The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-01-28

how am, he said, as soon as he could
recover breath enough to speak.
1.-The flames heated the air until was
obliged to duck my Head under, then
the burning reeds fell into the water. till
they set it to steaming, and when /
raised my head4 got a breath of hot air,
that made me think my choice lay b.
tween boiling and roasting; I'd like -
see the fellow that kindled the fire in 's.J
place awhile; how Jared you?9s u"
Il am scorched some, butvery glad to
escape so easily, although | have not the
least desire to try it again. But bark!
what was thatP"
The two men listened anxiously for
a moment, and the sound was repeated,
striking a chill to their hearts far more
terrible than anything they had before
| experienced.
1t was human cry, and SO full of ag-
ony and despair that the two men trem-
bled as it came borne across the waste.
fearfully wild and distinct above theroar
of the flames.
''Tls a woman's voice, , said the elder
man, as shudder ran throughhis frame
at thought of fellow-being per-
ishing horribly, so near that they could
hear the heart-rending shrieks.
''Look, lookn' shouted the younger
man, pointing in the direction
from which the sound proceeded, where,
darkly outlined against the lurid sky,
female form was visible retreating be-
fore the flames, which every moment
gained upon her.
20 God! it is my Lily! my own prec-
ious child! Is there no way to save
her?' exclaimed the elder man despair
ingly, as his gaze fell upon the fleeing
girl. '
ALAS, none,'' were the unuttered
words that rose to the lips of his COM
panion, as his eye measured the distance,
and he saw how utterly futile would be
any attempt at rescue. Uf HH
The father comprehended whata single
the flames would overtake her before
they could traverse half the distance and
it would only involve useless sacrifice
of two more lives. He raved in agony.
A lifetime of torture seemed to concen-
trate in the moments as they watched
the fragile girl, as she sped hopelessly
on as if striving to evade, if only for a
moment, the fate that awaited her. 30
Look! look! again shouted the young
man, pointing to a dark object which
neither had previously observed. I'd
1t was horseman, riding at full speed
toward the fleeing girl, dashing straight
in toward the fire as if willing to meet
the flames halfway.
To the men who watched his course it
seemed like rushing into the very Jaws
of death, but the horseman- never falt-
cred. With an encouraging shout to the
girl, who now ran to meet him, he
dashed onward, unheeding the current
of heated air and sitting smoke that was
waited toward him. ....
g Too late! Too late! He cannot re-
pass the ground" groaned the father,
as his eye measured the hopeless distance
which lay between his child and safety
g If there is man in the world who
can save her it is John Harper" said his
companion encouragingly. .t...
i" John Harper! Is 1t he?" gasped
the father, land it was only yesterday
that l told her never to be seen in his
company again, and now the brave fellow
is riding straight into the flames to per-
ish with her." and the HOPELESS father
groaned in anguish.
g See! he has reached her; he swings
her to a seat behind him, and wheels
about to recross the ground" and with
cheering shout the young man endeav-
ored to encourage the heroic fellow.
HAS he gone mdd?' he asked few
moments later. g He is not taking the
shortest cut, but is bearing away to the
right!'' '''
ut matters not: It's but hopeless
race with the winds. and no horse in
America could run it. 0, my poor child,
| O, my brave boy!n and the father coy
cred his face with his hands and groaned
in agony, '.a it" @'.'-
The rider knew the strength of the
animal as we'll as any one; he could feel
the painting sides and note the slackened
speed of the willing beast, and clearly
realized the inability of the horse to carry
his double burden across the intervening
space, but if he could urge him to make
a few more desperate bounds he, could
reach the solitary tree that stood like a
lone sentinel in the midst of that scene
of terror and desolation.
The horse already staggered with ex-
haustion, but with whip and voice he
urged him on, until trembling in every
limb, he paused beside the tree.
"QuicE, Lily, climb for your life!' he
said, standing erect in the saddle, and
helping her Aas far he could reach, then
swinging himself up he assisted her to a
seat upon a branch out of the reach OF
the scorching flames.
The horse stood for few seconds, as
if to recover breath for final effort, and
freed from his burden, made another
effort for his own safety, He staggered
forward, and fell upon his knees. Just
inside the burned region, where the men
were standing, and not moment toe
soon. The father ran to him, and throw.
ing his arms around his neck, caressed
him with tears of gratitude. ..! .-....
"rll take it all back, John. You're
good enough for the Presidents daugh.
ter; take Lily and my whole farm with
her, if want to- he said, as he
grasped the brave mans hands as, he
descended from the tree.
"I'll accept your Offer minus the
farm, p was the smiling reply. ~h" 51'
How came you out here, Lily?'
asked the father. 4.t.7 r-.. a.
.