The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1881-10-19
n the rustic seat beside the water.

10Y 10y 'sNSsaSSA.
aIf there should be shower, it
will certainly be drenched and ruin.
ed" said Della to herself. "It's Just
midnight, and every one in tho house
is sound asleep, I'll go out and get
it,"
Throwing on lightcambric dress.
ing-gown, she crept softly down the
stairs. As she descended, some one
carrying candle somewhat unstead.
lily came up. 1t was Honora, the
new cook, who had just come to Aza.
lea Cottage"
aHonora,' said Della, somewhat
sharply, "you are late tonight
The new cook, who had been rec
Eommended from her last place as a
prodigy Of skill and excellence, made
no reply, but smiled rather foolishly
upon Miss Fielding as she sided by.
81 believe" thought Della, with a
sudden revelation, "lhat Honora
drinks! 1 do believe she does. l
must caution aunt about it to.mor-
row."
She stood watching at the foot of
the stairs, until the cook and the can.
die disappeared simultaneously into
the attic bedroom, and then she went
out, closing the front door softly be-
hind her.
All was still, dewy aud fragrant
outside. By the faint light of the
stars she made her way down the
foot-path to the glen, and discovered
the book lying just where she had
left it. But the sweet air, and the
magic silver glitter of the far.off
stars, and the sound Of u nightingale
singing far, far away down in the
valley, lured her to linger a little
longer than she had originally in.
tended to do, so that the church
clock struck one before she came into
the lilac thickets at the foot Of the
garden.
All Of a sudden lurid sheet of
flame shot redly athwart the horizon
"a wild confusion usurped the sweet
stiffness of the night; and, looking
up, Della Fielding perceived, to her
infinite dismay and terror, that Aza-
lea Cottage was on firel
The weather had been intensely
dry and sultry for some weeks-the
pretty little Gothic structure was
lik so much dry tinder, and blazed
up like Fourth Of July bonfire; and,
as Dellu stood rooted to the ground
by horror and alright, she heard
hurrying footsteps.
"Della!" cried the deep voice of
Major Silverpen. Where is Della?"
Isn't she here?" said Mr.. Brook.
stanbaugh, looking at the little
crowd Of trembling servants who
huddled under a rustic summer-Aouse
near by.
"Della!" shrieked Aunt Bridget,
in diShabiiLc Of dimity and red fan
mel, which made her look like Harle.
quin ready for the stage. Where is
my little Della? l looked in her
room, and l thought made sure
she wasn't there. But l can't see
her anywhere, and she must be iu
her room. Oh, Della! Dellaw
Della heard every word from her
retreat, but she thought of the cam.
brio drcssing-gown and the little
feet thrust into ill-6tting slippers,
and she held her tongue.
"1f could but catch Aunt Bridg-
cts eye!" she thought to herself. "If
she would only look this way!"
"Silverpen!" cried Mr.. Brookstan-
baugh, catching at his companisn's
arm, "where in the name of common
sense are you going? Don't you
know it is dangerous to stir any
nearer to these flying sparks?"
"Let go of my arm, Brookstan-
baugh!" cried Major Silverpen, in
accents of concentrated wrath and
scorn. Dangerous! Who talks of
danger when she is in peril?"
"But do listen to reason, mani If
she really is inside that burning
she'll no human effort can rescue
her!" pleaded Brookstanbaugh.
II acat rescue her, or ! will perish
i'll the attempt!" said Silverpen, US
he rushed forward.