The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1878-08-01

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1t is not far from the room occupied by
the two girls.
"Merciul heaven!" burst from his
lips. "The fire must have made terrible
headwav inside" He rushed up the
steps and rang the bell violently, while
his voice sounded ON the stiffness with
the most horrible ominous words one can
hear in the dead of night;
"Fire Fire !"
The house was reused in moment,
Partly dressed persons OF both sexes
rushed wildly along through the halls,
which were filled with sutfocating smoke.
The fire had the upper hand. There
was but little time to save aught but
precious lives.
Redmond, who had at once opened the
door with his latch key, rushed up stairs
to the room which his friends occupied,
but was Mortified to find the passage in
flames. "Good God" he groaned,
how shall | rescue them ?" He rushed
out again and Joined the crowd who had
collected under Louise's window. No
sound issued from the room. Perhaps
they were already sufocated, Redmond
shouted no answer. Two men went
hastily for a ladder; it would be an eter-
nifty before they returned, Meanwhile
they were in the very jaws of death. A
tall tree rose firm and grand near the
window. Redmond flung his coat on
the dewy grass and assembled it quickly,
How, he could not tell, but he gained a
projecting branch, threw up the windows
and vaulted into the room. He was a
| clever gymnast, but in his hours OF
amusement he never dreamed of this ter
rible need. The room was full of smoke
that almost stopped his breath. The
girls lay unconscious in a sleep that in a
He caught the first one, and supporting
her light form in one arm, with the
other he aided his downward descent,
and placed the unconscious form in the
hands outstretChed below. The lulid
light showed the still face of Louise.
Till then he had not known which one
he had rescued, for he had purposed to
save both, or die in the attempt. This
had been the work of moment. 1t was
only that of another to resscend, perform
the brave deed, and give to the trembling
arms tho other unconscious form.
Redmond Clarke had a large reserve
power in his organization; but his real
strength, physically, was far from enor-
nous. The need tor exercise for his
tremendous will being over, he tottered
and fell insensible few rods from the
spot where two girls lay on some bed
ding that had been thrown out from the
burning house.
Kind neighbors were making prepara
tions for the removal and accOmmoda
tion OF the sufferers. Louise, under the
reviying influence of the night air ,gaspeC
once or twice, and then slowly uncloS &c
her eyes. Sac looked around on the
burning building and the disordereC
scene with strange, unreal sensation
She rose slowly to $ sitting position, ant
saw Redmond lying still as death on thu
dewy green sward. The flames leapec
and rOared, and the harmless silvery
moonlight paled before their lurid
wrathful CLEAN.
GLOW did come here ?" asked Louise
in dazed, bewildered manner.
"You have been carried out of thi'
burning building, unconscious" said 1
gentleman standing near. That per
SON." pointing to Redmond, Saved yor
both. He has not spoken since"
Redmond Clarke" she said, half
dreamily. ole was not here last night
He went to Ashland to escape the flood,
and again sank back unconscious.
The three we're carried to the gam
house, and in few days the girls re
covered their usual health. Redmond
recovery was slower. He had not robus
health, and the anxiety and exertion c
that terrible night, coupled with col
taken while lying on the damp gras
threw him into fever, from which h
recovered slowly. The two girls at
tended him with thankfulness for tn
privilege to show their gratitude for tn
service he had rendered.
Blanche magnanimously refraine
from reminding Louise of the thought
to which she had given expression o
that memorable day. There was n
need. Louise remembered with shar
regret for the injustice. In Redmond
eye she seemed to have developed into
new character, she was so gentle, D
, womanly. The elixir of life seemed h
emanate from her presence. The under
current of her thoughts ran thus: Ca
, ever admire enough his noble courage?
, She, wondered how he came there on ths
|, night. He had not returned when SD
retired at a late hour, but the matte
had not been mentioned between then
a In his weak state the physician .orbad
q the least excitement.
, One day she stood looking at him ,
he seemed TO slumber on low loung
9 to which he bad removed from his be-
81 never thought he would prove such
Q hero" she said, hslfaloud." 81 see no
/, how utterly false are appearances st
Q touched his forehead lightly with b,
!, soft palm. and then was turning to g
n buta clasp of his large white hand d
tanned her.
t al have heard your words" he sai
n looking into her flushed face and u
? eteady eyes calmly, steadily. wv
@ YOU sit a moment beside me?
It She ebeyed the request. The iuhere
g power OF his nature was rising to the su
d face, and a stronger individuality thi
IS her own was making itself felt sbo
Is moro physical weakness,
e 'Nlll you say that you love n
e Louise ?'
1t The question WIS low, steady and tin
u The answer came lower, and with sIig
W culver in the tone-'l love you"
v II am not eSacting a debt Of gra'
a tude. Do you love me OF your on
ID sweet will?'
n She looked at him. A new atmo
le phere seemed to surround him. lie W.
IS not to her the Redmond Clarke OF Oh
n She reached her other hand for him
Is clasp. 81 don't love you through giat