The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-07-04

greensWard. The flames leaped and
roared, and the harmless silvcry moon.
light paled before their lurid, wrsthful
CLEAN.
"How did I come nereT" asked Louise,
in a dazed bewil,iered manner.
"You have been carried out of this
burning building. unconscious" sGid a
gentlemen standing near. "That person. y
pointing to Redmond; saved you both.
He has not spoked since"
Redmond Clark" she said half.
dreamily. He was not here last night
lie went to Ashland to escape the food ~
and again sank back unconscious.
The three were carried to the same
house, and in q few days the girls recov-
cred their usual health. Redmond's re
covery was slower. He had not robust
health, and the anxiety and extra exer-
ton of that terrible night, coupled with
q cold taken while living IN the damp
grass threw him into a fever, from
which he recovered slowly. The two girls
attended him with thankfulness for the
privilege to show their gratitude for the
service he had rendered.
Blanche magnanimously refrained
from reminding Louisa of the thoughts
to which she had givcd expression on
that memorable day. There was no need.
LOUISA remembered with sharp regret for
the injustice. In Redmond's eve she
seemed to have developed into q new
character; she was so gentle, SO woman
~. The elixir OF life seemed to emanate
from her presence. The undercurrent of
her thought ran thrs: "Can I ever ad
mire enough his noble courage2" she
wondered how he came there on that
night. He had not returned when she
retired at late hour, but the matter had
not been mentioned between them. In
his weak state the physician forbade the
least excitment.
One day she stood looking at him as
he seemed to slumber on low lounge, to
which he had been removed from his bed,
II never thought he would prove such a
hero" she said, half aloud" II
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.
II have heard your words" he said.
locking into her flushed face and unsteady
eyes calmly, steadily. "Will you sit q
moment beside me2''
She obeyed 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
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
II am not exacting a debt of gratitu lie.
Do you love me Of your own sweet will?"
She looked at him. A new atmosphere
seeme1 to surround him. He was not to
her the Redmond Clarke of old. She
reached her other hand for him to clasp.
II don't love you through gratitude, If
you had saved the life of nv greatest
enemy I should lave 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
hands in his he glidcd into gentle
slumber.
Afterwards he told her of his dream
and midnight walk. She was puzzled.
"Ah, Redmond, we can truly say with
Hamlet, that
There are more things In heaven and earth,
Horatio,
Than are dreamt of In your philosophy
swell, We had fire instead of a flood"
said Blanche, who had been gladdened
by the turn Of affairs. IL suppose we
shall have to call that the fultilment.
What did tine story mean, anyhowl''
"Half fiction, half truth, like hundreds
OF other things" said Redmond. II shall
never regret the weeks spent at Wood
vllle-they brought me the happiness Of
my life"
And his eyes met those of Louisa in a
tender, happy smile.