Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-12-20

trous rament swept close beside him, and
Hannah, walking on the opposite side, did
not look at Che two, not even when they
met face to face at the crossing.
lie spent tho evening at the squire's.
Mrs. johnson. having done her pious duty
for the day, reclined upon a sofa. Miss
Simmons was very entertaining. Miss
Simmons was very agreeable; somehow il
grew to he eleven o'clock-a late hour in
the country-ard still the visitor fingered.
Tho two drew near the curtained window.
Miss Simmons perfumed hair swept very
near her tompanion's check. II was near
ing midnight, the hour of spells. A strange
light glowed in Miss Simmons eye, the
red rose on her bosom shone splendidly.
It was an alluring vision for plain lum-
herman; luxury Of rest stole over him
he felt himself being drawn nearer and
nearer this haven of silks and laces and
perfume.
"There is strange illumination in the
sky, isn't thero?" said the lady, pointing
outward with her jeweled finger.
"You are ilumined." said Mr.. David,
stupidity.
She laughed coquetishly. mot quite so
ruddily, trust. See ~ ~
True enough. A sinister bloom, rose
ate fever hue, rested redly in the heavens,
solemn and portcntous. Evidently there
must he fire.
"Tl'go down to the gate" said Mr.. Da-
vid, rousing himself, land see whore it is"
How absorbed he had beenl The village
bell at that moment rang out wild peal !;
he could hear the tramp of feet along the
road. \ numbering engine from neigh
boring town came creaking rustily up the
street. The whole place was astr.
"Where is the fre?" he asked of man
running by.
Dunno. Reckon you'll find out as soon
as l do. Heern il was in the little mllin-
er's shop
David was hatless he forgot that. David
was leaving pleasant company in very alb
rupt fashion he forgot that. Fires are
very exciting things. lie forgot all about
Miss Simmons. She was safe, whereas
4 dense crowd gathered about the street
where the flames were making silent head
way The engine was late, and, little used,
was long in getting under way. Meantime
buckets of water were being passed from
hand to hand. 1t was slow work-very
slow work the fire was evidently gaining
strength and every wooden building in the
ncighborhood loomed redy in the blaze,
transformed from the white peacefulness of
yesterday, angry, inccndiary, threatening
danger to the whole town. The great tree
in front of Hannah's door cracked with
fervent heat door and passage were en-
vclopcd in. smoke and flame.
"Anv one inside ?" asked Mr.. David, as
he saw the rustic faces upturned toward
the windows, intent, silent.
"IIad her out once,' said a man, gruilly,
'but she turned and went back like mad.
Job Winters is after her now.'
"Theres some of Jones's youngsters
asleep in there, do believe" said anotheri
"they' re always hanging about the place.
Shouldn't wonder if they had hand in
the mischief
David was used to peril he had been NJ
in the pine woods when the flames girdled
them with a fiery belt. What was there in
this small village connagration TO make Q
way through the crowd 70 the doorway
"Ware r. cried voice and at that mo
mcnt the great beam over the shop window
fell with 4 crash. There was a cry that the
wall was falling, and Job Winters, in his
iiroman's cap, appeared amidst the shower
of falling timber, and was let down rope
In the confusion Mr.. David was dragged
stunned and dizzy, from the center Of dan
ger, and flung out of the way on the Other
side of the great tree. \ dead faint seemed
fallen upon him. Presently n sound a
reused him-a stir, strange excitement Il
mong the crowd, n hum almost rising TO
huzza.
Beside him under the great tree stoo.
a little woman, her IA @ blackcned will
smoke, her raimont burned to shreds 10y
either hand she held a barefoot, terrified
lad, scarce yet awake from stupeiyin!
sleep.
"By the Lord, but you're brave littl'
woman |" cried Job Winters, snged anC
smiling. ~ thought you buried under tn
timbers for sure. How ever did you do il?'
ooh, job, trust n woman's wit for that
Why, climbed out through the backyard
and was scramblng over the fence will
the boys when the wall fell. Are you hurt
David ?" she asked, taking up tin cul
and sprinking his face with water. How
calm and quiet she was, as If it were tn,
most natural thing in the world that the,
should be together in trouble !
What had brought Mr.. David Dunhan
down there? lie had done nothing to hell
any body; instead Of that he was beini
helped himself. lie felt lame, aud bruised
and humiiated." Hannah" he said, &c
Hannah, thought you were dead =
"Not l." said Hannah, bithely. "Tu
too full of business to think of it. And tn
ire is getting under, thank God and tn
boys are safe. Poor little Jimmy you
shayings and matches for boiling Aun
Hannahs kettle to morrow had like t.
have cost you dear"
"But, Hannah, you have lost every
; thing"
"Hush don't speak Of il now. hav
not lost faith in myself"
"But you have in me-
David looked wistfully Mt the scarce
. face of the little woman, her SHREDDED gar
menls, her quiet, luminous eyes. She stoo
in the fading blaze that had consumed al
her possessions, shining like an angel.
"only one thing l will say, Hannah W
are old friends, and old friends may spea
their minds to each other, may they not?
81 suppose SO, David bat the boys ar
, drenchel through, and If you are able
walk"
, "Just one word, Hannah. Where is Tia