Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-08-22

place in sheets OF flame; and after one
report, when tho heavens seemed 10
shrivel like a bit of burning parchment,
the bark OF the century-old elm in the
square where the little band played on
summer nights had been torn off in one
long spiral from top to bottom. and the
tree had answered tho bolt in a pillar OF
| fire. As the storm increased, Roger re-
membered Roses fear OF thunder, and
plunged out into it, determined that she
should moi be alone in such moment OF
absolute terror. The rain met him half
way, worse than any lightnings-A gray,
sitting down-pour. in which it was i'm
possible to draw his breath, and his only
refuge was TO take TO his heels and run
as fast as ever any Lsmpad ran a race.
She must have seen him coming, for
she set open the door, though she stood
| behind it. What made you leave shell
/ ter in such storm as Ihi-?" she cried.
and just then there came an overwhelm-
ing flash, the fire Oi which seemed to
/ penetrate her brain. She capped her
hands TO her face with sblick The house
rocked and The door swung and slammed,
and she fell iaintng upon the floor
/ When Rose came to herself. she was
lying on the lounge where Roger had
/ placed her, aud the storm was slowly
rolling off below the horizon. with now
and then smolhered growI, and the
ram MAS pstIcring only ~ thin showers,
which the lreshened breeze shook from
the vines and boughs. She sat up di-
rectly. and presently, as soon as she
found her feet, weut TO the window to
I look about The whole world seemed
sweet and rich and gliStening in the sun
set. with \ sort of delicious under-light.
and the birds were wild with music
Roger stood beside her at the window,
looking out into the enchanted atmOs-
phere. They were both silent; and just
then good old Mrs. Vance came up the
garden walk from her own adjoining
one. fearing Rose was alone, and not
having dared herself 10 come 10 her
/ before; and she staid to tea, and wanted
game OF criObage in the evening; and
when Roger came back from escort duty
to old Mrs. Vance, Rose just lifted the
candle flame between her face and his,
and saying goodnight. hurriedly. was
away TO her slumbers.
Roger went to his. that is to say, TO
his room. Sleep he could not. His
| thoughts were whirling al such rate
| with his emotions that he was wider
awake than ever before. He stepped out
on the old broken balcony of his window
aud watched the slow wheeling of the
consultations, and heard the tiny crack
/ ling sound OF leaves and rain drops and
pebbles in the garden, of some night
bird, maybe, tapping the bough. or else
oil the dead vine branch beating on
window pane. and he thought how hard
and bitter y thing was lite, and halt
cursed il; and then the vision OF Rose
would steal before him-the sweet smil-
ing face, the dimpled velvet cheek, the
shining eye, gentle motion. gentle spirit
and he said TO himself that il was
enough for any one TO live in the same
world with such thing as she.
AT length it occurred to him that this
was enough OF star gazing. Ii he were
ever TO Ge a maU, ii, 10 win her. even il
unable. he must cease his day-dreams
and work; and, 20 work, he must sleep.
lie returned 10 his room, and al at once.
as il something slung him at every pore,
he staggered back. What strange odor
was this? what strange atmosphere after
the cool night fragrance? The room was
full OF thick puD9ent cloud-it was the
smoke OF burning Fire! fire! firel" be
shouted. and sprang through the door
| IOI iOso IOoni Oui1 w OO h0s W oaNn
a strong turbid mass OF moving darkness
and noisomeness and sutfocation, as 10
stagger back again single moment be-
tore it. But almost Immediately he was
bounding through it. throwing open the
doors between, and all al once, as he
opened the third one, great binding
glare fell from above. and there was the
monstrous horror Of flame towering and
soaring. like an evil spirit that wiped
matters from existence.
But Roger did not pause TO think what
it was like; he only thought that ii was
sweeping through an upper floor. that in
moment the floor must fall, that he
must reach Roses room. The house had
been struck by lightning in the storm,
aud tie smouldering spark had been
making headway in the lonely upper
rooms all the delicioue summer evening,
all the time that be had been leaning on
his balcony drinking the bslmy air, all
the time that Rose had been folded in
her sweet slumber, all the time he had
been hearing that tiny crackle, and think
ing it was tho rain dripping from the
leaves upon the walk. Another momen,
and over its dull roar came cry, "Oh
Roger! Roger Oh, my dearest my
dearest where are your do you know
it?" And Rose, with cloak thrown over
her, burst through her door. and vas
. h, ~ b;e arms as he leaued down