Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-05-22

preston upon him-something might
be even now happening. He let HIM
self out noiselessly at the front door, and
commenced rapid walk. The church
clock tolled the hour-twelve. He
would reach there in less than an hour.
What if he should find his dream real
lied? He was a good walker, and the
distance between him and Woodville
rapidly lessened. AS he drew near he
began to feel areaction-indeed, almost
inclined to turn back. He came sud-
denly upon the village, lying serene and
lovely under the moonlight. The Co.
cassett House, to which his gaze was di-
rectedly, doomed up large and tall among
the quiet cottages around, and some
stately elms threw their protecting shad-
ows over it's white walls.
All! what is that? The horror of the
dream is repeated! broad, angry sheet
of flame suddenly burst from the win
dows of the east of The building! 1t is
not far from the room occupied by the
two girls. j"
Merciful heavenv' burst from his
lips. "The fire must have made terri
bic Roadway inside" He rushed up
the steps. and rang the bell violently,
while his voice sounded on the stiffness
with the most horribly ominous words
one can hear in the dead ofnight, Fire!
Fire."
The house was aroused in moment.
Partly dressed persons of both sexes
rushed wildly along through the halls,
which were filled with sufocating
smoke. The fire had the upper hand.
There was little time to save aught but
precious lives. ..s.... ..
Redmond, who had at once opened
the door with his latch key, rushed up
stairs to the room which his friends occu-
pied, but was Mortified to find the pas
sage in living flame "Good God"
he groaned, chow shall | rescue them?"
He rushed out again and joined the
crowd who had collected under Louiss
window. No sound issued from the
room. Perhaps they were already suf-
located. Redmond shouted; no answer.
Two men went hastily for ladder; it
would be an eternity before they re-
turned. Meanwhile they were in the
very jaws of death! A tall tree rose
firm and grand near the window. Red
mond flung his coat on the dewy grass
and assembled it quickly. How, he
could not tell, but he gained a project
ing branch, threw up the window and
vaulted into the room. He was clever
gymnast, but in his hours Of amuse-
ment he never dreamed Of this terrible
need. The room was full of thick
smoke that almost stopped his breath.
The girls lay unconscious in a sleep that
IN few moments would be eternal.
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 lurid
| light showed the still face of Louise. Till
Ethen he had not known which one ne
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 reascend,
perform again the brave deed, and give
to trembling arms the other unconscious
form. ... ..
Redmond Clarke had large reserve
power in his organization; but his real
strength. physically, was far from enor-
nous. The need for the exercise Of his
tremendous will being over, he tottered
and fell insenslble few rods from the
spot where the two girls lay on some
bedding that had been thrown out from
the burning house. .,......
Kind neighbors were making prepa-
rations for the removal and accommo-
dation of the sufferers. Louise, under
the reviving influence of the night air,
gasped once or twice, and then slowly
Enclosed her eyes. She looked around
on the burning building and the disor-
dered scene, with strange, unreal SEN
sation. She rose slowly to sitting po-
sition, and saw Redmond lying still as
death On the dewy greensward. The
flames leaped and roared. and the harm
less silvery moonlight paled before their
lurid, wrathful CLEAN. ..a.
Chow did I come here?' asked
| Louise, in dazed, bewildered manner.
"You have been carried out of this
burning building, unconscious" said a
gentleman standing near. "That per-
son." pointing to Redmond, saved you
both. He has not spoken since"
Redmond Clarkev' she said, half
dreamily. He was not here last night.
He went to Ashland to escape the
flood" and again sank back uncon-
scious. -.
The three were carried to the same
house, and in a few days the girls re-
covered their usual health Redmond's
recovery was slower He had not ro-
bust health, and the anxiety and extra
exertion ofthat terrible night, coupled
with a cold taken while lying on the
damp grass threw him into fever,
from which he recovered slowly. The
two girls attended him with thankful
ness for the privilege to show their
gratitude for the service he had rem
dered. ........ -. '..'...
Blanche magnanimousiy refrained
from reminding Louise of the thoughts
to which she had given expression on
that memorable day. There was no
need. Louise remembered with sharp
regret the injustice. In Redmond's
eye she seemed to have developed into
new character; she was SO gentle, so