Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-06-26
NO. 145.
HASTY CONCLUSIONS.

HASTY CONCLUSIONS.
lCoNTINUED FROM YESTERDAY.
One evening, at dusk, he was warned
TO proceed early the next morning to an
adjacent fort some miles distant, to bring
back deserter. On his arrival at his des-
tination, he was detained two days on &C.
count OF mans sickness. To kill time
ne was listlessly turning over some old
copies OF the Times the officers of the de-
tachment had given the men, when the
following advertisement, in the second
column, startled him -
| SHOULD this meet the eye of w. B., he
is earnestly requested to return to his
home. All will be fully explained and
atoned for by Grace and her father.n
| What could it possibly mean?
The mail for England was going out
from the detachment that day; and, writ
ing short letter, he briefly indicated his
present position. With renewed hope, his
half-buried love for Grace returned
stronger than ever.
Six long weeks, and the long-looked-for
letter came. A loving epistle from Grace
set forth the cause of her fathers harsh
ness.
"And now," the letter went on to say,
you must know, the morning you left, he
received communication, stating some
bonds were missing, and forged cheque
had been found in your desk. Imagine,
then what must have been fathers feel
ings! You were innocent, as the sequel
proved; for the crime was eventually
traced home to one of the clerks, who has
since paid the penalty of his dshonor, bv
penal servitude. And now, dear Walter.
pray come home at once: father will
atone, in every way, for his unjust con-
duct to you"
Then the usual conclusion caused the
heart OF Walter to beat happily. The i'm
age of his souls idol-the faithful Grace
rose before him, and made him eager to
start for home but the usage of the SER
vice rendered that for some weeks impOs-
sible. However, he wrote home at once.
thanking her for her loving letter, and
trusting he should have the happiness of
again beholding her ere many months had
elapsed.
Wind blows cold across the marsh to-
night. sir y
at does; but-by Jove they are not
cold over there Look how that fire ra-
gesr'
Walter was travelling by express from
Liverpool to Burnside. The words of his two
fellow-travellers caused him to look round
in the direction indicated. The next sta
ton would be within Il few hundred wards
OF his home, and he was picturing to HIM
self the happy and smiling face Of Grace,
ready to give him welcome, on the plat.
| form.
About half mile ahead was the old
house where he had spent so many happy
days, fast being devOured by the raging
element. Never did train seem to 90 so
slowly; but it went on its even course,
and in few minutes more, Walter Bar
nard was rushing wildly across the fields
There was no mistake. Too truly the
flames were playing greedily around the
home of his childhood. The engines
seemed to be of little avail and as he APP
preached the scene of conflagration, he
could plainly discern man descending a
ladder, bearing in his arms, apparently,
the inanimate form of a woman.
Walter felt it to be Grace thus rescued
from so dreadful q death, and he offered
up heartfelt prayer for her preservation
And now shout arose from the crowd
assembled, and Walter saw that the lad
der, burning some distance from the top,
had given away, but the man, with his
burden, had by this time reached the
ground in safety.
Darling forward, he beheld, not the face
of her he loved, but that of total stran-
ger.
The words of the fireman, who had lust
descended, came upon his ear like death
knell:
Il couldn't find the young lady any
where"
"See!" shouted people in the excited
crowd "Up there-lookr - ..s.
Above, in the topmost room, appeared
Grace Maybe. signaling to those below to
save her from the imminent danger in
which she stood.
A reyulsion of feeling now came over
Walter Barnard. He was comparatively
calm and collected, and felt if he could
not save Grace, at least he could perish
with her.
"Hi you there, bring that ladder round
here"
The loud, clear tones so distinct from
the frantic shouts of the crowd, caused a
moments hush, and curious faces turned
round to look at the soldier before unno.
ticed.
| NOW tnen, look Snarp
The men obeyed, wondering of what
avail would be the ladder that would
reach little more than half way up.
Now some rope.''
When it was brought, Walter securing
one end to his arm, coiled the remainder
round his shoulder quickly, and ascended
the ladder, the top of which was fitted
near water spout, running at an acute
angle for the distance of about eighteen
. feet.
; To climb along the spout with hands and
feet was not matter OF so much difficulty
as contendng with the rugged brickwork
that tore his hands at every fresh grip.
Meanwhile, the crowd below were haz
arding conjectures as to the durability o.
: the pipe to bear the strain; and now tn,
intensity of their excitement was increase,
as the climber came to pause.
|. Walter, in placing the ladder. had over
!. looked the fact of the pipe abruptly termi
mating, by passing through the brickwork
and yet distenceof about eight feet NOR
had n he ovarrop,o ap1 the A. ,,,os l..