The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-07-24
From Applcton's Journal.
Miss IlgleSby's SiStGl-il.LaV.
A STORY IN SIX CHAPTERS
BY THE AUTHOR OF "vALERIE AYL-
MEE," "MoRToN HOUSE," MABEL
LEE" ETC.
CHAPTER. VI

1t may be imagined that, with
thoughts such as these for her COM
panions, Mrs. IngIesby was little dis
posed for sleep. In fact, she still
paced her chamber long after the
other inmates OF tho house were
wrapped in quiet slumber-long after
even Roses white lids had sul.k over
her violet eyes. 1t was we'll on to-
ward two o'clock when, at last, she
suddenly stopped and made an impa-
tient gesture.
.>,''Things seem fantastic and unreal at
night" she said. "Somehow, they
arc always magniicd, and events or
feelings of really small Importance
assume gigantic proportions when
viewed at such time. [ know per-
fectly well that all these absurd scru-
pies on the one hand, these old, senti-
mental rccollcctions on the other,
will fade into absolute insignfcancc
tomorrow morning. Therefore, why
shohuld torment myself with them I?
Has the surprise Of the day unstrung
me? Am l mad that 1 don't see, not
only what could, but what l must,
do?
She walked abruptly across the
floor, and drew back curtain from
one of the windows-a window look
ing out over tho garden and toward
the Dcvcreux Aouso. The fragrant
stiffness Of the starlit summcr-night
seemed to como to her like Il soft ca
ress; there was not The funniest CLEAN
Of light anywhere, not tho funniest
sound Of moving liio-only the per-
fnme Of the flowers, the brightness Of
the stars, aud the dark outline Of the
stately roof cutting against the steel
blue sky. As she stood quite motion
less, she heard q clock, tar away in
the heart Of the silent town, striking
two; and ut that moment, almost as
if the stroke had been a signal, q wild
glare of flame burst forth from the
hitherto dark and silont Dcvereux
House.
For an instant, Alice stood pctri-
fed, absolutely doubling the evidence
Of her senses, and chained to the spot
by sheer amazement; bnt this inaction
did not last moro than an instant.
She was q woman Of rare GOODNESS
and presence of mind, and she real
lied at once that, owing to the lateness
Of the hour, the flames were likely to
make fatal headway before any one
was reused in the quiet neighborhood.
She could SEQ that the fire had burst
forth in the kitchen wing of the
house. If the alarm was given i'm
mediately, therefore, it might be pos
sible to save the main building. She
sprung from the window. and, running
hastily down the corridor on which
her chamber opened, she was soan
laundering vigorously at Colonel In
glcsby's door.
"What's the matter? Who the
deuce is that?" cried startled voice
within.
at is I-Alicew sho answered.
"Mr. Devereux's house is on fire The
alarm ought to be given at once Oh,
sir, pray-pray get up!"
Colonel Itglesby needed no further
adjuration. She heard him say, "The
devil /" and mako one spring to the
floor. "I'll be there in minute" he
answered. Grouse the servants, AL
ice Send somebody to knock 'cm
up over there. Where did the fire
burst out? Has no alarm been
given ?"
II have not heard q sound" she
replied. "There are never any police,
men in this part of the town, and
everybody scoms asleep. The glare
must waken them soon, however"
ssIs the fire serious
every serious, l should think"
She waited to say no moro, but hast
ened back to her own room to sec
how matters were progressing. Even
in these few minutes, tho fire had
gained considerably; but tho house
itself was yet wrapped in utter still.