The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-05-30

hut for the small tower that added; my daughter
the woods and are pleasant Mt any rate they her
choice. The who lived here before me- and for
whom the house was built was blind. You recohect
old gentleman concluded, pointing his shoulder
Yes, marked Its position, at the cnd of the pas
sage, past the tower staircase. ~
Right! now think can give you cigar that
You win enjoy
by II O'Clock that night Mr. smith was In bed;
but u, sounding from some clock In the neghbor
hood, discovered him stillawake; and when the single
stroke OF In due time came trembling through the
still had only Increased. lie
would RISE walk about, read occupy himself In
manner; and sprlnglng up, he sought light. The
matches were not to be found but there might DO a
match or two In his own bag This he recollected to
nave left III the dressing which al Oined his bed
chamber. The window here was not screened by
thick, dark blinds, as those Of the sleeping
were, aud lie soon found his bag: when, as he was
feeling among Its fitting for his MATCHBOX, he be-
came conscious OF peculiar smell aud sound In the
ajar, and through this opening the strange influences
stole. The next moment he was convinced OF the
cause.
jeffrey ventured out and looked forth, AMI there at
the end OF the passage rolling onward to meet him.
loss OF time ho turned back into his room ami hastily
assuming some OF his clothes, hurried out again.
Perfectly Ignorant which rooms were tenanted and
which not, he knocked at every door, shouting " Flre
heN' He himself pressed on To the Immediate scene
OF the conilagIaton. The origin Of the fire he could
not discovers but upon turning the of tho long
corridor 1t was apparent that the tower stairs
burning. The column of smoke was now very dense,
but the flames seemed to be issuing from beneath this
staircase. Good heavens Was Il not here that he
had been told Miss Warburton slept? How far had
the fire reachedg Had II already done Its work Of
destructiony Before Jeifrey's sight swept vision Of
tho girl rs lie had seen her last night, bright, sunny,
beautiful and now possibly Il mere heap of charred
aud blackened ruin. II spared him on to iustan-
taneons effort. le made an attempt to ascend: the
smoke was binding, the hot air swept his face with
searching lerceness; but the stairs stlll afforded firm
ana secure footing. The flames, however, were lick
Ing with ominons greed at the light wooden bauster
and It's supports lie gained the door which he sup
after hasty knock, turned the handle. The door
Yielded. iio eonli make out the white bed. could
almost catch the simmer of the golden hair upon the
"Miss Warbnrton! waken ~ lie cried. And then
thinking tho true cause of the disturbance would BIO
less alarming to the girl than the strange presence Ia
her room he added: ''Don't be frightened but the
house is on fire.
jeffrey guessed that she WAS not the kind of woman
to go into Mysteries or faint or do anything else alb
snid; he had reckoned upon her showing courage aud
presence of mind, and he found himself right In his
estimate.
Eyes; who Is 1t? What is the maters'' she
said, bewilierel. but sitting erect, and speaking
calmly.
at is /, Miss Warburton; there Is a fire In the
house. do not think II is much, hut the stairs
burning. WIN you come at once!'
"Don't wait Just wrap yourself In something
woolen, said he walking to the door and opening
IL.
The flames had already gained the very ntels
'Qnick, Miss WarburtOn {! There is not moment
to lose! ~ cried he sharply.
The next moment Lettice had gllded M to his side
were he stood waiting for her. lie took her hand to
lead her forward; she was very ready and composed,
but Jeffrey could feel that she trembled nervonsly.
Holding her fingers now In a rmer grasp reassure
her, he opened the door and stepped ont Oh small
'Not through there not through there - she
cried, drawing back with violent shudder ut the
sight of the smoke and flames.
md pfnnp smith
spoke to her hurrIedly Onr only alternative is the
window: is there veranda anything of that sort
below it?''
''No, nothing
.'Noproiectlon of any kind to climb ont upon9"
Nome she answered. trying to steady her
voice; 'the wall falls sheer down to the ground ~
''Come then; You shall not be hurt II can help It,
Escape easy enough II only the stairs be stone; at all
events, they are but short flight, said he encour
agngly: but at the same time he stole u glance of
much anxiety at the girl.
She only protected by some thin wrapper her
slippers, her fair hair hung In eecy cloud her
shoulders Plenty for those hungry flames to feed
upon; little to resist their vOracity.
