The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-05-18

There was no time for thinking; so |
climbed in, lifted Matte in my arms, feel
ing her dress crumble in my hands a.
touched her and the horrible odor of burnt
hair rose in my nostrils, and saw her wild
and blackened face turned to mine.
"Dick, Dick - she gasped, "save mel
and then she tainted.
Fortunately was as much at home in the
house as in my own, and making for the
staircase through the flame and smoke,
reached it in safety but below me was what
seemed to be a iiercely blazing furnace.
recoiled for moment, but it was my
only hope, and recalled that the lower
floor was as yet untouched by the fire; it
was the one beneath me that was blazing so
luriously.
So, getting good tight grip of my treas
ure | rushed down the burning stairs, feel
ing them crackle and give way as | bounded
from one to the other.
1t was fiery ordeal; but in few sec.
onds was below the flames, aud reached
it, and fell.
If could but open it, knew we were
saved. But | was exhausted, and the hot
air caught me by the throat and seemed to
srangle me. ! raised my hand to the lock,
but it fell back. | beat feebly at the door,
but there was only the roar of flames to an.
swer me; and as | made one more supreme
effort, painting and struggling to reach the
fastening, was, as it were, dragged back
by the weight of the burden | still clasped
to my breast.
1t was more than human endurance could
DEAR and | felt that the end was near; and
to make my sufferings more poignant, Mat.
tie seemed to revive, struggling with me
for her life, as she kept repeating my name,
and clung to me, till
"Dick-dear Dick wake; pray, wake
Are you i'll ?"
started up, to find Matte clinging to
ME, and clasping her tightly to my heart, a
great sob burst from my breast as kissed
her passionately again and again, hardly
able to believe my senses.
ooh, Dick she painted, "you did fright
en- me so | couldn't stay to supper at the
Wilson's, dear for could do nothing but
think about your sitting here, alone, and
cross with me. So-so-so, | was so mis-
erable, Dick, and slipped away and came
home, to find you lying back here, painting
and struggling; you wouldn't wake when
shook you. Were you ill?
ooh no; not at ALL" said, as l kissed
her again and again, feeling now for the first
time sensible of a smart pain in one foot.
you've burnt yourself too, Dick look
at your foot"
1t was quite true: the toe of one slipper
must have been in contact with the fire; and
it was burned completely off.
"But, Dick-dear Dick" she whispered
nesting close to me, "are you very, very an
cry with your little wife for being such q
girl ?"
could not answer, only thank God that
my weak fit of folly was past, as l claspet
her closer and closer yet.
"Mattie," l whispered at last, in yer,
husky voice, "can you forgive me for being
so weak %
l could say no more for the hindrance OF
two soft lips placed upon mine; and Will,
they rested there | made vow ! hope
shall have strength to keep; for real trou
bles are so many it is folly to invent th,
false.
At last, when was free, took the ros,
from where it nestled in her hair, anc
placed it in my pocket book while, in an
swer to the inquiring eyes that were bent OF
mine, | merely said
''For memento of dreadful dream"
By the way, | never finished that pamph
let