Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-07-04

light Paled before tteir lurid, wrlthfal
CLEAN. .a'o} il asd"T =" ~ :.
How did I come nerpt" asked Louise,
in ! dased bewil,lered manner. - -
"You nave BEEN carried out Of this
burning building, unconscious,n said 4
gentlemen standing near. ''That person, D.
pointing to Redmond; ''saved you both.
He has not spOked since"
Richmond CLARK !" she said half.
dreamily.. He was not here 'last night
He went'to Ashland to escape the food"
and again sank back unconscious. ,'
The three %efe carried 10 tie same
ho,se, And in a. few days the girls reoov-
cred their usual health. Redmondsi re,
covery was slower. He had hot robust
healthy and the anxiety And extra 'exer-
ton Of that terrible night, coupled with
cold taken while lying, on, the damp
grass threw him. into-a fever, from
which he recovered elowly. The two girls
attended him with lthankfulness for the
privilege to show their gratitude for the
service he had rendered.
Blanche magnanimously refrsined
from reminding Louisa Of the, thoughts
to. which she had, gived expression on
that memorable day. There was no need.
LOUISA remembered with sharp regret for
the injustice. In Redmond's eve she
seemed to have developed into a. new
character; she was so gentle, so woman
ly. The elixir of life seemed to emanate
from her presence The 'undercurrent of
her thought ran thrs:" Can I ever I'D :,
| mire enough his noble courage!" She
1 1Avn Ao~> l.
night. He had not returned when she
retired at a late hour, but the matter had
not been mentioned between them. In
his weak state the physician forbade the
least excitment. 80.
=, One day she stood looking at him as
he seemed to slumber on a low lounge, to
which he had been removed from bis bed.
81 never thought he would prove such
here" she said, half aloud" II
see now how utterly false are appear
ances.' She touched his forehead lightly
with her soft palm and then was turn
ing to 60. but clasp Of his large white
hand detained her. -. TX
II have heard your words,'' he said,
looking into her flushed face and unsteady
eyes calmly, steadily. "Will you sit q
moment beside me9'
She obeyed the request. The inherent
power of his nature was rising to, the sur
face, and a stronger individuality than
her own was making itself felt above
mere physical weakness. 1>~ 81: -.
"W,il you say that~-,you love me,
il The question was low, steady and firm.
The answer came lower, and with a slight
culver il the tone-"I love you.'
II am not exacting debt Of gratitude.
Do you love me of your own sweet will?"
She looked at him., A new atmosphere
seemed to surround him. He was not to
her the Redmond Clarke of old. She
reached her other hand for him to clasp.
II don't love you through gratitude. If
YOU had saved the life of my greatest
enemy should lave admired and loved
you as WE'LL"
: She was noble in her surrender, a. she
had been conscious in her doubts. -: 81,
AT last, at last" he said, and with her
hands in his he glided into a gentle
islumber. - -"
Afterwards he told her of his dream
and midnight walk. She was puzzled.
..Ah, Redmond, we tan truly say with
Hamlet, that
There are more things in heaven and earth,
Than are dreamt of in yourphilosophy.'.r
swell, We had fire instead of food,'
said Blanche, who had been gladdened
by the turn of affairs. II suppose we
shall have to call that the ful6lment.
What did the story mean, anyhow?"N
,."Half fiction, half truth, like hundreds
of other things" said Redmond. 81 shall
never regret the weeks spent at Wood
ville-they brought me the happiness of
my life"
And his eyes met those of Louisa in
tender, happy smile.