The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1879-07-05

of light suddenly flames out in the
darkened space where the houses throw
their shadow. The windows of large
room on the second floor are one broad
sheet of flames. Next TO the room on
FIRE was the one occupied by Everett Rey-
nolds. A premonition of danger, such as
often comes to us in peril, awakened him
suddenly from hisslumbers, andspringing
from the bed he glanced out ID the win
dow. Hastily dressing, he rushed into
the hall, crying:
q Firel FireP
AT once all were aroused and the cus-
tomary wild confusion ensued, the ser
wants and family rushing sbout to ascer-
tain the locality and extent of the fire.
1t was soon tcund that NO earthly power
could stay its course. All that could be
done was to hurry and save the most
valuable articles.
Frederetta, in loose wrapper and
unbound hair, with the rest, acting
under the calm direction of Everett
for even the master of the household
seemed paralyzed-and the servants had
begun to carry out the things of least
value, with the strange Inconsistency SO
often displayed in such cases. The fire
gained rapidly, but 30 active had all
been under the direction of the incident,
careless man, now for the first time
showing his superiority, that nearly
everything of value had been removed.
They stood gazing sadly upon the burn
ing mass, which shot up red flames to
the calm, blue sky, rendering pale the
moonlight, snd deafeDing the fair land.
scape with q hideous plot. Suddenly
sharp, wild cry, q wall of terror, sounded
above the cracking of the flames.
Heavensl' exclaimed Frederetta,
Sarah sleeps in the attic. 1t is she;
she will be burned to deathi" And she
covered her face with her hands as q
white -robed figure appeared at the win
dow, shrieking for help, and then shrank
from sight.
Everett Reynolds began to make prep
Rrations to ascend tall tree that rose
very near where the girl had fallen. 1t
was blackened by the scorching flames.
1t will be sure death to attempt to
enter" said several voices HThe roo
is just falling in. You viii both lose
your lives"
He paid no attention, but quickly ass
,ended the tree until on level with the
which Sarah had raised when
The found out her peril. He vaulted
INTO the room. He almost stumbled |
,ver her insensible form, for the binding
moke suffocated him. Tongues of flames
we're already darting through the roof,
md the anxious watchers below held |
heir breaths until he reappeared at the |
window with his burden. He seemed to
lave the strength of three men and the |
'gility of q cat, as with one hand he
Iided his descent and placed his burden |
IN the ground.
The cheers changed to anxious inquiry
e he rolled over insensible. He had the |
of q lion, had never known fear;
mt his physical strength was not equal
o great deeds of daring. The unusual
xertion brought ona slow fever, through
which Frederetta nursed hi Her
manner toward him had changed; she
egarded him with Difference which he
vas not slow to perceive.
DO you despise me as you used to
iof" he asked her suddenly one evening
Is he sat in an easy chair, supported by
,ushions.
"Despise youg i don't un6erstand,"
he said, consciously.
/ love you, Frederetta. Will yon
,llow me to tell you SO, or are you still
cooking for one of the brave knights of
,he Round Table? 7"
Their eyes met moment, and in hers
he read his answer. He drew her toward
MIN and pressed his first kiss ON her lips.
And SO she fennd her hero.
r. uwY~