The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-15

and gloom. David had raised in the
beat to warn his young master for the
last time to leap; for, in q moment, all
promised to be over.
Suddenly, a voice as shrill as the
crazed lady's, but clear and musical as
bell, rang over the waters.
"Aunt, it is Willie. Won'tyou comeT
A slender boat, with a torch leaning
over the side, was struggling bravely
with an eddy, not forty yards from Da-
vid, and Rates brother was I'm it. Then
a subdued cheer, by way of encourage
ment, rose up from two other boats be-
hind. David saw that in the rear of
these were several persons-John Dixons
father, two Of his servants, and, standing
in the stern was the old rector, his white
hair streaming on his shoulders. He it
was who was directing the Others. Wav-
ing his arms, he made a signal to the
other boot and to David, for the latter
shouted that he had Miss Sibbert safe.
The aged rector called:
"Stop rowing, men! Let the boy 90
alone, and GODS blessing on him. One
life risked is enough. Struggle, William;
remember, she is your relative. Spread
out the other boats" he finally added,
"to recover them, if be has not time to
reach"
The youthful rover had not slackened
in his efforts for moment. At times
current or eddy for which his young
arms were too weak caught him, bat he
soon escaped it; he was making way,
leaving the others behind, bravely urging
his boat on toward the flaming house.
"Shout! she hears you," called David,
away ON his left hand. From his nearer
position he noticed that the aunt's sing
ing had ceased.
Again, though now brokenly from the
exertion with the oar, the childish treble
voice rose entreatingly:
"Aunt, if you will not come, will be
drowned too"
The advancing boat had reached an
Illuminated part of the waters, and the
Others, waitingl outside the dark line
where the waves began to glitter and
redden, could see the boat, like a dark
patch, zig-zagging toward the Grange,
through the windows of which the glow
ing fire was visible, making, as it were,
scarlet curtain 60 them. The fame
all at once lowered; it was only to shoot
up still higher. In the same moment, q
third window was illuminated from be-
hind, and in its aperture two forms were
seen. The front Of the house stood; it
did not fall; the dark spot, which they
knew was Willie's boat, went zig-zagging
on. Soon it gained another brighter line
Of the illuminated food, and it vanished
for a second. But they saw bright spot
moving forward still.
The old rector, whe, standing erect,
with clasped hands, had been playing in
nearly silent voice, gradually raised his
tone, supphcating heavens favor for the
lad. ..
"Amen!' burst from the others; that
was the only sound, for their eyeballs
were straining as they gazed. If the
Grange gave way now, then Willie
would perish with the rest. Hours
seemed to elapse, then one of the figures
in the red, glaring window stirred. With
hearts sick with terror, those in the
boats saw this figure busy with some
thing which must be the rope. The fig
ure turned; it graped the other tiny
form; they were leaving the scarlet
square of the window; they were de
scending.
A struggling shout went up from the
boats, but it was checked in the first
shout. A fear simultaneously struck
all that the noise might bring down the
tottering, burning house. Another mo-
ment passed.
They are safe" was cried in shrill
female voice. It was Kate; she had raj
lied, and recovered consciousness. III see
the boat; it's yonder; see, see-therep
Straining forward, with her hair dis
heveled, and arm stretched fully out she
pointed to II moving spot, half dark, half
shining.
Now up went an unrestrained shout
from each boat, and their occupants
sprang into motion. Again, and yet
again, they shouted. Then afresh each
heart stood still, even as the oars struck
water, for, on the third repeated shout,
the glowing building collapsed; the win
dows crushed together; slowly all sank;
falling sideways to the left, widening
cloud Of smoke, fame, and sparks opened
over the spot; then, the bright waters
were instantaneously bIotted out in dark
ness, saving where scattered red timbers
f1oated for a moment.
The Grange was gone!
Pushing OIL through the hot, binding,
sitting, dusty vapor which came sweep
ing down upon the wind, they found, Oh
reaching clearer air beyond, that Willie
had done his task-both John Dixon and
the crazy aunt were in the boat-the
poor aunt, weak and exhausted, was now
q uiet as baby.
A few minutes later there was more
cheering on Prospect Hill Road, when
the saved persons were landed there.
The flames from the Grange had been
seen over the hill in Nettleby village,
and quite crowd had assembled from
far and near. Among them was Mrs.
ISibbert, waiting in a mothers agony for
- H. :lIuou Gl,o boJ +hoco Lo4L