Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-01-19

er ages whitening breath, who must for
ever fear LIES thousand accidents and
changes.
Yet he was going away, whittier |
knew not, nor for how long, and loved
him. remembered that, and that only,
when night came, night which is friend
ly only to the happy, whose shadows
darken still more deeply Swallowed
hearts. Sleep was long coming, but l
fell finally into the heavy slumber OF ex-
haustion.
Philosophers tell US that all estima-
ton of time in dreams, by the feelings
or events taking place therein, is impos-
sible, but surely it was hours that a
mountain lay on my breast, that mon
ster's choking hand clutched at my
throat.
But Igasped and struggled into waking
and reality at last. The room was full
of smoke, dense and binding, and with.
out its doors heard rush and crack
ling as of flames. / felt my way diZzily to
the door, that opened into the hall, but
already the stairways, front and back,
were on fire, cutting off my escape. My
room communicated with that in which
Rimaux had set up his easel, and thither
now went, and crouched down by the
side of my picture. as # that could give
me some companionship in death,
for it needed but a few moments
after my awakening for me to compre-
bend that the house was on fire, that l
had been forgotten, and that there was
nothing left for me but to wait the COM
ing of the fierce, red-tongued fiend that
writhed itself at every moment nearer
the door of the apartment in which |
was. The smoke had nearly suffocated
me in my sleep. I suppose, for all my
senses seemed dulled and stupefed, and
did not even think to 60 to window,
and try to attract attention, If, perchance,
help might be rendered me in any way
from without.
"Ah, me-" murmured to my I'M
conscious double, eve shall perish
but you, at least, he will re-
gret!'
Oh, sad is death, when it takes one
from loves reach, but bitter and desc
late indeed it seems to look forward to
q grave that shall be watered by no tear.
A grave? Should have grave even,
or would the four winds OF heaven scat
ter my ashes whittier they listed?
A horror of death, of such swift, con-
suming, annihilating death, of nothing
ness so utter and sudden, seize upon
me at this thought. groveled in agony
and despair upon the floor behind the
picture, my head buried in pillow, to
deaden as much as I might the ever
louder roar of the approaching flames.
became conscious of a noise
at one of the windows, of q presence
within the room. Before I could raise
my head or speak, a hand snatched the
picture from the easel, and turned to
fly. It was Rimaux, come at the peril
of his life, to save my portrait, while 1,
forgotten and uncared-for, was left to
perish. Nature, against my will, against
my pride, uttered the cry that burst
from my lips as he turned to the
window, unheeding me.
"Great Heavens!' he cried at the
call, "are you then here, Regina?
Come, there is not an instant to be lost!
To the ladder; you frst!''
I staggered up to my feet, but, even
IN the moment that had delayed him,
he flames burst through the walls of
he apartment from the burning EaD
within, and, at the same instant, q red |
lag of fire Haunted in at the window
rom without.
"Come! comet" he said, almost saw
lgely, through his set teeth, Selling me,
Ind thrusting me out from certain death |
behind to little less than certain death |
before, for already the ladder was on |
ire. Down, down, me first, and after
ne Rimaux, few brief moments in re-
Ility, an age in seeming. Now barbed |
ongue darted out from the streaming
windows below, and almost licked my
heck as [ passed, now fiery fingers
cached and snatched at my hair, while
'lasts of hot air came at every breath
ng, and the rounds of the ladder were
hot to my feet and hands.
"God forgive me that forgot for a
title all save Lulu and the child!" l
leard Theo murmur, as he received me
It the ladders foot, enveloping me
lose in some wooden garment to crush
ut the fire which had seized upon me.
must have tainted just then, for 1
no more till found myself
ying upon bed at the house of a neigh
'or, while over me was bending good
Id Doctor Legion.
"Never fear" he said, as I opened
ny eyes, your Soou lOOkS are al Sa1e, |
Regina. There won't be q scar, and
our hair will soon repair damages for
self"
1 turned my face YEARLY away, for the
fusion to my beauty recalled how it
that Rimaux had saved me,
tut how had it Jared with himp for he
ad been behind me, and every moment
ad told in that flight from fire.
At this moment, Lulu, standing in the
DOR, and dismissing the doctor with
ONE words which was not needing,
ighed softly
s:Poor Rimaux!"
&c Lulu!" called. 'sLulu, come here!
What of Monsieur Rimaux?'''
He went back" she said, hesitat-
Ugly; "went back for something after
e was half way down. It was mad
ess-''
For something? For that accursed
icture! grasped her arm so fercely
nat she uttered little cry of pain.
He is not dead?" said. ssHe is not
cad %,