The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-06-28
CHAPTER ".

In high spirits 1 set about providing my
disguise, which was to consist of a high
collar, some smart caps, a light wig and a
patrof blue spectacles, common stuff gowns
and a large snuff-box. l trusted to my re-
ally good imitation of a Scotch accent to
disguise my voice, and intended to assume
a slight deafness and weak eyes.
Franks delight and amusement, when l
treated Tim to a rehearsal of the perform
ance, was something to remember.
In all the glory of my disguise, feeling
wretchedly nervous, l waited on Captain
Richard P~onsonby, presenting timidly Lady
him attentively; he was a fine, handsome
fellow, with a happy look in his blue eyes.
"Well, old girl" he said, when he had
finished, according to this you are the very
figure for u.s."
Then he went on to state my duties.
Agreeing on all points, we settled my en-
gagement, and he told me to be ready to
sail on the Goth.
Just as l was leaving the office, who
should come in but Malcolm. I felt ready
without my agitation being noticed.
How slowly the hour moved until it was
time to sail, and how often my heart failed
me, l need not say. Enough that 1 joined
the King Cole on the Goth. When passing
me in the evening on deck, Richard called
ing merrily:
HNone too handsome about the figure
head, EN-? Not likely to. give any of the
| boys a heartache, is sheW
NV husband gazed after the spare figure
| with its ill-ftting drab gown without in
terest.
Among the passengers was a dashing New
York belle named Florence Greedy who in
sisted on my husband making love to her
by a thousand coquetries, torturing me
| with her glances. But Malcolm, as his
brother said, ''like an insensate BRUTE"
would not repay her witcheries with
the homage they doubtless deserved.
We had a fair voyage, passed with
night before we landed Richard rem
dered me a great service by saying to my
husband: "Look here, old boy, if you
anchor at New York, and set up a crib of
sort to look after your house. wiki you'd
take that timid, nervous soul, the steward
ess; she's lost aboard Ship"
I could have Rugged Dick when Malcolm.
in his ~listless way, that was now habitual
to him, agreed to accept my services. 1t
so much desired.
A month later l was installed in a hand
some house, having under me two maid
servants. My husband hau a"ver -ex-
changed a dozen words with me, or glanced
my way as many times. Dick had ar
ranged everything. And now l passed
three months in watching my husband
working himself to death in his new prac-
tice.
l despaired of ever having. sufficient
courage to make myself known to him, and
late one night 1 sat down to write to Lady
Janet, asking her advice. After writing
my letter 1 tried to read in my garnet
under the roof. Then hearing my husband
retire to his chamber, l put out my candle
and went to bed, where 1 fell quickly
asleep, worn out with thinking and sorrow.
1 don't know how long [ slept, but I was
awakened by a sitting sensation of heat,
and heard fearful cries of "Fire!" and L,
away from every one else, was up in a
small room, close under the roof.
l dashed open the window, but there was
no way of escape from there. flew to the
door, but only to behold there a sea of fire,
with flames leaping forward, as it seemed,
to earess me. l shouted madly for help,
but heard no reply, save the hoarse shouts
of the mob and the thump-thump of the
engines. Then, remembering a ladder that
led out on to the roof, | crept toward it,
and had only gained the summit when the
floor fell in witha fearful crash.
S%pringing to the parapet, 1 waved fran.
tically the blanket / had wrapped around
me, and screamed loudly for help. A
shout from below told me my signal was
seen; then upon the staring crowd there fell
a fearful hush, for at each moment the
house was expected to fall, and it seemed
madness to attempt my rescue. l realized
this as l saw a fireman, who had gallantly
offered to be the forlorn hope, fall back
lTOn bue IRE escape IalnUl0S from Ule neat
Then from out the seething mass of hu,
man beings there sprang a man who fought
} his way from the hands who held him back
and, amid a universal shout of admiration
swiftly mounted the ladder; but not more
swiftly b the flames that leaped about
him, scorching his very eyes.
Nearer and nearer he came, and l could
see his prayerful though blackened face
0 God! it was my husband. Another
moment and he stood by me, shouting
| wildly. tfThIS UaU if N-O1 ua1na 1ifo
Quickly"
followed him, climbing like a cat 10 the
extreme end of the parapet. Then l saw
why he had hurried me from the spot
where he had mounted, for burning wall.
were falling in, bearing the escape with
them.
A groan of horror like a dirge, burst
! from the multitude below. But all was not
lost yet, for about his waist and arm was
} coiled a rope, which, after covering MI
with the blanket, he tied securely beneath
my arms. Then 1 lost al lpresence of mind
and implored: "Not yet! OMalcolm my
love, my husband, save yourself!n
At the sound of my voice he reeled, anG
but for me would lave fallen. Their with
out a word, for l had turned faint, l fell
myself swinging in mid-air, steadily guided
by a firm, strong hand In a few second.
I lay a helpless heap among the shouting
crowd.
And slowly down from thatfearful height
there slid a swaying form, which, when il
was caught, bruised and bleeding, BY
friendly outstretche1 hands, was welcomed
with such a shout as rent the thick air, anC
which even now often finds an echo in my