New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-11-09
CHAPTER XVI.

When O'Neal saw Miss Dawson safe in the arms
of the crowd below the linen united remained in
his hand; he could easily, BY fastening the other
end, have swung himself to the grOuni. But Inc
dared not. Though be had before the eyes of the
multitude accomplished what no other dared do.
though even ut that moment their hearts were
athIob with his bravery, he could not trust himself
among them. At the window with death in the
flames roaring around him. hungerng for hun. he
stood Il hero. But down there among them whis
percd word would make him 4 captive, feion. a
something for children to shrink from. for women
to tremble at. For second he looked mt those
faces watching him. listened 10 their cheers. and his
heart cried out against his fate. Another second.
and down on the door he CROPPED his way to tho
! door, Battling with flames. shielding his face with
scor,hing lands lie reached the Dalustrade Of the
strircasc or hardest wood il still resisted the fire.
although in great gaps filled in with lcaping hames
the stops themselves wero gone. Closing his eyes
and clinging TO the balustradc he slid down. dash
ng through fire AMI smoke. until nearly strangled.
almost faining. no gainel his feet and staggering
put out his hand TO keep from falling. lie had
passed through the doorway of a largo room. when
with u mighty crash tho roof fell ill. Parts OF 1T
Xix balls of fire came rolling down the steps. as he
reached the closet FROM which he had helped remove
the vaiuables. Strangled by smoke. with hands
torn and bleeding expecting momen'arily II fearful
death his heart cried out at fate's cruel mockery.
Hotter and hotter grew the air Pro tIate Oh til"
ground he groaned in agony bel ter to rush ont iif0
captivity tnan to perish III the flames. He had
given up his liberty-for what To be strangled
like a rat in hole. "Oh. Julie. my, Wife,, His
heart yrarned for her. He felt mad impulse to
curse God and die. Then over the roaring. crack
ling flames Mary's voice, and through their
scarlet shone tho whitcness of her window, Again
she was Oherng her life for his, again she MIR
mured Endure to the end"
81 will. | Will" ho cried. half-suifocatcd. he
fell scnseess.
cleared away. the fire WAS over; gray dawn was
Lighting the ruined manson. But III, dawn
brought only fresh danger for HIM. "a faint and
weak h. loaned against the wall Something rest
ing heavily on his shoulders made him put up his
hand. and with thankfnness no found that through
all the perils of the night the bundle Janet had
rolled MP for him still-securcly strapped to his
hack christening it lie found that the blanket
was much singed aud burned IN great holes, but the
bottle OF dive and the gray wig were IN good con
di,ion. Inspired by Them with hope and strength.
at one of The ruined mirrors IN the great room he
covered face and hands with the wash, ana then
puttlrg on the wig no longer recognized himself
Cautiously pcerng from the hall door he saw men
who were evidently on guard watching ms chance
he stole through the hall, down some Steps, out u
back entrance, and into "a building used as a
ki,chen When steps approached he hid himself,
and then as the wdtchmen turned and walked away
from his place Of cuncealncnt. hc hastily snatched
up some bread that lay on tray ana ran unnotic.d
from the house out of the grounds aud INTO the
streets Once away from the immediate vicinity of
the fire he found the streets deserted. But just as
feeling of comparative security was enaOhn2 INN,
haf-i;;mshed lie was. to swallow some OF the
bread, quick footsteps ech0lng III the quiet al the
morning made linn spring Tor conct alment behind
the hedge that bordeIed on the old garden. is
heart stood STILL as cautiously peeplhg between the
leaves hr recognized the man VINO WIN Wutfhiul
eyes liked on the smoking. ruin walked quickly on.
1t was Stern. of the cruelest guards in iitons
camp. $500, =, -
recognized hnf These donbis changed almost TO
certainty when the convict guard, after some little
parey with Il negro passed over tho iron iei'e m
closing the scene OF last nights hire. ami haNenlng
up e. the smOu derlng ruins disappeared IN the stone
entrance. lie Is looking for something. lie Is
looking for me-" O'Neal lett the shcterng hedge.
There was not q moment to be lost. Beading over
until the massive shoulders took the rounding OF
age and the gray Wig concealed his face, he hurried
along fast as no could with the snhDllng gait ne
had assumed. He would reach the country, and
there under bushes lie and rest until the day had
gone; night would kindly help him on his way. lie
turned to where the trees seemed rearcst and
walked on Many feet were now waking INTO hustle
the sleepiug town and among them Neal could not
80 easily detect those steps for which he STAINED his
cara He had not heard them when, stopping ut q
corner n man stood beside HIN, and he saw Stern
shoulder to shoulder stood the two men. one salts
fying himself with look the other on guard ready
to battle Tor his iie moment more and Stern
passed on. and with n gasp. burned glance. the
negro ran swiftly down side street II was quiet
street the houses were small, humblc,and FAR apart
Their inmates were at work aud did not notice the
nying negro. Running ~ the mildle oi the road ms
steps we've seless, and soon by fortunate chance
he found himself ont of the town.
Al ast he WAS alone l,tpathless h. snnk npnh the
ground testiug on The soft grass. sathcrhs STRENGTH
from natures brrist. canness from her breath,
uyeihrea we've the swnyiHs branches o 'iees, any any
aiunnh him laehpani the soothing hum oi insett
he Ohnal had found peaceful SPOT where even
4 fugitive miahl net lie took ph the lOt WIG
Here ib U0l's country out ~ me IVY nsus w
man, he gathered hUpe and luohlMe ahetd Nhe,e
the psths divided epepNlatehas ~ witch he shend
take, n NJ AeMe nNiet farm hense Ne eehiHnht
selsin emplesme ls weahs We Mas' Mst i"s AN w