The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-12-05

some one; and as a slight womanly
form, followed by another muffied fig
ure, emerge from the door, they would
have seen the patient, motionles'
watcher start into life, end, stepping
forward, draw the arm ofthe foremost
lady within his own, and saunter SLOWLY
away, followed, at a respectful distance
by the third figure. It isalmost need
less to say that the forms we're those o.
Laura Kimball, her lovertand her maid
Natalie. .:...
But although matters had gone on in
this way for several weeks, Herbert had
not dared to presume further upon heI
coudescension, and so bad contented
himself with escortiug her, Nightly from
the theatre to the door Of Fer residence
invariably taking bis leave of her at the
threshold. -, ~ &C..
One night, after bidding her adieu
as usual, and returning to his own home
and couch, the spirit. unrest took
possession Of him, and he was unable
to sleep. And presently borne upon
the still night air, he Sbsard the loud
clangirg Of the fire belh; and as he
listened they rang out ths tidings of a
fire 10 the very district, my, even in the
very street where dwelt his beloved.
With lovers unreasceing anxiety,
be at once arose, and hastily douniug
his attire, sought the sceie of the fire.
But what was his horrorto find, as he
entered the street, that ID. very house
in which Laura dwelt vas surrounded
by the engines, and the r.d flames were
already bursting from tb upper w;n>
dows .
He ran-he few to tie spot, when,
high above the clamor ofshe surrouud-
ing multitude, rang in his ear the shrill,
terrified voice of Laura's Fench maid,
who pressed to his side, SyfDg:
%, Monsieur! Ma m,{'tesse &! Ma
chere m,aitresse ! ellie est lsy' and point
ed to the blazing dwelling.
Shouts and cries rescutded on all
sides; MS usual, on such .oocasions, the
scene was one of the widest confusion.
Firemen ran hither and thitber, shout
ing hoarsely. The peoplsof the neigh
borhood, with alarm dsp4ed on their
faces, gathered in knots, discussing
their probable danger. eod devising
plans for their safety. But Herbert
needed none of these things, and he e1-
citedly turned to the terrified maid,
aud hastily inquiring fhs location of
her mistress room, ht paused not, but
rushing forward he dashed opened the
door with one might, blow of his pow
erful arm, amid wild tumult Of warn
ing voices, entered the burning building.
Ascending the stairs, hs ran hastily
along the hall and bnrse open The door
Of an apartment. and 80 extended
upon the floor aud half hidden from his
anxious gaze by the dense smoke, lay
Laura Kimball! She was robed as if
for retiring, but had evidently started
at the alarm, and thrown a shawl about
her, then, overcome by the smoke, had
tainted and fallen.
Gathering her to his heart, and even
at that fearful moment experiencing
thrill of rapture at the contact, Herbert
again sought the stairs. But as he was
about to place his foot upon them they
fell with terrible crash, and he stood
appalled,, gazing down into the horrible
fiery gulf. and facing the awful death
from which there now seemed no 3cs-
cape. But even as he dcspaired loud
shout rang in from the front window,
and turning, he saw the smoke-black-
ened face of a fireman, who called to
him to approachi he did so, and rushing
back along the hall through the floor Of
which little jets of fame Nere beginning
to dart, he found ladder raised against
the window sill, and cautiously, slowly,
his precious burden clasped in his arms,
he descended it round by round until,
at length, he stood upon the pavement,
greeted by loud shouts of applause and
admiration.
He. needed them not, but blinded
and scorched, staggered to little dis
tance, followed by the weeping French
girl. But when he glanced at the still,
pale face resting on his breast, he gave
8 cry Of fear and alarm; and forgetful
or regardless of the surging crowd and
the roaring flames, he strained the in-
animate form frantically to his breast,
crying: My darling my darling 0,
God Dead ! and she never knew how
l loved her !! Laura Laura ! and he
pressed hot kisses on the pallid, up
turned face.
They were surrounded Immediately
by strange, kindly people, who found
that the lady only had fainted, and
needed proper care; and being thus as
sured, the grief-stricken man procured
a carriage and bore his loved one TO a
neighboring hotel.
By the next afternoon Laura was
quite recovered, and able to reward her
preserver by granting him the only
boon be asked-the life ho had saved.
Not many weeks after, in fact, as
soon as her engagement at the N
theatre had expired, Mr., NJ, the
manager, was electrified by the recep-
tion of wedding cards which bore on
their glossy faces the names OF Herbert