The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1880-02-20
vision Of Miss Gray in deadly peril

vision of Miss Gray in deadly peri
would also be realized.
raced along the road till the prespir
| alton rained down from my face My
gaze was rivited upon the fierce glare
that, like beacon, was urging me for
ward.
Higher and higher leaped the flames
till the surrounding country was iltumi
| mated far and wide
Oh, the cruel distance that interviewed
1t seemed to grow greater instead of less
But at last was inside the park, and
then soon IN front of the house. now en-
tirely enveloped in flames
Just as | was searching for a certain
window, there went up cry of horror
from the crowd-"Some one is still IN
the housei''
Yes; there, standing by a window,
with look of utter despair, was Alice
Grayl
Jump" shouted the mob; but I
could see that the window was too high
for her to attempt the leap
Our eyes met. called. TO her to stay
one minute; then, seiZing large blanket
scantlly- dreSsed inhabitants of the burn
ing house, dipped it into bucket of
water, and throwing it around me.
plunged into the burning hall. A voice
shouted, as | left the crowd, Third
floor on the rightl' Other voices babe
me stay, as there was no hope of rescue.
Many cheered.
Yes; there were the stairs, fortunately
not burned through. Around me on all
sides the flames were threatening my
life. Should l succeed?
Thank HeavenI the upper floor is
reached at last. l am scorched-my
blood seems TO be on fire. l shout to
Alice
The floor gives way beneath my step.
She has heard me. Her door opens /
see tn At her room is burning. The flames
are leaping in through the broken win
dows- She has bound cloth around
her neck and arms, and is by my side.
We rush through the flames and smoke
for the stairs. 1t is our only chancei
Down, down. VIC fight against the awful
enemy that opposes u.s. Timbers are
falling on all sides. At last we reach
the hall. Alice falls into my arms-she
has sSooned. feel my head reel.
Must We perish after so nearly reaching
safety? cannot hold out another sec
ond. l am falling. A strong arm
drags me through a furnace of fire. l
still retain my grasp of poor inert Alice
Gray
w ISCONCIGI CONSCIOUSNESS WAS
in my old bedroom at Farleigh |
opened my eyes and stared about me, till
gradually | recognized the familiar
features of Mrs. Osborne.
Am l ill? Have l been dreaming
about fire, or was it realY Where is
Miss Gray ?'
managed to gasp out these inquiries
in voice that seemed so strange to me
that l could scarcely recognize it.
"Hushi You must not speak till you
are much better. Miss Gray was here
this morning. She brought you these
flowers. She has been daily, and always
with little boquet for you"
A sweet sense of peace fell upon me,
and turned my head away to conceal a
tear of joy from my kind nurse.
1 felt very weak, took the proffered
medicine, and presently again was sound
asleep.
After few hoars I awoke much re-
freshed.
1t was evening. My kindly nurse was
not where had last seen her l put my
hand to my face, and felt IL long plaster
on my right check.
"Can l give you anything, Mr.. Mont
gOmery?"
l started; and turning, saw the below
ed form of Alice.
1 gave little cry of joy, for, as 1 have
just remarked, l was very weak. My
hand went out and met another hand
"Alicer'
August
And each knew that there was bond
between us stronger than death.
After that day recovered very rapid
ly. But not till able to leave my room
did l learn how had been rescued by a
gallant fireman, just before the ceiling
timbers fell into the hall
Many years have passed since the day
on which l became the happy husband
of Alice Gray. We were married in the
old parish church of Farleigh by the
rector
l am no longer assistant to DR.. Os-
borne, but have good practice in Lon
don; and James Leo, the brave young
fireman who dragged me from the flames,
is my confidential servant
Alice playfully inquiries at times if l
ever regret commencing my professional
career in so obscure a town as Farleigh.
l have no occasion to answer in words,
for we both know that Farleigh was the
beginning of our life.