The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-06-22

away, when l heard my name called:
"Dick! Dick!' in piteous tones; and, as
| was once more seized, shook myself
! free, rushed up the ladder, with the
| flames scorching and burning my face,
and, painting and breathless, | reached
window where Matte stood stretch
ing out her hands.
l got astride of the sill, the flames
being waited away from me, and threw
my arms around her; but as | did so
the ladder gave way, burned through
| by the flames that gushed furiously
from the lower window, and l felt that
| must either jump, or try and descend
| by the staircase.
There was no time for thinking; so
climbed in, lifted Matte in my arms,
| feeling her dress crumble in my hands
as | touched her, and the horrible odor
of burnt hair rose in my nostrils, as
saw her wild and blackened face turned
to mine.
"Dick! Dickr' she gasped, "save
men' 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 be-
low me was what seemed to be a fiercelv-
| blazing furnace.
| L 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 furiously.
So, getting good tight grip of my
| treasure, | rushed down the burning
stairs, feeling them crackle and give
way as | bounded from one to the other.
1t was fiery ordeal; but in few
| seconds | was below the flames, and
reached the hall, where, painting and
sutfocating, | struggled to the door,
reached it, and fell.
! If | could but open it, | knew we
were saved. But Twas exhausted, and
the hot air caught me by the throat
and seemed to strangle me. raised
my hand to the lock, but it fell back.
l beat feebly at the door, but there was
only the roar of the flames to answer
me; and as | made one more supreme
effort, painting and struggling to reach
the fastening, | was, as it We're, dragged
back by the weight of the burden l
still clasped to my breast.
1t was more than human endurance
could bear, and felt that the end was
near; and, to make my sufferings more
poignant, Matte seemed to revive,
struggling with me for her life, as she
kept repeating my name, and chung to
me, till
Dick-dear Dick! wake; pray, wake!
Are you ill?"
started mp to find Matte clinging
to me; and clasping her tightly to my
heart, great sob burst from my breast
as kissed her passionately again and
again, hardly able to believe my senses.
go Dick" she painted, "you did
brighten me so! couldn't stay to sup
per at the Wilson's, dear; for could do
nothing but think about you sitting
here alone, and cross with me. So
$3.50, | was so miserable, Dick, and |
slipped away and came home, to find
you lying back here, painting and strug-
Cling; you wouldn't wake when Ishook
you. Were you ill?"
80 no; not at ALL | said, as | kissed
her again and again, feeling now for
IlO III ~ Illllc ScllSlDlC VI Il SludIllHg
pain in one foot
You've burnt yourself, too, Dick;
look at your foot"
1t was quite true; the toe of one Slip
per must have been in contact with the
fire, and it was burned completely off.
But, Dick-dear Dick" she whis-
pered, nesting closer to me, care you
very, very angry with your little wife
for being such a girl?"
could not answer, only thank God
that my weak fit of folly was past, as l
clasped her closer and closer yet.
Matte" l whispered at last, in
very 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
while they remained there l made a
vow | hope | shall have strength to
keep; for real troubles are 50 many, it
is folly to invent the false CaSSeWS
Magazine.