The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1873-01-31
[coScLuDED FROM FIRST PAGE

meeting house were thrown open,
the BIG trees waving close to the
high, old-fashioned windows, the
swallows twitteriug, the breeze
wandering in from the near clover
field, just as in old times when Dave
sat, in ,S'unday rig, doing in the
gallery
Looking about lie saw Hannah
seated in tie choir in a pretty pink
lined bonnet her eyes were intent
on her notebook; she did not re.
turn his glance. At that moment
there was a turning about of heads,
a rustic up the aisle, and Miss Sim
mons came sweeping up the centre
in her flowing silks.
"a magnificent woman," David
thought, as he opened the pew door
for her. "A tall woman is,queenly.
whereas Hannah always was a lit
tie thing" He glanced up toVard
the rose-lined bonnet in the Choir.
"I'll speak to her after meeting," he
said.
But after the meeting David was
the center Of a general hand-shak-
ing and as lie walked out Of the
Westinghouse, and up the leaty
street, Miss Simmons lustrous raj
ment 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
Squirrels. Mrs. johnson, having
done her pious duty for the day,
recIined upon the sofa. Miss Sim
mons was very entertaining Miss
Simmons was very agreeable. Some
how it grew to be eleven o'clock
a late hour iii the country-and still
the visitor fingered.
The two drew near the curtained
window. Miss Simmons perfamed
hair swept very near her compan-
ions's cheek. 1t was nearly mid
night, the hour OF spells. A strange
light glowed up III Nss Simmons
eye, the red rose on her bosom shone
splendidly. 1t was an alluring Wis
ion for plair lumberman; lux
ury of rest stole over him he felt
himself being drawn nearer and
nearer this haven of silks and laces
and perfume.
"There's a strange illumination
in the sky, isn't there r. said the
lady, pointing outward with her
jeweled finger.
You are illumined," said Mr..
David stupidity.
She laughed coquetishly. "Not
quite 50 ruddily, ! trust. See"
True enough. A sinister bloom,
a roseate fever hue, rested redly in
the heavens, solemn and portentious.
Evidently there must be q fire.
"I'll go down to the gate,' said
Mr.. David, rousing himself, 'and
see where it is.'
How absorbed he had been! The
village bells at that moment rang
out a wild peal; he could hear the
tramp Of feet along the road. A
numbering engine from a neighbor- |
ing town came creaking rnstily up
the street. The whole place was
astir.
"yhere is the fire % he asked Of
a man running by.
"Dunno. Reckon you IL find out
as soon as do, Iieem it was in
the little milliner's shop"
David was hatless; he forgot
that. David was leaving pleasant
in very abrupt fashion; he
forgot that. Fires are very excit-
ing things. He forgot all about
Hiss Simmons. she was safe,
whereas
A dense crowd gathered about
the street where the flames were
making silent headway. The en-
gine was late, and, little used, was
long in getting under way. Mean
time 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
loomed redly in the
blaze, transformed from the white
peacefulness Of yesterday, angry, IN