Connecticut western news., 1884-06-25

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 a moment the throng swept by. Jessie and Walter quickened their foot steps, and, turning corner, came in sight of an immense fire, which had originated in 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 !' exclaimed Jessie. "Oh, that I could help them. There must be some child in the burning building"
 "Come away, Jessie," said Walter. "There isssuch crowd that could not be able to give any help. Don't let us stay here"
 "Oh, yes, Walter-stay, stay," cried Jessie, springing up the steps of large house. ''I 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 l''
 As she spoke young man had forced his way 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 sprang up the ladder, but the crowd suddenly surging forward shook it, and he fell to the ground, crushing his foot under him.
 "DoA'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 mp, 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 lo it ?" exclaimed the young man, despairingly; and lifting his voice. he cried: "Will no one save the child? ?"
 The answer came from all, "Too late," and many slunk away.
 "Then you must have an example" !" 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 binding crash, and all was a blank. * Y
 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, thought you were dead, !" and her tears flowed afresh.
 "A little better," replied the invalid, with smile, then gazing earnestly at her sweet face, he continued "Have we not met before? I 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 l" she murmured. "I knew it. l felt it. Oh, Heavenly Father, spare his noble life P
 "Do you feel we'll enough to talk Q little?" she said, approaching him again. "If 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. I did not feel the pain or see the danger. But what happened as grasped the child p
 "The ladder gave way, and came crashing to the ground" replied Jessie, shuddering; "the child fell from your arms, and was caught by one of the crowd, but you struck the ground, 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 cer- tain you were dead"
 'tI have been mercifully preserved, said Edgar, and the doctor coming in al that moment, prohibited further con versation 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 thi that helped him to recover so soon, fo | he loved his sweet little nurse with al l the order of his strong nature. Flo hours she would sit by his side, witl l her soft, cool hand on his brow, and h would sink into slumber, from which h s awoke strengthened and refreshed. Bright and joyous was the day ol which he first left his room. Ho' Il anxiously Jessie watched his ever :; movement, lest he should overexert him self. At last she prevailed upon him t !, sit down on shady seat in the garden
 saying, laughingly:
 @ Remember, Dr. A has given yo l. into my charge, and you must obey a