the fire. A
water, and some linen rags" There were
none. Vesey quietly held out her dainty
handkerchief "Hm!" he said, and tore
his own into strips.
"And now you?" He turned to Vesey
81 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 jagged knife
with blackencd edge. The flesh was
like flame. Paul's teeth shut quick and
tight together. Something sprang into
his eyes-not tears alone.
Then Vesey began TO tremble; and, con-
scious at last Of the cruel pain that bit
ard tore her hand, she sobbed like hurt
child.
Don't mind" she tried to say "Don't
look at me. It's only--only-" The
sobs swept all her words away.
Paul bathed her hand She remem-
bered afterwards how tenderer than any
womans had been his touch.
"Let her cry" said the doctor, in
voice that must have been given by mis-
take to the grim face "And now she'd
better go home" He rose from the bed
He took the unframed hand in his.
"She's brave girl" He looked away
from her to Paul; but still he held her
hand tight in his "God bless you, child.
Now 60 home and go to bed"
Paul lifted her into the sleigh and wrap
ped the robes about her.
"Shall go with your"
IF l can take you home"
ooh no; must go in here again"
"Then you need not"
1t seemed suddenly as if they had known
each other lifetime-she and Paul; as if
they never could be strangers to each other
again.
one nelu OUT UeT manu-. III WAS LIE OIc
he had bound up He took it tendcrly in
both his own "The brave, strong
hand" he said. bending over it in the
darkness" the hand that saved a life to-
night"
There was to be bazaar, to raise money
for the poor. 1t opened the next eve.
ming. The winter had been hard and
cruel, and charity-somewhat exhausted
needed spur.
Vesey had promised to tend booth.
"You must not think of going" her
father exclaimed. Darrel,-too, who fore
saw quiet hour with her alone, if he re-
NAMED at home. He had something to
tell--something to ask for, and q 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 well" she pleaded, tex
Cept 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 |;