The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-07-06

lucy were ALREADY sufOcated. Redmond
shouted; no answer. Two men went
hastily for 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
clever gymnas5, 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 sleep that in
few moments more 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
bands outstretched below. The lurid
light showed the still face of Louise.
I'LL then 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, per-
form again the brave deed, and give to
trembling arms the 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 for the exercise of his
tremendous will being over, he tottered
and fell insensible a 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 prepare
tions for the removal and accommoda-
ton OF the sufferers. Louise, under the
revlvlng influence of the night air,
gasped once or twice, and then slowly
Enclosed her eyes. She looked around
on the burning building and the dis
ordered scene with a strange, unreal
sensation. She rose slowly to sitting
position, 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.
How did l come here?" asked
Louise, in daze, 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 Clarke!" she said, half
dreamily. He was not here last night.
He went to Ashland to escape the flood"
and again sank back unconscious.
The three were carried to the same
house, and in a few days the girls recov-
cred their usual health. Redmond's
recovery was slower. He had not robust
health, and the anxiety and exertion of
that 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 attend
ed him with thankfulness for the privi-
lege to show their gratitude for the SER
vice he had rendered.
Blanche magnanimously 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 for the injustice. In Redmend's
eye she seemed to have developed into
new character, she was SO gentle, so
womanly. The elixir of life seemed to
emanate from her presence. The under
current of her thoughts ran thus:
&" Can | ever admire enough his noble
courage?" She wondered how he came
there on that night. He had not re-
turned when she retired at late hour,
but the matter had not been mentioned
between them. In his weak state the
physician forbade the least excitement.
One day she stood looking at him as
he seemed to slumber on a low lounge,
to which he had been removed from his
bed. 81 never thought he would prove
such hero" she said, half aloud" al
see now how utterly false are appear
ances." She touched his forehead lightly
with her soft palm, and then was turn
ing to go, but clasp of his large white
hand detained her.
a have heard your words" he said,
looking into her flushed face and I'M
steady eyes calmly, steadily. "Will you
sit moment beside me?"
She obeyed the request. The inner
ent power of his nature was rising to
the surface, and stronger individuality
than her own was making itself felt
above mere physical weakness.
Will you say that you love me,
Louise?"
The question was low, steady and
firm. The answer came lower, and with
slight culver in the tone-"I love
YOU
L am not exacting debt of graft
tude. Do you love me of your own
sweet Wilt"
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. 81 don't love you through graft
tude. If you had saved the life of my
greatest enemy | should have admired
and loved you as WELL"
She was noble in her surrender, as she
had been conscious in her doubts.
AT last, at last" he said, and with
her hand in his he glided into a gentle
slumber.
Afterwards he told her of his dream
and midnight walk. She was puzzled.
All, Redmond, we can truly say with
Hamlet, that
'' There are more things in heaven and earth,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy"
We'll, we had a fire instead of a
food" said Blanche, who had been glad
dened by the turn of affairs q sup
pose we shall have to call that the full
! filment. What did the story mean,
anyhow"
"Half fiction, half truth, like hun
dreds of other things" said Redmond.
:" shall never regret the weeks spent at
Woodville; they brought me the happi-
ness of my life"
And his eyes met those of Louise in a