Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-12-01

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
shrleks for help, the maddening ankle
ty, the dreadful fear that we should be
burned to death unless help came, and
came soon! The fame mounted with
fierce rapidity.
"If they see the fire on the shore we
shall soon have assistance" said my
uncle, trying to encourage US.
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.
Whittier and more fearful than all was
the face of my betrothed husband; and
! above the roaring of the fire, above the
moaning and weeping Of women, l
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 a trampled wild
beast Moved by pity for his fears, I
CROPPED my way to him, and tried to re-
assure him. He pushed me from him.
Curse you p he said; ''but for your
dolls face | should not have been in
this danger !"
He said it-others heard it beside
mysef-but had no time to answer,
for underneath the door we saw the
two little jets of fame, 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
owe can only save one more r'
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 !'' he cried.
''Miss misunderstanding where
are you" cried the voice of Eustace
Vivian
[ at once sprang toward him. He
opened his arms and clasped me to his
heart.
''My darling-my treasure !" he
said; ''let us die together"
| remember one moment Of unutter-
able bliss, even though fearful death
awaited US, and then [ became insensi-
ble-all was blank. When I opened
my eyes again I was lying on the soft,
deW-laden grass, my arms terribly
scOrched and burned, hanging helpless
by my side, and the Folly a mass OF
smouldering fire.
[ never saw Lord Fitz John again.
Before [ was quite awake, about noon
Of the next day, when we were back at
DurOnmere, my aunt came into my
room to tell me that my uncle protest
ed vehemently against my marriage
with his lordship; that he thought had
better die than entrust myself to so
cowardly and selfish man.
| told her that I had already come to
the same decision; but I never told her
Or any one else how, taking advantage
Of the darkness and binding smoke, he
had pulled the rope out of my hands
to save his life at, as it then appeared,
the expense Of my own.
He left Duronmere the morning at
ter the fire. My uncle wrote him a
few curt lines to tell him that his niece
released him from his promise, giving
neither reason or excuse He had the
good sense to take his departure qui-
city.
am the happy wife OF the noblest
man in the world.