Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-05-20

that took place respecting Kathleen.
This however, I was not able long to
do, for the next morning Mr.. Fortes
cue gave me notice Of his intention to
leave directly he could rise from the
bed upon which his unnatural passion
had thrown him.
But that night the climax came.
1t was about two in the morning,
when l was awakened by terrible
smell of FIRE.
Accusing John, we went into the
passage, to find it full Of smoke.
"Merciful Heavens /" I cried, sthe
house is on fire |"
1t was SO.
We thought Of bur dodgers, and
strove to ascend to them, but were
driven back by volumes of dark smoke
rushing down though which the red
glare Of fame was visable. af
The fire was in Mr.. Fortescue's
rooms. s
"Oh, poor Miss Kathleenl Ishrieked.
"Helpl helpl'' IN
l threw the street door open, and
filed the place with my cries for assist
lance. e.
l was soon Joined in the appeal by
Mr.. Fortescue and his niece from the
upper window. They had evidently
tried the stairs, and found it imposs;-
BILE to descend.
John had just run off to the engine
station, when, from the opposite direc-
ton, perceived a man coming toward
me.
l recognized him at once.
ooh Mr.. Airlie, thank Heaven it is
you !" calculated.
"Good Heaven what is the matter?"
he asked.
l began to tell him, but the form of
Kathleen Milbrooke at the window re-
lated it quicker than words.
In second her cousin had darted
into the burning house.
followed, but already he had van
ished up the stairs.
Gone, two minutes, and, blackened,
burnt, he was back with Kathleen Mil
brooke
"Oh, dear Richard! she cried, .My
uncle +
''Do not fear; will save him if pos
.sible, darling" he answered, again dis
appearing amid the smoke.
Three, four, five minutes it seemed
now before he descended, with the old
man wrapped in the coverlet, and
clinging wildly round his sons neck.
We hore him into the open air, for
he seemed half sufocated and paialyz-
ed with terror. Mr.. Airlie rested him
on the pavement, supporting him on
his knes but Mr. Fortescue would not
unclasp his arms from him.
His eyes were closed.
The crowd gathered. babe them
keep back. The fre-engine ratified
up, but l could not leave that group.
Abruptly Mr.. Fortescue looked up,
and his eyes rested upon the blackened
features of Mr.. Airlie.
He started violetly, then exclaimed
Orchard! Waa it you, then, who
saved me 2"
81 was so fortunate" be answered,
quietly.
"You are in no danger now, sir.
There was pause. The old man
never removed his gaze.
Then saw great change come over
his features.
Rich@rd," he said, in q low voice,
''can you forgive :"
eyes, father; but rather ask it of her
and be pointed upward.
II dol have, when in yonder aw-
full room. Mary, pardon, he muir
INJURED, lifting his eyes. Afterward he
added, anxiously: "My wlll-my will
it is there burnt! Thank Heaven for
that" ......
He made an effort to turn toward
the burning house, and in the effort fell
back on his sons shoulder, dead.
have no more to say. The will be
ing burnt, of course Richard Fortes-
cue alias Airlie, succeeded to his
fathers property, and also married his
cousin, Miss Milbrooke. .5.
They now reside in Devonshire, aud
when we pay visit there-which we
do frequently-we always are sure of q
hearty welcome from the family OF
our Secondhoor Lodger.'
THE AGE OF HUMBUGs.-A lady
living on Park Place sent her boy to a
drug store with tin pail the other
day to get quart of soda water, and
when he returned and she tasted it she
leaned over gate and said to neigh
Dor:
"Well, I've about come to the con