Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1872-01-03
CHAPTER Ky.
ANAHaow EscAPE-coNcLtsI0N.

CHAPTER Ky.
ANAHRow EsCAPE- CONCLUSION.
The roof Of the left wing had fallen in.
Had he yet been in the nther room,
death v-ould have been inevitable. As
it was, the fire, eXulting in liz triumph,
belched forth, and rolled on towards the
Baronet and hi- companions, eager for
fresh conquest.
But their human prey 'Sas 10 6o pluck
ed from them. The cry had been heard
by tile gamekeeper, who had maintain
ed his place brsveIy on the stairs; and
speedily, with the assistance Of the fire
men, the two were carried from the
building
When the Baronet came TO, he found
himself extended On the cool grass, un-
der ths tir-trees. His gaze first rested
on the honest anxious face Of Richard
Maybrook, bent over him; then it turn
ed towards Pend5rleith, The firs was
extinguished. The Left wing was ruin
Of glowing and blackened embers.
They have got it under, then? he said
as he sat up.
Yes, Sir Gerard. It's only the left
wing gone, after eli; but you've had
harrow escape.
Truly, think Ihave. Iimagine that
owe my being here to you, Maybrook.
am indebted TO you for life.
No, Sir Gerard. I have but poorly
paid debt of long standing, rejoined
the gamekeeper, respectfully.
Poorly! Nay, with interat, remark
ed mis- MASTER laughing. But Lady
/ PendeFleith-she, too, Is saved, Is she
not?'
Yes, Sir Gerard.
Where is she?
Her doctor, who VAS on the spot, Sir
Gerard, has taken her to mis- house, it
being nesrest; and she needed immedi-
ate advice.
Iknow il, my good feilof, replied the
Baronet, noting the other's hesitation.
Her ladyship is mad.
She is. Sir Gerard. The doctor said
the fright had unseated her reason.
( Yes; she was mad when I saved her.
She has been, added the Baronet, men
tally mad sH her life. This IS but the
climax. Where are our horses, May.
brook?
! Within few yards of US. Sir Gerard.
Then we will return to Rosedeu. ]
can do no further good here, and they
will be impatient for news at home.
/ Roseden was soon reached, and, wait
ing at the door, stood Alma. With q
cry of alarm at the sight of his blacken-
ed face and scorched clothes, she rush
ed into her husbands arms, ,exclaiming,
Oh, Gerard, what has happened7 You
are hurt.
No, darling; not in the least. There
is no further harm done, assure you,
than what soap and water can curel he
laughed
/ And--and-my mother? she inquired,
anxiously iuterrogating him with hel
eyes as well as her lips.
/ Il saved, dearest.
Sir Gerard saved her, my lady, broke
In Richard Afaybrook, at the risk of his
own life.
My noble, generous husband. eXclaim,
ed Alma, placing her arms about hi;
neck, and kissing his blsckeued face
Truly, my mother must forgive yor
now.
1 fear not, darling; the time for pardon
is passed. / shall never be forgiven by
her ladyshir. Come in, dear; will tel
you all
Little more remains to be told. The
insanity, which had during her life dis
played itself in violent and ungoverna
hle outbursts Of passion, and had lei
Lady Penderleith to act az che had, va.
wrought to climax b. the horrors o
the fire. and she was declared incurabIy
mad. Whether she had Intentionally
caused the confagration was a ,nystery
never solved.
The sai5 OF the estate Was, Of course
stopped. The Objectionable boards sig
nifying the separate lots, which had 5,
,, ifrltsted Mrs. Lyle, were removed, ant
Sir Gerard entered Penderleith its mss
, ter by right OF his wife.
A suite Of rooms was set aside for he
; ladyship, and every care and kindnes
was lavished upon herr but, before III
year had elapsed, she had ceased TO eX
! lat. Her reason never once returne
before her death; and, to the last, tn
woman whom she regarded rs the caus
of her sighted love was never Scrgiy
en-.
THE END.