The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-07-24

Anything seems possible in moment
of panic, especially if that panic
comes at night. Her heart seemed to
stand still for minute; then a sudden
flood of resolution camc to her. She
turned, left the room, ran downstairs
thinking, even in this moment OF
supreme excitement, that it was for
tunate she had not undresscd-and,
cropping her way through tho dark
house, managed to uubar ono OF the
dining-room windows, and let herself
into the garden. The whole thing
occupied such a short space Of time
that she saw scarcely any change in
state of affairs when she stepped out
into the open air. She did not stop to
wonder at the quietness which still
brooded over every thing, nor to ad-
miro the effect of the flames so vividly
thrown into relief against tho deep
purple sky. She sped swiftly down
one of tho paths which led to the
gate opening into the Devereux
grounds. 1t was as she reached this,
and laid her hand on the familiar
latch, that the first cry of "Fire p
rang out in the street; and, tho next
moment, the deep tones Of the alarm
bell began to sound.
"Thank God!" she said-but still
she held on her way, knowing that
succor could not como for sometime,
and that meanwhile the. fire might
render the escape of those within
difficult, if not dangerous. Quickly
she sped across the fowcr-bcds, quick
ly through the hedges and under the
dropping vines laden with odorous
blossoms. quickly across tho lawn
damp with clinging dew, quickly up
tho broad stone steps to the portico.
Then selling the bell-handle, she
pulled it violently again and again,
Still, no sound answered-though she
could hear it tinkling far away.
Good Heavens what can be the
matter!" she thought, turning round
to sec if no rescue was at hand. AS
she looked, she saw man come
dashing hurricdly over the lawn to.
ward her. The front gates were still
fastened, so that he had evidently
lcapcd the palings. AS he sprang mp
the steps, and they stood face to face
in the bright glow, she saw that it
was Kennon.
'Laurencc!" she cried.
"Alice % said le--in the tone OF
one overwhelmed with surprise.
But the next instant he remembered
himself and drew back stiffiy.
II beg pardon, Mrs. Inglesby. !
was surprised to SEQ you here; but !
suppose that, like myself, you wish to
rouse the inmates. Is it possible no
body is awake yct?'
"Nobody has stirred" she an
swcrcd. at seems to me exceedingly
strange! l am very glad you have
como. 7 saw the fire first" she went
on, quickly, TINY room is on this side
II left my father-in-law dressing
and-and-oh. pray ring the bell p
This confused speech did not sound
very much like the stately Mr.. Ingles-
by, but in truth kennon's dark eyes
were reading her face SO keenIy, and
she was so we'll aware that he was
wondering how she came to be awake
and dressed at such an hour of the
night, that her usual sclfposscssion
quite forsool her.
"Ring the bell !" she repeated,
sharply, as he still stood looking at
her. ''Surcly they must wake after
awhilc!"
Peal after peal at the bell, knocl;
after knock on the door producing no
effect, Kcnnon shrugged his shoulders.
"Dcvcrcux always slept like one of
the seven champions Of Christcrdom,' ~
he said, "and it is evident his servants
share the popularity. IF you'll stay
here, Mrs. Inglesby, I'll 90 round and
try to get into tho house another
way. This really does begin to look
serious!'
"Surcly the fre.company will be
here soon," said she, anxiousl y-very
anxiously, he thought.
"The alarm has just been given"
he answered. "They arc not likely to
be here very soon. L am afraid the
old house will certainly CO."
"Oh, what q shame-what pity !''
"Quito pity!' said he, phiIosophi-
cally.
"How are you going to get in ?''
she asked, as he turned away.
IL shall break q window of the con-
scrvatory," he answered, coolly.
Then he walked off, but when he
reached conservatory, he found,
much to his surprise, that she had
followed him.
eff you have no objection, l will 60
il, too," she said. II can wake the
servants, while you rouse Mr.. Dover
cux."
caro- you afraid to trust me with
him p asked he, with a sudden bitter
tone in his voice, sudden angry flash
in his eye. II have not taken de-
gree in assassination yet"
"You know better than that" she
answered. haughtily. "Mr. Devereux
is no more to me than any other &C.
quaintance whose lifo 1 desire to save
no more than one of his servants
But if the house is doomed, may be
able to save few valuables; and
since there is nobody else to do it,
feel it right to 90 in"
~ feel it right to tell you that
there's risk in it,"
"Scarcely just yet, think" @ .
lie glanced up at tho roof which
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