Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-04-05
Gales aud Sketfhes.
Dawes OLD FRIENDS.
lcoNTISuEp FROM YESTERDAY. |

IRON rESTERDAf.i
Looking about, he saw Hannah seated
in the choir in pretty pink-lined bonnet ;
her eyes were intent on her notebook !:
she did not return his glance. At that
moment there was turning about Of
heads, rustic up the aisle, and Miss Sim
mons came sweeping up the centre in her
flowing silks.
"A magnificent woman!'' Mr.. David
thought, as he opened the pew door for
her. "A tall woman is queenly, whereas
Hannah always was little thing" He
glanced up toward the rose-lined bonnet
in the choir. "I'll speak to her after meet
ing" he said.
But after meeting Mr.. David was the
centre of a general hand-shaking, and rs
they walked out of the meeting house, and
up the leafy street, Miss Simmons lus-
trous raiment swept close beside him, and
Hannah, walking on the opposite side, did
not look at the two, not even when they
met face to face at the crossing.
He spent the evening at the squire's.
Mrs. johnson. having done her pious du-
ty for the day, reclined upon sofa. Miss
Simmons was very entertaining: Miss
Simmons was very agreeable: somehow
it grew to be eleven o'clock-a late hour
in the country-and still the visitor lin
gered.
The two drew near the curtained win
dow. Miss Simmons perfumed hair swept
very near her companions cheek. 1t was
nearing midnight, the hour of spells. A
large light glowed in Miss Simmons eye.
the red rose on her bosom shone splen-
didly. 1t was an alluring vision for a
plain lumberman; luxury of rest stole
ha folf hosn
nearer and nearer this raven of silks and
laces and perfume.
There is strange illumination in the
sky, isn't there?" said the lady. pointing
outward with her jeweled finger.
"You are llumined," said Mr.. David.
stupidity.
She laughed coquettishly. Not quite
so ruddiy, trust. Seer
True enough. A sinister bloom, rose
ate fever hue rested redly in the heavens.
solemn and portentous. Evidently there
must be a fire.
"I'll 60 down to the gate,n said Mr..
David, rousing himself, land see where
it is"
How absorbed he had been! The vii
lage bells at that moment rang out wild
peal; he could hear the tramp OF feet
along the road. A numbering engine
from Il neighboring town came creaking
rustily up the street. The whole place
was astir.
Where is the fire ?" he asked of man
running by.
"Dunno. Reckon you'll find out soon
as do. Heern it was in the little millin-
er's shop"
David was hatless; he forgot that. Da-
vid was leaving pleasant company in very
abrupt fashion; he forgot that. Fires are
very exciting things. He forgot all about
Miss Simmons. She was safe. whereas
A dense crowd gathered about the
street where the flames were making 81
lent headway. The engine was late. aud.
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 evil
denty gaining strength. and every wood
en- building in the neighborhood lOOmed
redly in the blaze, transformed from the
white peacefulness of yesterday, angry,
incendiary. threatening danger to the
whole town. The great tree in front 0f
IIannah's door cracked with fervent heat;
door and passage were enveloped IN
smoke and flame.
ANY one inside ?" asked Mr.. David.
as he saw the rustic faces upturned to-
ward the windows, intent, silent.
"Had herout once" said man. gruffiy,
"but she turned and went back like msd.
Job Winters is after her now."
There's some of Jones's youngsters
asleep in there, do believe" said anoth-
er; they're always hanging about the
place. Shouldn't wonder if they had
hand in this mischief"
David was used to peril he had been
up in the pine woods when the flames Cir
died them with fiery belt. What was
there in this small village confagration TO
make man turn sick and pale? He
pressed his way through the crowd to the
doorway.
Ware" cried voice; and at that mo-
ment the great beam over the shop win
dow fell with crash. There was cry
CcoScLupED ON roun9H rAss.1