The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-03-05

,'Clare, the house is burnlng-eome
quickly"
Bending over to shake his am; a
sickening smell of liquor greets her.
and the man mutterS and moves IN
his sleep.
His face is turned a little toward
her-that fair blonde face; how nat
ural!
1t is her old lover.
aLouis Northl O my God, Louis,
how come you here ?"
For moment she reels blindly,
then rallyiDg, seizes a pitcher from
the stand and dashes the contents
over him. He awakes with a gasp
and a shiver, and rising unsteadily to
his feet, excIaims in maudlin anger:
Come. now That's no-way't-gi'
geller-drink! She'd be gently n-stca-
dy:"
this the man she has loved so madly ?
O, what are the bitter years of wait
ing and weeping 10 the terrible suffer-
ings of this one dark moment.
"Louis, do you know me?" steady
ing him with her slender hands.
"Why's I'LL Barb! Gla-see.yer.
Barb gives (hic)! kiss?'
He reels toward her, butshe dasles
him back and looks him square in tie
face
"Iouis, il nothing else will bring
you to your senses, let me tell you
this house is burning to the ground,
and unless you exercise some will
power and follow me, there will be
nothing but q heap of ashes left Of
US by morning"
A little sobercd now by her ear
nest tones, he Strengthened himself
up, and pnt her one side; his answer
is somewhat clearer, but given, still,
with q drunken leer as he crosses over
to the door.
$50 much tho better, my dear.
We will perish in the flames together;
so romantic, you you! You are not
aware that 1 am something of a fire.
worshipper ?" and he swings the be-
fore her startled eyes-the key that
has locked them for life.
"Louis-Louls-you surely will not
keep us to our death! Give me that
key!"
With q half sob she springs to-
ward him, but he receives her with
arms, and draws her to
his breast.
"Couldn't give you that, sweet
hcart-I'll do anything else for you.
though. because I love you-l do
trulyW
His hot breath ssweeps her checks
rs he bends over her.
"For shame, Louis!" she cries,
to free herself from his
cruel grasp; then realizing how vain
her efforts are, she grows quiet, and
her face rests as white and still as
ucalu vi lllS SuOulOSl'
There is a pause in which cloud
Of smoke pours in at the window. She
looks up into the cleaning eyes above
her, but makes no outcry. There is
4 slight movement Of his lips, as
though he would press them to her
own, and his head drops over her.
But suddenly he opens his arms and
she is at liberty.
"Your pure lips shall not be con-
taminated, Barbara. l am a drunk
en- wretch"
He unlocks the door ann throws it
open. A tongue Of flame leaps from
another chamber, and a volume OF
smoke pours up the stairway: The
halls arc full of it. Already Baroa-
ra's breath comes gaspingly North
snatches blanket from the bed.
"Are you afraid of me, Barbara?
"Not now," she whispers.
I'll s:.vo you, little Barb" he says,
her in the blnnket. "Put
your arms about my neck. Hold fast,
now, and cover your face and mouth
from the smoke"
He lifts her easily in his arms, and
us the smoke holds back an instant
he springs for the stairway. A few
moments more and they are out in
the cool fresh air and away from the
crowd.
A slender youth comes to Barba-
ra's side and kisses her rapturously.
"Oh my sisterl Thank God you
are safe p
Then he turns quickly to her COM
panlon, but the eager light fades from
his face as he recognizes his sisters
faithlcss lover of three years before.
"Mr. North? t? We are greatly oblig-
cd to YOU" This cold and proudly:
"You are mistaken, Clare. 1t is |
who owe my life to your sister"
Then aside to Barbara, 81 must see
YOU. Do not refuse me. Tell me
when and where? ?"
"I shall be at my old homo after
tomorrow Stay-aftcr tonight, for
it is morning now. will see you
Tuesday evening at my home in
a."
"Thank you, I will come"
He fiushes q little beneath the gaze
of her clear eyes, and after offering
to assist them further, which offer
Clare declines haughtily, he bows and
walks away, with the ftful light fall
ing over the cleaning chestnut hair
and elegant figure.
Another September evening, but
Intensely warm for the season. The