The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-10-27


d Esterre,"' he said. t'bnt am anxious to
resume the conversation you were com.
PEELED to interrupt. My cousin and I
will come after you in few minutes,
The messenger may. watt
I Pauline looked Lafled.
Eet"in turn, excuse me, Major Gordon.
Nina, one word in your ear. - q,
quickly, "Little stupid, it is your money,
not you, he wants With this parting
sting she hurried out of sight.
That long winding path between the
swect'scentcd syringa seemed to me the
road to Paradise that morning, as I walk
ed slowly and thoughtfully up to the
house, Hugh's Strong arm around me,
while his beloved voice, in low, earnest
tones, was telling me the tale of his love
---how he had known Pauline in Paris
some years ago, while I was yet child
and he too young to know. what real true,
love was; how be had been fascinated by
her for time, till he had found how un-
tworthy she was-.:till he felt that his love
for his child.cousin had grown to be the
hope and aim of his life.
And when, hidden by the laburnums
and lilacs, we halted in the path. and, at
his request, I reached on tip-toe to take
his dear brown head in my hands and
kiss him, as had done two years ago,
how proud was at that moment--.proud
Of my noble, handsome lover.
My joy was little clouded by the
remembrance that he was compelled to
be- absent all that day; bat, with such
sweet thoughts to bear me company, how
could be dull! Even Pauline's spiteful
speeches and innuendoes fell harmless ; if
she had truly loved Hugh, I could only
feel the deepest pity for her.
She had always slept in the same room
with me. felt little inclined for her
company that night, though at the same
time / could not easily invent an excuse
for departing from the usual custom SO
having undressed in silence, laid nv
happy head upon the pillow, and fell to
dreaming sweet dreams, in which my
endless paths, strcwn with roses, and
| UUIucIcu ny SOluctl UlOSSOWS
Suddenly, in the midst Of my dreams,
lit appeared that serpent raised itself
from among the crimson roses and Kissed
in my ear. I woke with a scream, to find
Pauline standing by the bedside. The
room was filled with . singular rosy
Hight, making every object in the room
as clear as by daylight.
could not hear distinctly what
She was saying, but her face Aid lips
were ashy white. and her eyes starting
from their sockets.
In another instant her voice pierced
my ear in words that sounded like pro-
longed shrek:
'Nina, awake.-.awake! The house is
on fire
| I raised myself upon my elbow, still
stupiied with sleep. I saw her rush
wildly about the room, selling her jewel
case, her desk---all that she could grasp
that was valuable. but could not rouse
myself:--I, seemed still to be in dream,
though now all was changed and chastity
Suddenly Pauline stopped and looked
fxedly at me---it was singular look,
and / never forgot it. can recall it now
as plainly and with as horrible distinct
ness as upon that dreadful night. at
first it was wavering, irresolute cx.
fpression...she moved halfway toward
me, ~ if with the intention Of rousing
me from my lethargy; then halted, and
la fixed determination and sternness set
tied upon her features. Once more she
grasped her treasures. then walked hur.
richly from the room, and heard the
door close behind her.
This seemed to break the spell that
Was upon Inc. darted from the bed
and flew to the window. It WAS fright
full scene. To the right of my bedroom
oil was in flames. A balcony which ran
along in frcnt Of five windows, of which
mine was the centre, had already caught
t-such ravagcs had the fire made before
lit was discovered.
Taking all this in at one wild glance,
| sprang to the door. Oh, heaven, it was
locked on the outside!
| shrieked, I raved, battered at the
door with my feeble strength till my
bands bled; but felt no pain.
Oh Pauline, Pauline, you must have
been mad with terror-you could not
have doomed me to such an awful death
Once more few to the window. The
scene was changed. Nearer and nearer
were creeping those awful tongues Of fire,
while below looked up sea of horror
stricken faces. CHASTITY in the lurid light.
| One figure alone could distinguish =
that of my lover carrying in his arms a
senseless figure. 1t was Pauline. Then
her words were true--she was the love OF
his heart, and he had flown to her in the
first moment of danger! Be it SO /; but
lstill life was so sweet-so sweet--and