The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-03-20

| held IN my arms as DaDe- nave serFeu
the Darrell's over long to take service with
stranger though it's kind mistress Miss
Helen is.
"Then she has not won your heart from
me as she did my aunt's?"
'Never believe that Master Hugh,
said the old women, warmly. "My mis-
tress cared for none but you to the end.
As for the will, that were made before
ever she set eyes on Miss Helen. She
was bound to disinherit you, and Miss
Helen were the daughter of her Oldest
friend. Afterwards she sent for Miss
Helen to come and live at Dangerfeld, and
told her what she had DONE She were
going to add postscript like, to say that
if ever Miss Helen gave you penny she
would forfeit the whole of it. But my
young lady would have none O that.
Leave your money to whom you please,
said she; 4 don't ask you for it. But
don't burden it with any such conditions.
If it is to be mine, want it mine to do
what chose with My old mistress she
laughed, and said by the time the money
came to Miss Helen she'd be in no hurry
to get rid of it. The Darrells was most
long lived We all Thought old mistress
was good for twenty years more"
The next day Hugh watched in vain
for the horse and its winsome rider, and
the next, and the next. Then he heard
that Helen Ashley was i'll. His old nurse
told him this one evening, and went on to
consider the chances of her masters inher
itance in case of Miss Ashleys death, al
though she admitted that as yet there was
no danger.
Hugh, though by no means fanciful, sat
till late that night thinking with horror of
the possibility.
His old home would be hateful to him,
he knew, should he regain it after any such
fashion.
He went to the window and drew aside
the curtain, as he often did, to look at
Dangerfeld Hall, standing big and black
mile away.
What was that ominous glow? As if in
answer to his thought, voices in the street
cried, "Fire" and there was sound of
running feet.
In an instant Darrell was out of doors,
darting through the chill night-air with
speed that left all others far behind,
Was this deadly fear at his heart for the
old home or for the young mistress?
When he reached the entrance, the west
wing was in flames, but the fire had not
reached the rest of the house.
Yes, the young lady was safe, one of the
by-standers told him. She was one of the
first rescued. That was her room, pointing
to room yet untouched, although III around
it the fire ragged hottest.
Darrell recognized the room-it had
been his in the old boyish days. There
was nothing for him to do. The servants
were all out of the house. The little band
of village iremen, aided by many volun-
teers, were laboring successfully to keep
the fire from spreading Probably they
would save the main body of the house.
Most of the furniture, pictures, and valua-
bles had been removed from the west wing,
and lay In confusion on the lawn.
Darrell stood moodily watching the pro-
gress of the flames. In short time they
would devour his room,
A great desire suddenly came over him
TO see it once more ere it should be destroy
ed. Why not? He could do it at slight
risk. Many time had he climbed up
that wall and through that window for q
boyish freak.
Though daring, he was not foolhardy.
He threw coil of rope over his arm and
began the ascent. How hot it wasl He
had not known the fire was so close upon
him. But now that he had nearly reached
the window, he would at least look in.
What was this? Helen Ashley lay on
the floor insensible. Every one thought
her safe. How had the terrible mistake
arisen?
A deep groan broke from DarrelTs lips
The sound seemed to partially awake her
from her swoon. He swung himself into
the room and lifted her in his arms. The
great gray eyes opened slowly-the color
crept back to the white cheek.
II thought you would come" she muir
INJURED, family,
Her voice did not seem strange to him
then.
II am only just in time. If there is
anything you want to save, throw 1t from
the window while make fast this rope" J"
He placed her gently upon the couch
His very presence seemed to restore her
strength and courage. A brass-bound
writing-desk stood upon the table. Helen
lifted it with considerable effort, and threw
it from the window:
"Your aunt's desk. She charged me to
take care of it" she said.
The fire was gaining upon them fast;
but Darrell worked on steadily, cheered by
the crowd below, who doubted not that his
reckless ascent had been occasioned by
some cry OF glimpse of the young lady.
He had fastened the rope to the window
sill. He made Helen sit outside of the
window on the broad sill; then he swung
himself out on the rope.
"Now bend enough to take firm hold of
the rope with one hand, put the other arm
tight around my neck; now let yourself
drop. Don't be afraid will catch you. "
He braeed himself to receive her weight.
Helen hesitated, but one glance back
showed her the room in flames behind
them.
II implore you to lose no timel"
She let herself fall into the strong arms
upheld to receive her.
Hugh's was not an easy task. 1t took
all his great strength aid sailor agility to
accomplish it. One arm held the girl, the
other, with the aid of his feet, supported
their joint weight, and slowly lowered them
through fame and smoke toward the ground.
Halfway down voice from the excited
crowd shouted out that their rope had
caught fire. Darrell set his teeth.
@Cling fast to me with both hands,"
Helen obeyed, and felt him withdraw
the arm that was her chief support. He
grasped the rope with both hands and lot
it slide rapidly through them, tearing the
flesh cruelty. They neared the ground
Eager, outstretched arms relieved him Of
his precious burden and Hugh dropped
like log,
+ The next day Darrell found himself
haunting the house to which Helen haC
been carried. His feet seemed to bear hin
thither against his will; and after all, why