News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1884-07-17

screamed for help. Again he sprang up
the ladder, but the crowd suddenly
surging forward shook it, and he fell to
the ground, crushing his 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 by the time we get
up there the flames would reach the lad
der, and it would fall, then where would
we be, wonder My life is too precious
to be risked in that way" =
"Will no one do it ?" exclaimed the
young man, despairingly; and lifting his
voice. he cried: "Win no one save the
child ?"
The answer came from all, "Too
late," and many skunk away.
"Then you must have an example, B"
cried the young man, feebly, and with
great difficulty he dragged himself to
the ladder, growing paler every moment
from increasing pain, and manfully ex-
erting all his strength, he worked him
self up the ladder, reached the window,
grasped the child firmly, then came a
binding crash, and all was blank.
A dark, quiet room, light hand on
his brow, and sound of weeping, and
then a whispered "Oh, doctor, will he
die? ?" 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 bent over him and took
his hand.
"Do you feel better ?" she asked, ten
derly; "Oh, I thought you were dead, y
and her tears flowed afresh.
ga little BETTER" replied the invalid,
with smile, then gazing earnestly at
her sweet face, he continued "Have
we not met before? 1 seem to remem-
Der you. Your name, sweet lady?"
"Jessie Ashton" was the reply; "and
yours ?"
edgar st. Clair" said the young
man.
Jessie turned away for an instant to
hide her emotion.
"'Tis he, indeed p she murmured.
81 knew it. felt it. Oh, Heavenly
Father, spare his noble life -
"Do you feel well enough to talk a
httle?" she said, approaching him again.
eff you do, tell me how you could as
cend that fearful ladder so disabled? ?"
'I do not know" returned Edgar,
with kindling eyes. "The child was all
that was in my thoughts. did no
feel the pain see the danger But
what happened as I grasped the child ?"
1.-THE ladder gave way, and came
crashing to the ground, replied Jessie,
shuddering; s'the child fell from your
arms, and was caught by one of the
crowd, but you struck the ground, L
think. My brother pressed forward and
lifted you up for dead, and brought you
here. That was three days ago. Oh,
how earnestly we watched for the first
signs of life, and to-day we were almost
despairing. The doctor was almost GER
tain you were dead"
81 have been mercifully preserved,
said Edgar, and the doctor coming in al
that moment, prohibited further con-
versat;on at present.
The months wore away, bringing
strength and health to the invalid
Jessie was his constant nurse, and wher
his brow was heated with fever, no hanc
could soothe like hers, no touch feel Sc
refreshing. Perhaps it was partly thli
that helped him to recover so soon, TO
he loved his sweet little nurse with al
the order of his strong nature. Fo
hours she would sit by his side, will
her soft, cool hand on his brow, and hi
would sink into slumber, from which h
awoke strengthened and refreshed.
Bright and Joyous was the day ol
which he first left his room. HOY
anxiously Jessie watched his ever,
movement, lest he should overexert him
self. At last she prevailed upon hi m t
sit down on a shady seat in the garden
saying, laughingly:
Remember, DIR. A. has given 20
into my charge, and you must obey a
my commands"
He looked up into her face, an
archly replied:
"You will have to stay pretty close t
me, then, or you will find me missing
I've been quiet and helpless SO lon
that really enjoy this freedom"
A few days after this, Jessie cam
into the room where Edgar was sittin
in large armchair, and said, with
smile:
, you've been SO good, and obeye
my directions so well, that l am goin
to give you great treat. Papa has ha
the horse harnessed up, and he says b
thinks ride would do you good; so is
yea or nay?"
"It is most positively yea, my ia
? iailer," cried Edgar, springing up; "thi
) is, eff you will accompany me.
[ "Oh, certainly" replied Jessie;
didn't intend to trust you out alone"
5 In few moments all was ready, al
' they started off, after a strict injunctiC
= not to be gone too long.
They rode on in silence for some tim
i and at last Edgar said:
e "Have you not found it very tedio1
J. to stay in doors to take care of me?"
"Oh, no, indeed" replied Jessie;
:. have been repaid by seeing you We
: again"
n "My darling little Jessie !" exciaimt
d Edgar, suddenly clasping her in b
}. arms and kissing her sweet mou th, " W
n YOU consent to take care of me for lii
d darling? Say, sweet one, will you
q mine?"
Jessie nestled a little closer to hi
+" and replied:
d Eyes, Edgar; have loved you ey
d since that day when you so nobly risk
your life for another, MANNED and d
:. abled though you were. Only thin
It we were just talking about you, VIII
s we were so unexpectedly brought
gether." "
d They soon turned toward home, a
e Jessie hastened to her parents to ma
e known to them her new-found hap