River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-12-01

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| lordship in that state when he was
wanted to assist in the preparation of
his dinner toilet. Great was Lord
Fitg-John's anger, dire his dismay,
loud and bitter his many oaths but
my uncle, as usual, was the peace
maker, he proffered the services of
Grey, the irreproachable, who had at
tie. ded him for years.
In the evening Kate proposed that
we should have some charades in the
drawing room, but Mr. Vivian thought
we should find watching the moonlight
on the lake more pleasant.
We went and that evening | learn
ed the secret Of my heart. Lord Fitz
John said he would follow us soon he
was going to have a cigar and Mr..
Vivian, seeing me alone, offered me
his arm, and we followed our compan-
ions down to the edge of the lake
They were initiating the Hindoo girls
sending water-lillies floating down tie
stream and pretending to draw auguries
from them.
"Will you try yonr fortune, Miss
Thornley," asked Mr.. Vivian, drawing
lily near as he spoke.
"No," / said, II know my fate.
There would be no pleasure for me in
watching the shipwreck of my flower"
what viii your fate be?" he asked
gently.
"a short life and a merry one," / re-
piled recklessly; "and then, know not
what"
Hush ~ he said; "you are too
young to speak so lightly; such words
from the fresh lips of youth wound and
pain those who hear them"
"Try your fate" said, giving him a
water-lily and utterly ignoring what he
had said. He took the flower from my
hand
81 can read my fortune" he said
mournfully "There is flight from a
great danger before me, after that
combat which may last for years, and
then the peace that comes from having
done ones duty"
"Do you mean that you are going to
leave us?8 | asked.
Every soon, Miss Thornley," he re-
piled; "he is wise man who flies from
danger as awaits me-"
Why did my heart futter and leap
st his words? He could not mean any
thing about me. What charm could a
frivolous child like myself have in the
eyes of noble and high-souled man?
''Put the flower in the water" said;
land, if it floats safely far away down to
that dropping ash, then take it as an
augury that you will have what you
wish for
We sat in breathless silence, the moon
shone brightly upon the waters. and we
saw the tiny white lily floating steadily
as the light breeze blew it down to the
ash trees.
There - cried, triumphantly-
'you will have your wish, Mr.. Vivian"
1.-THE stars are not farther from my
reach" he answered quietly; then Kate
Joined us. and we said no more.
But that night, long after the house
was wrapped in silence and slumber, |
sat at my window watching the moon
light. My heart was awake at last, its
long sleep was over. and | found that /
loved Eustace Vivian-loved him so
that my life would be blank without
him, so much that the day he left me
the light would fade from my life and
Joy come back to me no more. I'M
consciously, unknowingly, | had let my
heart go out to him, and it would never
be my own again. | did not wonder at
myself it seemed so natural that |
should love him he was so good, so
noble, so wise.
Hours had passed since first sat by
the window. Gradually began to no
tice smoke rising in clouds to the quiet
night sky. Then l became conscious
of peculiar cracking noise, and
strong smell Of fire penetrated to my
room. l jumped up hastily; oh, why
had | lost my time in dreamingl The
corridor was full of smoke, and / felt
sure that the house was On fire.
| knew that my uncle's room was
next to mine, and | ran thither as
quickly as / could, the smoke binding
and singing my eyes. called to him
so loudly that l awoke the Others, and
presently there was a confused noise,
hasty gathering of frightened people,
and then we found that the whole of
the lower part of the house was on fire.
Forked tongues of flames came leaping
up the staircase. To have attempted
to descend it would have been almost
certain death. Oh, the horror of that
scene, the roaring of the flames, the
shrieks for help, the msddening ankle
ty, the dreadful fear that we should be
burned to death unless help came, and
came soonl The flame mounted with
fierce rapidity.
'1f they see the fire on the shore we
shall soon have assistance" said my
70
Mr.. Vivian was cool and collected
he took the lead, and we gladly obeyed
him. The only chance for dear life, he
said, was to light our way into the top |
story of the house, and then to knot |
sheets and blankets together, so that
some at least might be saved. He and
my uncle volunteered to stand by the |
window and lower us down.
Winter and more fearful than all was
the face of my betrothed husband; and |
above the roaring of the fire, above the |
and weeping of women, |
heard him crying out that he would |
give thousands to the man who would |
save him; and, while my uncle and |
Eustace Vivian made the rope on which |
our lives depended. he whined out that |
it was unheard of that an English peer
should perish like q trampled wild
beast. Moved by pity for his fears, 1
CROPPED my way to him, and tried to re-
assure him. He pushed me from him.
Curse you !" he said; "but for your
dolls face | should not have been in
this danger !"
He said it-others heard it beside
| had no time to answer,
for underneath the door we saw the
two little jets of flame, and we knew
our enemy was upon us. Flames were
beneath and around us, and the room
was full of terrified people, and no
chance of escape presented itself save
through the narrow window
1--WE can only save one more p'
cried my uncle. "The fire is upon US
we cannot see Ernestine," he called
loudly, "come quickly, child, or you
will be too late"
A sheet of flame curled near his feet
as he spoke, held out my arms, but
before | could seize the knotted rope,
Lord Fitz-John, mad with terror,
caught it in my place, and lett me to
die. In the darkness and smoke my
uncle did not perceive who it was that
his strong hand had saved until too
late.
"The cowardly villain r. he cried.
"Miss Thornley, rnestine where
are your" cried the voice of Eustace
Vivian