The Osceola times., 1884-04-05

Il.
nv lace that was gathered loosely about |
her round, white arm. The flames zap
ned themselves about her wrist, ana IN
an instant she was ablaze.
"Mon Dieu! mon Dieu!' shrieked MA
dame. ha,
Of of water. but ii was Fred Stambach
who had the coolness Of nerve to snatch
Jolette in his arms and wrap her up IN
the folds of the curtain she had exiting
Don't be frightened, Jolette," he whis-
nered. even while the biting flames leap
ed into his own face with a maddening
pain. 8,
The Professor came in with his bucket
of water, but the fire was all out, ana
Stambach was kneeling on the floor with
Joiet Lorraine in his arms while Mad
anne went off into Mysteries on the sofa.
"Gracious!" cried the Professor kick
ing the fragments of his pipe into one
corner. What could have caused 1t!
My angel, do you keep matches in your
secretary
"Matches? Certainly not" cried Ma
dame, nervously. Like as not you have
been smoking in here, Ludwig"
81, my dear? Why, you told me not
to! And if had, how, pray, could my
pipe set fire to the papers in your deskY
Hey, Fritz / hope you didn't get burnt
my boy!"
"a little S,ambach answered, rising
painfully, with one hand to his eyes.
"See to Mile. Lorraine, please! She has
tainted, and L"
He reeled as he spoke. The pain was
to great for him.
"Jolette!" he murmured, and sank in
sensible at the Professors feet.
Mile. Lorraine was burned, but her
wounds were soon healed, while Fred
Stambach lay for weeks in darkened
room, and came out at last with his eyes
screened by green shade.
Are you there, Mademoiselle?" he
said, putting out his hand when Jolette
came at last into his presence, trembling
but emphatic, IL cannot see you now"
Yes, / am here, she answered. sitting
down in a low chair beside him; 81 want
to tell you, Mr.. Stambach but OH new
er can tell you how much ! thank you
for my life, how much | esteem your cou'
rage; how sorry am"
Her voice broke, and he reached out
again the little trembling hand that had
slipped from his clasp.
"Please don't say anything about that"
he urged. 81 shall be content if you
will only do me justice IN your mind"
"You may be sure | will do that" she
answered softly.
MAY I?' he said with half quizzical
smile. "Did you know?-I do rot wish
Madame to hear of it, but-we were
smoking that day in the office. 1t was
my pipe that caused the conhagration.
You came in and caught us. We could
not make our escape without betraying
ourselves, and you did not really believe
that stayed there just to listen, did
you?"
The color came and went in her face
very quickly.
81 did you an injustice she said.
"Foreive mel"
you needn't ask that. ] only wish
that there should be no misunderstood.
ing between us when we part
"You are going away them"
"Oh, yes. | can do nothing here now.
The doctor says | have only one chance.
and with it all | may be hopelessly
blind"
The little hand trembled convulsively
in his clasp. Oh, If he only had seen
the two great tears that rolled down her
cheeks and dropped into her lap unob-
served!
II am very sorryw she murmured.
"You don't know how sorry!"
A gentle pressure other hand was his
only reply.
Then | wanted to tell you" he went
on, that you have made one mistake
about me. Whatever gave you the idea
that | was German? Was it my name
and the fact that | was the professors
friend?"
"But are you not?" she hltered
"Why, no, thought you knew ! was
an American. All, Jolette! If / were
only rich; if were only rid of this fatal
| blindness, tell me, would there be SC
many obstacles between us? Could you
not give me little love in return for SC
much devotion?'
She answered him with a quick, pass.
ionate gesture.
you shall not 90 awayl' she cried
| fiinging her arms about his neck. 81
love you, will stay with you always"
"Iou, Jolette!" was his trembling re.
sponse. Would you be my wife now2'
"Now more than ever" she answered
bravely, and "the light that was never
seen on land or sea" shone in her ever
when she said l..
At noon, when the Professor came in
bis face was all smiles.
IL have news for you, Fritz" he said
gayly. "Your friend, Miss Cushman
was married last Wednesday, and--here
is letter from your father"
Stambach opened it with trembling
hands. The one thing he most desired
now had come TO pass Touched bv his
sons misfortune, and perhaps Modified
| by the marriage of Miss Cushman, which
rendered his matrimonial schemes for
his son useless, Fred's flther had given
him back his heart and house. Fred
was a rich man; he had lovely home to
share with his bride.
Nor was this all. Money NAV not bring
happiness but it is often the means "a
a much desired end. II brought TO Fred
the proper medicine treatment and most
skillful care, through which his SIGH,
was finally restored.
But to this day Madame does not know
though she strongly suspects, what caus-
ed that conflagration.
Fred Stambach is full of mischief He
never meets the Professor and his wile
out at dinner that he does not ask the
Professor to tell about that singular case
of spontaneous combustion that came
within his experience. The Professo,
tells the story with demure dignity and
downcast eyes.
UBET.