Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1884-08-23

myself any further about getting good
match for you. resign ail respcnsibil.
ity about YOU" and sliss Barbara ma
iestically left the rocfa.
Jessie raised her heed and wiped her
eyes.
II don't care what Aunt Barbara
says, she said. "Iil die an Old maid
sooner than marry one ni those fops =
and she took up some embroidery aud
worked away energeticalIy upon it.
a day or two after this. as Jessie was
seated In the parlor reading. her
brother entered The room. saying:
Come, Jessie, you are losing all
your roses by staying in the house SO;
come and take a walk, won't you? 2"
Willingly" said Jessie and soon,
equipped, they started forth.
SO you gave your fond adorers the
niltten the other day, did you ?" in
lnrcd her brother, rs they walked on.
II guess did" replied Jessie II
put q stop to their tactics instanter"
And left them broken hearted,
suppose ?" said her brother, langhingly.
Never fear returned Jessie "they
have as much heart or gizzard now as
they ever had, guess. But, Walter, I
wonder What has become of Edgar St.
Clair, whom We met last winter He is
one OF those like and esteem very
highly. He was SO different from my
late adorers i
Come this way, JESSIE" interrupted
Walter, drawing her to one side, ''see
that immense crowd coming. Some
thing unusual must be the matter"
In moment the throng swept by.
Jessie and Walter quickened their foot
steps, and, turning a corner, came in
sight of an immense fire, which had
originated in q large dwelling house.
The firemen, who had arrived, had given
up all hopes Of saving the house, and
were directing their energies toward the
adjacent buildings.
"Oh, Walter, hear those screams p
exclaimed Jessie. "Oh, that could
help them. There must be some child
/ III the burning DuudlnR.
"Come away, JESSIE" said Walter.
"There is such crowd that could not
be able to give any help. Don't let Ills
| atay hero"
ooh, yes, Walter-stay, stay" cried
Jessie, springing up the steps of large
house. II am safe here, and I must see
if any one is saved See p she con-
tinued, turning toward the fire, "there
is some one going up the ladder He
reaches the window. Oh, may he be
| successful
AS she spoke young man had forced
his wny through the crowd, had as
cended the ladder, and stretching forth
his arm, was soon seen rapidly descend
ing, bearing child in his arms.
AS he reached the ground, another
child appeared at the window and
screamed for help. Again he spraug up
the ladder, but the crowd suddeply
snrging forward shook it, and he fell to
the ground, crushing bis foot under
him
Don't mind me-" he cried, as soon
as he could speak; "the child--save it :
'Couldn't do it, sir, said one Of the
men, shaking his head; ''the house Is
most burnt up, and Ivy the time we get
up there the flames would reach the lad
der, and it would fall, then where would
we be, | wonder? NV life is too precious
! ! l, AZ
"Wlll no one 10 it - exclaimed the
Young man, dcspairinglv; AMI lifting bis
voic, he cried: will no one save the
child?'
The answer came from all, 'Too
late, and many skunk away.
Then You must have an example. :.
cried the young man, feebly. and with
great difficulty he dragged himself to
the ladder, growing pal,r every moment
from increasing pain, ard manfuily e1-
erting all his strength, he worked him
self uplthe ladder, reached the window,
grasped the child firmly, then came q
binding crash, and all was blank
A dark, quiet room, light hand on
his brow and sonnd of weeping. and
then whispered ION. doctor. viii be
die e. These sounds greet the sufferer,
and he opens his eyes and tries TO raise
himself. but sharp pain in his head
forces him to fall back again.
Jessie Ashton tent over him and took
his hand.
"Do you feel better ?" she asked. ten
derry; "Oh, l thought YOU were dead :
and her tears flowed a.resh.
a little better" replied the Invalid
with smile. then gazing earnestly 8,
her sweet face. he continued Have
we not met before? seem 10 remen1
Der YOU Your name. sweet lady?'
Jessie Ashton, was the reply, and
yours q
Edgar ST. Cair," said the youns