Darling back into the room, Smith seized a blanket
from the bed and rolling 1t round her lifted her,
speeches. with asonishment into his arms and
dashed right on Bardened as he was and blinded by
the smoke he stumbled on, never lesating until ls
reached the base where What seemed to be u solid
late for hesitation, too late to go back; and with
more fervent prayer for help than had uttered
IN his life before, he plunged on. 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; at
least had never tasted the full sweetness of existence
until that moment Of blessed relief.
Setting his precious burden down, Jeffrey Smith
staggered back against the wall, more exhausted by
his exertions, and more hurt by the scorchIng breath
OF the flames, than he cared to own. lie aroused
by the sound of u soft voice speaking to him.
9 know what you have DONE MIR. Smith; know
that you have saved my life at the risk of your own''
"Not at all; 1t Is nothing, ~ answered the young
man quickly.
~ Is so much that can say nothing, SAID the
girl looking up at him. her eyes full of teas her
tones broken by emotion.
"'rhere was no one else sleeping In that part Of
house. was there ~ asked Jeffrey, starting up struck
"No! oh, no!'' cried I.ettIce laying her hand de-
tainingy upon his arm fearful that he was going to
~ was not thinking of starting upon second ex-
petition, said he smiling and taking her hand he
held II In his In warm clasp.
The next moment they were interrupted by the
awakened household assembling. One by one the In
mates Of the house came troopIg up In every form Of
unfinished aud peculiar attire, but all worked with
such Will, and the supply OF water so good that
the fire was extlngulshed by the time day dawned.
sumed, and Miss warburton's rooms partly destroyed
aud wholly spoiled by the double action OF the smoke
aud MP hose from the garden which had been
brought ~ play upon The ropilagiatOn.
The world of nature had been some time astir ami
the sun was some height In the heavens when Jeffrey
sonndly until O'Clock. Fastening then, he found
awaiting him III the breakfast room Mr. Warburt0lI,
Walking up ana down IN stale OF great agitation,
Seated before the urn was Letlce herself looking as
fresh though she had passed the night In TRANQUIL
snnber upon a bed of roses, and had stolen some of
their bloom and sweetness for herself.
Mr.. Warburton hailed Jeffrey rs his daughter de-
liyerer making many attempts TO thank him FOR the
great service he had rendered them, but regularly
broke down; and as upon each occasion he wrune
Smiths hand almost to the point of dslocatng his
shoulder, the latter was not sorry when he abandoned
The endeayor to express his gratitude, aud proposed
that breakfast should be proceeded with
No sooner was the meal over than Jeffrey and Let
tlce Were invited 10 le present at the inquiry MIR.
WaIburtOn ab0nt 10 institute into the cause OF The
fire. lie was not going 10 have his house burned
down about his ears ami moi know hp reason why
So tho entire star OF servants was snnndned anu the
inquiry opened with great formally.
" Each OF the men servants separately denied all
knowedge OF the matter; but when II came 10 the
~oHel. serYanls nrn 10 be interogatel, Mrs. ben
neli, tAe bolseklepei, Gonisiy old soman lpt q
privileged person. who had eydently been on thoins
for ten minutes past to get IN word answered with
great huency and energy; "
'Ho, sir; Ididn't do "; but know who did.
Twas mar had wiete1 gill Ilelly,"
what your niece, lietry:'' cried Mr. War
eyes, SIR assented this spartan relative:
twas she as set nre to this house, and tried burn
us all up In our beds. -
Come here, Hetty.''
In answer to the summons there came forward
pump-Iage1 country lass, shaking and crying. but
nor looking altogether re murderer and incendarY
iNow then, what have you got to sayY' asked
her master with the air Of Judge prisoner al the
bar.
The only reply Of the cplprit was fresh burst of
tears.
Miss warburton came to tho rescue. "Look at
me, lielty, - said she, In Kind and gentle voice,
land tell us how II happened
with ue gr nsr aS eyes upon o yGnng ay
ho~land's little girl had soro throai-~n
Tut, tut. tut 80 broke In the old Squire, with his
familiar expression of impatience ''Tut, tut, tut,
We don't want to hear about the health OF the parish
want to know why my house Is to be burned down,
and Miss Leitcc killed between the fire and the