The Osceola times., 1878-07-27

All what is thatS The horror of the
dream is repeated broad, angry sheet
or flame suddenly bursts from the win
dows of the east side of the building !!
1t is not far from the room occupied by
the two girls.
Merciiul heaven burst from his
lips. "The fire must have made terrible
headway inside" He rushed up the
steps and rang the bell violently, while
his voice sounded on the stiffness with
the most horrible minous words one can
hear in the dead Of night:
Fire Fire!" tli .li.
The house was reused in q moment.
Partly dressed Dersons OF both sexes
rushed wildly along through the halls,
which were filled with suffocating 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 suffocated. Redmond
shouted no answer. Two men went
hastily for ladder; it would be an eter-
nifty before they returned. Meanwhile
they we're 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 ascended II quickly.
How, he could not tell, but he gained q
projecting branch, threw up the windows
and vaulted into the room. He was q
clever gymnast, but in his hours of
amusement he never dreamed of this tor
rible need. The room was full Of smoke
that almost stopped his breath. The
girls lay unconscious in sleep that in q
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
hands outstretched below. The luiid
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 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 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 prepare.
tions for the removal and accommoda.
tion of the sufferers. Louise, under the
reviving influence of the night air ,gasped
once or twice, and then slowly unclossd
her eyes. She looked around on the
burning building and the disordered
scene with a strange, unreal sensation.
She rose slowly to sitting position, and
saw Redmond lying still as death on the
dewy green sward. The flames leaped
and roared, and the harmless silvery
moonlight paled before their lurid,
wrathful CLEAN.
GLOW did come here ?" asked Louise,
in dszed, 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 food"
and again sank back unconscious.
The three were carried to the same
house, and in few days the girls re-
covered their usual health. Redmond's
recovery was slower. He had not robust
health, and the anxiety and exertion OF
that terrible night, coupled with cold
taken while lying on the damp grass
threw him into fever, from which he
recovered slowly. The two girls ats
tended him with thankfulness for the
privilege to shew their gratitude for the
service 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 Redmond's
eye she seemed to have developed into q
new character, she was 90 gentle, 10
womanly. The elixir OF life seemed TO
emanate from her presence. The under
current of her thoughts ran thus: "Csn
| ever admire enough his noble courage?"
She,wondered how he came there on that
night. He had not returned when she
retired at late hsur, 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 a
he seemed to slumber on a low lounge,
to which he had removed from his bed.
81 never thought he would prove such a
hero" she said, halfaloud." ~ see now
how utterly false are appearances" She
touched his forehead lightly with her
soft palm aud then was turning TO 20,
but a clasp Of bis large white hand de-
tanned her.
81 have heard your words" be said.
looking into her flushed face and un-
steady eyes calmly, steadily. "Will
you sit moment beside me?'
She ebeyed the request. The inherent
power OF his nature was rising to the sur
face, and stronger individuality than
her own was making itself felt above
more physical weakness.
"Will you say that you love me,
Louise p
The question was low, steady and firm.
The answer came lower, aud with slight
culver iu the tone-"l love you."
81 am not exactiug a debt Of graft
tude. Do you love me OF your own
sweet will?'