Daily Republican., 1885-08-28
Then Nina went on, In her cooinp

ouo
ct is about Gerald; can't you guess
dear ?" and l. ou shook her head vague
" ~ Nina said, He he's Leon max
ing love TO me, and he says that his en-
gag ,ment with you vas q mistake /;
that till he raw mo, he never knew
what love really was. Are you angry.
Lourie you know I can't help hit
chs ngng"
Her head still rested upon Lon Win
throp's knee, but the hand tha. lay
among the glossy curls seemed, All a,
once. to have grown icy cold.
Angry or course not Why
should be? He has right to choos.
whom he will," Lou answered, in q
tone that sounded strange to her own
ears. Then Nina Suthsri and ran up to
her cham ber, and the pale girl sittint
there in the twilight stiffness quiverec
like an aspen leaf In the wind.
There Gerald Alden found hsr, fs1
minutes later, and when he threw hi.
arm about her, with lovers privilege,
and bent his head to press kiss poI
the sweet lips, he was astonishad t6
have his arm thrown Off, as Lou Win
throp sprung TO her feet.
Traitor that you are take you.
ring ; for all Is over between us for
ever" she exclaimed passionately, q.
she tossed the ring upon tho table, AMI
swept from the room with An air that
left no doubt OF her meaning.
But to Gerald Alden all was en-.
ehrouded In mystery, for tue story that
Nina Sutherland had just br.athed IN
Lou Winthrop WAS fabrication, all,
and no was A. true 70 his botrotheu as
the needle to the pole.
The thought came TO him, AZ he turn
cd away, that Lou had Oeon suadesIy
stricken down by some mental malady,
ana he went home In most uncomf0r.
table state of mind. He retired, but
sleep had taken wings, and In incense,
nervous excitement, he tossed restle ssl y
upon his pillow.
Midnight had passed, still thought
kept him awake with the morning
he would again 60 to Beechmont, and
endeavor to have the mystery ole ART d
Suddenly lurid light flashed uE in
the western sky, and he sprung to the
window.
Beechmont WAS In fiamea-that grand
old place-and whera were the INN Ates =!
Asleep without doubl, and in moment
Gerald Alden was dashing over the hall
mile OF country road between his hom-
and BeechmoEt with ths speed of the
wind.
But long before he reached the place
the hungry flames had burst through
the roof.
Nota sign of life oh, was he toe
late and fraptically he rang the bell
Shrill and clear 1t reverberated throug i
the long corridors, aud Mr.. W.utbrop
looked out.
o )en the door the house 10 IL
flames !" screamed Gerald, and then, al
the inmates became conscious OF dan
ger. all was confusion.
There was no time to save any thing
Where were the girls" Still inside
the burning building, and Gerald Alden
dashed throui b the binding, suffoca
ting smoke. up the broad, oaken stair
way to LOUIS own room,
1t was securely barred inside there
was DO sound, and with the strength OF
excitement he forced the door.
Lou was sleeping, and the lnrid light
fell upon q pallid, tear. stained face.
No time could be lost, and, wrapping
about the slight form some Of The bed
clothing, he clasped her to,his heart and
rushed down the stairs.
Not q moment ton soon, for at that
instant the roof fell with an awful
crash, and the forked Games darsed
high in air.
Then wild scream came above the
Eoise Of FIRE. and Nina Sutherland ap.
peared At her window. her long black
tresses floating about her shoulders, her
face livid with terror.
The halls were in flames now; no one
cou d reach bor save from The wiudow
Certain death was behind her; If she
sprung from that second story window
IL seemed equally certain. Tho only
ladder at hand WAS far too short but
placing Lon, who was sstillunconscious
upon the grrss, Gerald essaye,i to save
the frightened girl, by climbing the
short ladder and telling her to throw
herself into his arms.
She waited there, half dazed with
terror, till the flames burst open the
door. and then, with o wild scream,
she sprung from the " ndow; but she
missed the strong arms that were held
out for her and fell to the ground,
She was unconscious and Gerald bore
her to . place OF safety
A few moments more and the grand
old pile fell In smouldering ruins, and
the owner OF Beschmont with his fami-
ly were homeless.
Mr.. Wintbr sp could be brave for
himself, but for his family shelter mus,
be found, and Gerald Alden offered the
shelter OF his roof.
The proffered hospitality was gladly,
sccepteti. and the following morning a,
group OF quantity clad In garments
from Ger AIDS mother, gath.
cred about the break fast ia bie Of the
Aidens.
Lou was pale, but self. possessed.
Nina was'fitful and nervous tron her
fall, though not seriously injured. She
was irritable from the loss of her
elegant wardrobe, while q feeling of
sh Anne at her duplicity the
the previous night made her hang heI
head in confusion.
A whispered request from Gerald as
he passed Lou In the hall. for an inter
view, in the library, made her blue
eyes fiash, but she folio " cd him in Ell
lence.
MAY I ask yonr reason for cancelinc
our engagement" he questioned, as hs
proffered q char, which she did not &C.
cept.
"Your own fickleness ycu cannot
keep troth with me when your heart is
given to another" Lou replied in tone
Of intense emotion.
"My heart has never strayed from its
"Gerald responded earnestly,
and then Lou Winthrop repeated Nina's
words.
"It is q vile fabrication - Garald
Indignantly. land if you be-
lieve me, we will renew our vows
And without opposition he replaced
on LOUIS finger the diamond engage
ment ring that she had torn OFT 10
hastily few hours before.
And the second engagement was very
short. Beechmont was in ashes. And