Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-18
GaLes ano Skettkfs.
MASTER OF NAN:
lcon,inuued from res,erday.l

Lois had often wondered why he was so
kind to her. Now she understood.
He was perfect gentleman She knew
that he was in earnest, tor he was too hon.
orable to stoop to deceit. too honorable to
allow any doubts of his motives.
She thought about it in a swirl muddled
way. She thought about Dick, and her
heart gave little thrill at recollections OF
his love for her that was like a reaching
out of hands to him. And vet Dick was
poor--miserably poor. Leverson was rich
He could give her all the beautiful things
she had eraved 50 long. A confused union
of pictures and flowers. of rich dresses and
beautiful books went whiriing throug her
brain TO the accompaniment OF the grind
ing. pitiless wheels.
II can't think now" she cried, putting
up both hands to her throbbing brow.
Don't ask me 10. Some other time I'll
tell you"
Take your own time to think it over
in.'' he said. TRY to think tavoraoly,
Lois. for want you very much need
you
When she went back to her loom after
dinner she WAS more like machine than
ever. for she scarcely comprehended the
details of her work. II is likely that she
attended to them all. but she did so me-
chanicaliy. Her thoughts were elsewhere.
The wheels went round and round. Her
thoughts went on and on. Should she
choose tor her heart? II she did, she
should choose Dick-dear patient. willing
Dick. Should she choose for her selfish
self /, Then she thought of what Leverson's
wealth could give her. The machinery
seemed to be crashing at her with iron
Jaws. She fancied 1t was great animal
snarling at her.
Pm going home" she cried, at Tenth.
.I'm sick. dizzy, faint. If | stay here
shall 20 crazy. I've got to get away by
myself and think shall have no rest till
get it all thought out.
She put on her bonnet and shawl and
went out into the cool October air.
How peaceful the blue hills looked tar
of. She wished she were on one of them.
Then nothing would fret her her restless
ness would be gone.
Oh, which to choose-which to choose'
The words made little verse of them
selves, and her brain set them to the
monotonous tune turning spindles and
darling shuttles.
She went toward home in a slow round
about way She saw men and women and
little children. Some of them bowed or
spoke to her. She did not recognize one
face among them ALL Her thoughts were
not with the things about her. She SEEM
ed thousand miles away from earth and
everybody.
Suddenly the great factory bell filled
the air with swift clangor that hurt her
ia h,I 70
it.
Something has happened" she cried,
turning to look back. But the houses hid
the factory from her sight.
The bell rang out its hoarse alarm.
She ran up the street. When she reached
the end of the block she saw a great black
cloud OF smoke breaking above the roofs
of the building between her and the fac
tory. Then she knew the truth. The
factory was on fire.
"Oh. Dick. Dick she thought, and
hurried toward the burning building. Per-
haps there was something her tired hands
could do to help The poor wretches who
were trying to escape death What
would become of them. of her, if the fac
tory burnedP
She knew. before she reached it. that
the factory could not be saved. The win
dows were loopholes of fire. The caves
were wreathed with flames that coilvd aud
uncoiled themselves like writhing SER
penis.
Suddenly great cry rang out from the
crowd. and she saw hands pointing TO the
window of n room over the main entrance.
Looking up she saw Leverson standing
there. His face was very white. He
must have been asleep. men said. and the
fire bad reused him from what might have
been pleasant slumber, to put him face
TO face with an awful danger.
at is death tor him, ;" thought Lois with
stitled breath. There's no possible way
of escape"
she knew-Diek's voice. and there was
something grand in the sound of it.
Then she saw him fighting his way
through the flames, and the last glimpse
of his face showed her how brave it was
in the wild tempest of fire and smoke.
She held her breath and waited. pale
and trembling. while her heart kept say
ing over and over, in prayerful kind OF
way; "Dear Dick Oh. God, save him -
She knew then. in the face of the awful
DANGER. tnat tnt lover VINO was Tlsklng
his life so nobly was more to her than the
lover he was risking his life for could ever
be. She had made her choice ut last.
Suddenly. through the flame and smoke
she caught sight of Dicks face at the
window of Leverson's room. He hat
Leverson in his arms.
Throw up rope" shouted Dick
"Be quick. for Gods sake"
Some strong hand flung the line he
asked for. He fastened one end of it tc
the unconscious Leverson. and lowered
him to the ground lust as the flames burs
out of the window below him, wrapping
the whole front of the mill in seethine
sheet of fire.
A groan went through the crowd
There was no hope for Dick. He had
saved life at the loss of his own.
''Dick. Dick - rang out a woman
voice. sharp and shill, and full of terrible
entreaty. Try to save yourself for nas
sake ~
He heard. and leaned far out of the win
dow in wild desire to save his life for
the sake of the woman he loved He saw
the wire of one of the lightning rods not a
foot away from the window. MAY be i,
was strong enough to hold his weight.
R,,t ronfd ha ~, fhrn,cb tho hall ,f s.,