Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-07-16


mcr; and springing up. he sought light.
The matches were not to be found. but
there might be a match or two in his own
bag. This he tecollected to have left in
the dressing room which adjoined his bed
chamber. The window here was not
screened by thick, dark blinds, as those of
ihd sleeping apartments were. and he soon
found his bag; when, as he was feeling
among his fittings for his match box. b.
become conscious Of peculiar smell and
sound in the room. The door had been
LETT overnight accidently aiar. and through
this opening the strange influences stole.
The next moment he was convinced of the
cause.
The place was on fire.
jeffrey Sentured out and looked forth.
and there, at the end Of the passage. roll
ling onward to meet him, was volume of
white smoke.
Without moments loss Of time he
turned back into his room, and hastily as
suming some Of his clothes, hurried out
again,
Perfectly ignorant which rooms were
'enanted and which not. he knocked at
every door, shouting fire, fire 80
He then pressed on to the immediate
scene Of the conflagration. The origin of
the fire he could not discover: but upon
turning the corner of the long corridor it
was apparent that the tower stairs were
burning.
The column Of smoke was now very
dense, but the flames seemed to be issuing
from beneath the staircase
Good heavens! Was it not here that he
had been told Miss Warburton slept !?
How far had the fire reached, Had il al
ready done its work of destruction
Before Jefirey's sight swept vision If
the girl, as he had seen her last night.
bright. sunny. beautiful. and now possibly
mere heap of charred and blackened
ruin.
IL sPurred him on 10 instantaneous ef-
tort. He made an attempt to ascend; the
smoke was binding, the hot air swept his
face with scorching fierccness; but the
stairs still afforded firm footing.
The flames. however. were licking with
ominous greed. all the light wooden bal
nster and its supporters.
He gained the door which he supposed
must be that of Miss Warburtons room,
and after hasty knock, turnedthe handle
The door Yielded
He could make out the white bed, could
almost catch the simmer of the golden
hair upon the pillow even in that dim
light.
Miss Warburton. wakenr' he cried.
And then thinking the true cause of the
disturbance would be less alarming to the
girl than the strange presence in her
room, he added:
Don't be frightened; but the house
is on fire.
Jeffrey guessed that she was not the
Kind of a woman to go into Mysteries, or
fIint. or do anything else absurd.
He reckOned upon her showing cour-
age and presence of mind. And he found
himself right in his estimate.
Yes; who Is it What is the natter"
she said. bewildered but sitting erect and
speaking calmly.
IT IS l. Miss Warburton; there is fire
in the house. do not think it is much,
but the stairs are burning. viii you
come at once ?''
"Yes. but"
Don't wait. just wrap yourself in
something woolen." said he. walking to
the door and opening it in readiness. but
the next moment he shut it again
The flames had already gained the very
lintels.
"Quick. Miss Warburton There is
not moment to lose ! " cried he sharply.
The next moment Lettuce had olided up
to his side where he stood waiting for her
lie took her hand to lead her forward she
was very ready and composed. but JEFF
rey could feel that she tremblel nervous
~. Holding her fingers now in frmer
grasp to reassure her. he opened the door
and stepped out on the small landing.
Not through there, not throug there -
she cried. drawing back with n violent
shndder ut the sight of the smoke and
flames.
Seeing her dismay and reluctance. Mr.
smith spoke to her hurriedlv. Our only
alternative is she window; is there a YER
andah or anything of that sort below it ~
mo, nothing"
upon?"
None" she answered. trying to steady
her voice; 1.-THE walls fall sheer down to
the ground"
Come. then; you shall not be hurt if I
can help It. Escape is easy enough if only
tne stairs be stone; ut all events. thew are
but short flight" said he encouraging
ly; but at the same time he stole a glance
ct much anxiety at the girl
She was only protected by some thin
wrapper. her little naked white feet were
simply thrust into pair of slippers, her
fair hair hung in a fleecy cloud over her
shoulders. Plenty for those hungry flames
to feed upon; little to resist their voracitv
Darling back into the room. Smith
seized blanket from the bed. and rolling
II round her. lifted her. speechless with as
constituent, into his arms. and dashed
right on. Burdened as he was and blind
ed by the smoke. he stumbled on. never
hesitating until he reached the base.
where what seemed to be solid wall of
fire withstood his progress. But it was
too late tor hesitation. too late to go back :;
and. with more fervent prayer for help
than ever he had uttered in his lite before.
he plunged on. A moment later they
stood safe beyond the reach of the flames
Safe upon the solid ground. safe as BY a
miracle: safe. though with hearts that yet
throbbed quickly from the late sense of
peril. And deeply thankful; one at least
had never tasted the full sweetness of ex-
istence until that moment of blessed relief.
Setting his precious burden down. JEFF
frey Smith staggered against the wall.
more pyhauSfad hy HE axart;.>,s a,J