The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1886-03-17

is it this De Vaux?" he asked huski.
". Are YOU engaged to him?'
No" said Betty with q warm flush
Il am not exactly engaged to him. but
Il understand. Shall we go down
now?''
Thcv came down in silence, and
found Clarence de VauS smoking q
'.You ought not to light that in here,
said George s'ernly. You'd better
throw it away
SIR said Clarence, giving him 9
prolonged stare. Il smoke where
choose. "
Then you had better choose such
places as can not be jeopardised by your
follv." said George curtly. Betty,
wouldn't let him smoke in here.
Il don't see any harm in Mr. de
vaux's lighting cigarette if he wish
es." she said with resentful flash OF
her dark ewes. 'You must not allow
your personal feelings to provoke you to
rudeness, Mir. Knox.
II had no intention of being rude, y
George said quickly. But warn you
that if you are not careful tonight this
barn will be in ashes tomorrow.
s'You are prophet of evil, said
Betty carelessly. If you are ready, Mr..
de Taux, we will go in. Are you gong,
George9 Well. goodbye. suppose we
shall see you tonight"
..Ihardly think so,' George answered.
And. lifting his hat, he left them to
walk back to the house together.
The evening brought with IT fne
September moon, mellow and full. The
ladies and gentlemen were all IN COS
tune, and Betty's dress was wonderfully
becoming. =,
'.You look like d poem incarnate," !"
whispered Clarence de Taux. as they
glided over the floor together. Wont
YOU give ne few moments in the cupo-
Ia when this is ovcr9 The moon is per-
feet, and the landscape is divine to-
night"
"Oh, DEAR cried Betty. as breeze
swept through her curls end drifted
them backward. How cool it is up
here! l wish I'd brought my shawl.
''Shall get it for you?" De Faux said
devotedly.
IF YOU will be so kind. It is white
cashmere, hanging on 8 peg by the
door"
He started down again with alacrlty.
The band was playing a merry tune as
he made his way to where Bettys wrap
was hanging.
1t was Just slightly above his reach;
but he Jumped for it, and succeeded in
bringing it down-only something else
came with it.
4 Chinese lantern hanging near was
caught in the fringe Of the shawl, and
fitted off the wire, falling over the
beam right into the midst Of the hay
NOW.
In an instant the place was in flames.
Like magic a conhagration seemed to
be coniured up. roaring around the
hu~e rafters and breathing forth a
choaing mass of smoke.
There was one wild scream. The
music ceased with crash, and every
individual rushed towards the one door,
Clarence de Vaux among them. They
had but one thought-to escape from
the burning structure. :,
Betty, alone up in the cupola, was all
unconscious of her danger until the
smell of smoke sent her to the staircase.
A few steps down, and she was con-
fronted by the fire, which shut of her
passage completely.
With wild cry for help, she ran up
stairs again, and clambered out on the
roof. But there was no help for her
there. The barn was gabled, and its
slanting roof made it impossible to take
a step without immediate danger.
They saw her below, and shout of
agonised helplessness went up to meet
her cries of terror.
Down on her knees Betty dropped.
.sOh, God, help men' she prayed;
And then she beard q voice that had
always carried comfort and security to
her heart.
This way, Betty" George Knox
cried.
And then his strong arms threw
about her heavy horse-blanket, whose
wet folds protected her from the flames
while he bore her through their midst
down the fiery stairway and out in the
cool night, where she was safe once
more.
Betty never knew how they made that
perilous escape, for when she came to
herself, they told her George could not
see her.
He was horribly burned-poor fellow!
and raving wildly.
Clarence de VaM had vanished.
Public opinion, condemning him for his
base desertion of Betty in the hour of
mortal peril, had branded him cow
ard, and he had left town in hurry.
1t was some weeks before George
Knox again opened his eyes consciously
on the world, and saw Betty wringin g
out the soft linen cloths that had cooled
his burns and slowly tempered the rag
ing fever in his head.
..Bettyr' he whispered. care YOU
safe?''
Yes, dear" she answered with a
smile whose gladness George felt in
every part of his being. You saved
me. Not hair of my head was hurt. "
Thank Heaven!" he said softly. Il
tried to spare you, Betty. loved You
So"
81 know YOU did," she said kneeling
down at his side and taking one Of his
poor bandaged hands in hers; land
loved you too, George, though was not
quite sure OF it. But | am now" she
added tenderly, land, George dear, II
vou will take me now, will marry you
whenever you like.
"Oh, Betty he cried. My darling,