The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-05-02
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%Tn r N 81
Mother firstp cried she yes, dear


mother, yesl'
There's no time to lose! Come
quick, urged Tom.
So. taking Mrs. Derham to the
house-top, and bearing her across the
limb of tree that rested on the roof,
he settled her securely in the tree,
where she would be hidden from
view and safe.
The double weight had caused the
limb 10 snap and crack, SO that anoth-
er crossing would endanger life.
Springing back, Tom fastened to Efiie
and whispered:
Have faith in me little one. Clasp
your arms tight around my waist
tight as death, my darlingp
Then with the prayer: Heaven
guide my footstepts,' he clutched an
overhanging bough and swung cut in-
to the great darkness, landing firmly
on the grand old oak he knewso well.
Then he carefully fixed his pFeeaous 6
burden in the safe, strong arms of the
tree. murmuring:
sThe Good Father and His holy
angles guard thee, my birdie, and the
m other bird. till L return
%, Toni dear Toni don't leave
me- sobbed Efie, you might miss
your footing in that dreadful leap
back
mo. dear, will not miss it, Your
prayers and your love will give me
strength of spirit and carry me safely
| over
Once again the leap is taken. With
the load of his darling's danger lifted
from his heart, Tom Sheldon goes be-
low ready for the conflict.
He can hear blow upon blow, aud
the sound chills bis blood. With the
speed of lightning he rushes forward
just in time to ward off q fatal blow
directed toward Mr.. Derham by the
| ven0Tn0us nanu OF Ned Cfashef, VINO
was kissing in the fathers ear:
Tell me where she is. 1 swear she
shall be my bonnie bride.'
| death shall be your bridel roared
Tom, as liked an enraged lion le
sprang upon him.
And like the boa-constrictOr, Ned
| Craeher coiled himself around Tom,
crushing him with the animal force
that made him master of the two and
feeding his passions upon Tom. Ned
Crasher was soon bloated and swollen,
putting and blowing with the great
tempest of anger and i'll will that en-
thralled him.
He was leaving Tom, limp and
senseless. when, with q low mutter,
he turned back and dealt blow that
made the defenseless arm upon which
it fell, quiver and shake, while the
slow blood started, as if to assure the
the beastly man that the key of life
had turned in the lock, and let the
spirit free. IL.
The DEVILS own eyes could not have
emitted more fiendish joy than did
Ned Crashers as he chuckled to him.
self:
Now for the bower of my proud
beautyv
Carefully he searched room after
room, and every plausible spot there
in, from cellar to attic, his ugly face
turned blackening in its mad passion,
at the defeat that laughed at him, from
every corner.
Finding his search in vain, through
every room he went again, dropping
fire-brand in each, TO light her out
he jeeringly laughed. Then away he
and his followers turned, to redden
their hands, and make their souls
crisp and black withnew victims.
While Ned CraaherA red hands had
been aching to pluck the white lily
of that homestead, and transplant it
into the muddy waters OF his own life,
the father and brother. had parried
bio ws till the command Come, boysP
brought them release.
Wearily moving toward. his bed
room door, Mr.. Derham stumbled Dup-
on Tom, lying so still and breathTess
that his own breath staid itself in the
outgoing. to listen for sign of life
however faint-in the PROSTATE form.
sHarry, open the door and help me
get him in there spoke Mr.. Derham.
in hushed, frightened voice.
Upon opening the door great waves
! of black smoke rolled out upon them,
binding their eyes, and causing them
!, to gasp and choke.
Without word, or cry, they hurri-
, edly lifted Tom and carried him out
into the open air, at safe distance
from the burning house.
The cruel wind flew up Toms
: sleeve, and Tapped itself round and
round the wounded arm, while the
coldness of it's touch on the still face
shook it into consciousness.
Opening his eyes slowly, in a be-
wildered kind of way, Tom gathered
in the sense of what had befallen him,
and asked:
why am so stupid and inactive z
A few knocks ought not TO fatten ne
like this. I'm weak, though-bran-
l dy.'
. Soon the brandy tingled the life
current into full flowing, and Tom
Q drew himself up into sitting posi-
' ton, and saw the flames of the burn
Q ing home-his Efiie's housekeeping
h gl into the air.
4 The treeP he cried; great Heav-
8 ems! the treev Jumping up, as If the
4 animation of a hundred lives were
9 enfolded in his one, Tom rushed for Z
Q ladder near by, and attempting to
p raise it with both hands, dropped one
It with groan, and with the other-ths