The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-05-05


of time, and they would be safe. But Hot.
spur was failing. lie sprSng forward now
with rOnvulsivc bounds: his gallant limbs
trcmblcd beneath him; every breath wns a
short, gasping sob. Another mile---half a
mile! Oh, Heaven, have mercy The
scorching breath Of tile fire wasupOn them
they were in wt.irlwind Of dense, suffocat.
ing smoke. The horse stumbled at every
step he gnsped and mOaned like human
soul in extremity. Covered with foam and
trembling convulsively, he struggled on.
Little flames and eddies Of fire, heraldS oi
the horrors behind, crept among the tan
glcd grass.
Fred turned on the saddle and tried 10
draw Nancie's head down OH 10 his breast.
She made no resistance; but when he would
have hidden her eyes from sight, she lifted
them, clearly and un1inchinsly, to his.
Don't Fred---I can face death with open
eyes, she said; and, catching hold OF his
hand, she pulled il gently away. As she
did so great shower Of sparks, borne on
the fierce wind, fell around and over them.
'Oh, my darling, 10 think this should be
the end! he cried, dcspairingly, knowing
how very near it was now.
No, no, she cried, it is not the end
s'e.-we are close 10 the bluff! Oh, thank
Heaven, thank HcavenH And I'll pointed
to the towering rock, which rift in the
smoEs disclosed rising right before them
not fifty yards away. '0n, llotspur.--on,
good horse land more struggle-..on, on =
she shouted, enCouragingly.
Checred by her voice and hand, the brave
horse gathered all his strength for one tre-
mcndous effort and bounded forward with
frantic leaps. But il was m expiring
struggle. Ere ten yards were passed he fell
to the ground gasping and painting, his
brave spirit overcome ut last. Fred dragged
Nancie away, and, seizing her hand, began
running toward the bluff, 80 near now, so
near-..and yet one look back she gave. The
fire was close behind, fearful sight. The
licrtc heat scorched their faces, sparks Of
burnt grass, cane, and splintcrs Of wood icll
in showers about them. The stiiling, chok-
ing smoke half suilocatcd them, paralyzing
every nerve. On, on, with frantic, flying
feet; safety in front, death bchind.--antl
such death!
Leave me, Fred, gasped Nancie, family.
! can 90 no further. Tell them at home
---my iove---kis me once, Fred. She
dropped to tho ground with a choking sob.
With wild cry he caught her up in his
arms and staggered on. They were close to
the bluff now. A dozen steps and he gain
ed the foot Of the ascent. Stumbling, strlg-
Cling, painting, he pressed on up the face Of
the rock.
The fire rushed after him, sending out
long tongues Of flame as II 10 grasp lis
prey; it licked up the scanty heritage, and
ragged and roared in fierce fury. But few
more yards .
oh, Heaven, have mercy" Staggering,
dizzy, almost frantic, he struggled on, step
after step, step after step. One more! '0h,
shank Heaven, thank Heaven.-.safety at
last!
1t was terribly narrow escape. So close
had been the fire, so deadly the peril, that
it seemed Us il only miracle had saved
them. Half an hour aitcrwarf, when they
had recovered sufficient strength to struggle
onwardto the Red Ranch, they began to
realize to what an extremity Of danger they
were reduced. Their clothes looked ike
tinder and hung on them in shreds mud
patches. Nancie'S face was deadly white,
except ior vivid red scar down one side
of her cheek and neck, where II scorching
flame had caught it. Freds right arm was
completely disabled; his hands and face
were deep crimson in hue. The fire had
scorched him terribly.
As they crept slowly along, Fred looked
wistiuly into Nancie's face.
Did YOU mean it, Nancic" he asked,
gently.
Mean what? she said, her eyes dropping
shyly before his.
What you said while ago. Will you
kiss ne, Nnncie, my own lOve%
Yes she whispered, turning her sweet
face TO his.