The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-04-10
Yes, if only for my sake Vavaseur and are almost like brothers.

Der of society people had come up from { the city to attend it. The stately old ! Raymond mansion was one blaze of Ii Sht ] Beautiful women and taultleSSlv dressed men thronged the perfumed rooms l From bank of palms and ferns came 1 the soft strains of an orchestra.
 But Paul NavaScur choose to be a looker~on in Vienna and did net dance l In his out-oftht~way corner Marion Rav- mond at last sought him out
 You don't waltz, Mr, Nava>eur9 she said
 There was rare flush on her cheek. and her eyes shone like stars She was easily the most beautiful woman there
 No. he said, am wall-hower Though waltting k a pleasure it costs me erea, deal to give up, my doctor has forbidden it
 She chatted with him few minutes. and then Max naere came and bore, her away in triumph for a waltz Navaseur watched them with d dull pain at his heart that he was unable to resist
 must throw oil this enviou> feel i ing hr said am tals, to my friend And vet he i~ SO happy >o miser- ! hle,
 When the guests had all departed. the two friends sat smoking in pacrc s room
 happy evening was Dacr,> com meut of the ball And vet for you. Paul, |, must have been in~utterahly dull. When did you quit dancing You used la waltz know
 My doctor advised me a few days ago to avoid all excitement, Navaseur replied The truth k, mN health has not been very good of late. and l shall have to be careful He arose as he spoke and threw away his cigar Then, bidding paere good. night, he went to his room
 How long Nava$uer slept he did not know He was aroused bv that most horrible of cries-hrc! Springiug from his bed, he dressed hastily and opened his door The dense volume of smoke pouring up from the hall drove him back
 It is worse than thought, he nut tered grimly Raising his window. he stepped out upon the roof of the porch and slid down one of the pillars to the ground The shivcriug scantlly clad people who 1 had been so rda1iy aroused from their slumher were gathered before the buld- ing
 All safe, uttered Mr, Raymond. gioomily, watching the scene of destruc= 1 ton; but the house is doomed Higher and higher the wild flames leaped, lighting up everything around with their yellow glare
 Suddenly the mothers cry rang out Marion-Wher,. k Shp9'
 As if to answer her. at that moment she appeared at the window ot her room and reached forth her hands to them appealingly.
 My God!' groaned Dacre, T was selfish enough to forget hcrl But even now it k not too late l will save her yet
 He was about to dash forward when a restraining hand was laid upon his arm. Then Navaseur, pale but resolute confronted him Stay Navaseur said, in quick breathless tones. Look how the flames are surging about her? Consider how small your chance would be to save her Whatever it may be. let me take that chance
 Dacre made an effort to break away lIPii HIS grasp,
 And why not as we'll as you?' he cried, ticrccly
 Listen said Navaseur You have health and a long life before you; and -l have heart disease The doctor tells me may live year-l may die to-mor- row. What matters it when2' The weaker man hcsitatcd
 Then, for Gods sake be quick he cried
 Navaseur dashed through the burning doorway. It seemed to all that he was rushing to his doom They kept their eyes fastened on the girl with fcverish expectancy And then, when so long time had passed that they thought he surely must have perished in the flames, they saw him at the window with her, his clothing blazing in several places
 Save me-! she impiored and fell fainting in his arms
 "Couragel he cried
 He wrapped several blankets tightly around her inanimate form and lifted il in his arms. Then, in an agony of pain, he fought his way through fire and smoke to the second story. There the fierce flames. rolling up from below, formed an impenetrable barrier
 One thought was uppermost in his mind. If God had SO willed it, it would be sweet to die with her in his arms
 One avenue of escape, perhaps lay open-the porch again He staggered back to the room in which he had slept But the porch was all ablazc He saw the people below as in dream, and heard Dacre's frenzied voice crying
 Jump"
 Out upon the burning porch Navaseur stepped with his fair burden When he made the leap mute prayer shaped it self on his lips that he might fall under heath
 And God heard that prayer
 When they went to them they found that the unconscious girl had sustained no serious injury
 But Navaseur?