Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-06-26

to condemn her. All her prize and
defiance rose up.
II am going to the theatre with
Mr.. Satterly. Have you any OBJ
jectiors ?"
He bent his head close TO her
ear.
II have come 20 save you. II
you go to the theatre with Mr..
Satterly | disowo you as my wife!"
THAT is as you please. go 10
the theater with Mr.. Satterly."
"You ave chosen"
He turned from her. She went
swiftly up the stairs.
In a few minutes Ned Satterly
and Mrs. Wynham sat together in
the theatre. He did not know of
her meeting with her husband.
He appreciated her coming with
him as proof of renewed trust
which he would never betray or
forget.
The rain had ceased, bnt occa-
sionly the roar of thunder was
heard and flash of lightning IL
lumlned the nall.
Suddenly; after a cessation of
about ten minutes, there came a
deafening peal, loud as though the
whole heavens hsd been hurled.
upon the building, three binding
flashes in quick succession, a crack
ling asunder of walls, and a loud,
terrible cry.
"The house is struck 4! Fire !
Fire ~
In a moment the seats were
empty.
Mrs. Wynham started up. Ned
Satterly tried to hold her back.
She wrenched herself from him,
crying;
"Let me go! / must see him
He must forgive me!'
Ned Satterly knew that if he sat
still the chances for life were in
his favor, for the lightning had
struck the other side, and the wall
though cracked, was not likely to
fall soon. But the hour had come
to prove his trust. His place was
beside her. He followed her, push
ing his way as a strong man can.
He caught her in his arms, whis-
pering
Cling close-for his sake ~
He pushed his way, regardless
of screams from terrified women,
of imprecations from men less
powerful than he. He gained the
outer passage; he was halfway
down the stairs. There was a sud-
den swaying of the crowd, a res
sure against the slight side-railing
causing it to give way.
Then Ned Satterly, still clutch
ing his burden, crying: II cannot
save you, my darling, my dar-
ling y fell down, into the hall be-
meath. He knew that suddenly
she was snatched from him, that a
heavy weight fell on him, then
all was still.
When Ned Satterly awoke he
found himself in a large room,
with Wynham bending over him.
He knew that death was swiftly
approaching-was staring him in
the face.
us she all safe, Wylham?"
"Safe, Satterly. i was standing
below when the crash came. You
held her bravely. / had just time
to snatch her from you, and then
and then-they fell down upon
you, Satterly."
There was a mist before Mr..
Wynhams eyes, and his voice
was not steady.
Satterly stretched out his arm
and drew Mr.. Wynham to him.
He spoke with effort and at inter-
walls.
Take care OF her, Wynham.
She is true TO you. The wrong
and the blame are mine. Ask her
to forgive me. Tell her / count
my life lightly, for it saved hers"
Ned Satterly's brave young
spirit went fearlessly forth into
the valley of the shadow of death.
He had given his life for a wo-
man who was not worthy; he had
died with no thought of reproach
to her, with a prayer for forgive
ness from her upon her lips.
If there is atonement for sin,
surely he had made it. If there is
pardon for sin, surely he had found
it.
Mr.. Wynham sank by the sofa
and buried his face. A white
robed figure with haggard face
and great black staring eyes, en-
tered the room. She looked at the
man lying dead, in the pride and
glorious strength of his manhood,
at the fair face still peaceful. She
knelt beside her husband, not dar-
ing to touch the dead man who
had made himself a sacrifice for
her, not daring to touch the living
man who had suffered and must