The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-03-17

No" said Betty with a warm flush; {;
81 am not exactly engaged to him. but
-"
:" understand. Shall We go down
now?"
They came down in silence, and
found Clarence do Vaux smoking a
cigarette.
You ought MOTTO light that in here, j"
said George stcrnly. You'd better
throw it away"
'.SirW said Clarence, giving him IL
prolonged stare. 81 smoke where l
choose. :"
Then you had better choose such
places us can not be jcopardiscd by your
folly" said George curtly. Betty, |
wouldn't let him smoke in here"
II don't see any harm in Mr.. de
Vaux's lighting cigarette if he wish
cs, she said with Il resentful flash of
her dark eyes. "You must not allow
your personal feelings to provoke you to
rudcncss, Mr.. Knox
Il had no intention of being rude"
George said quickly. "But warn you
that if you are not careful tonight this
barn will be in ashes tomorrow.
You are Il prophet of evil" said
Betty carclcssly. IF you are ready, Mr..
dc Vaux, we will 60 in. Are you gong,
George? Well, goodbye. suppose we
shall see you tonight"
II hardly think So George answered.
And. lifting his hat, he left them to
walk back to the house together
The evening brought with it II fine
September moon, mellow and full. The
ladies and gentlemen were all in COS
tune, and Bcttv's dress was wonderfully
becoming.
You look like IL poem incarnatc,n
whispered Clarence dc VauN, as they
glidcd over the floor together. won't
you give me few moments in the cupo-
In when this is ovcro The moon is per-
feet, and the landscape is divine to-
night"
"Oh, dcar" cried Betty, rs Il breeze
swept through her curIs and driftcd
them backward "IIow cool it is uD
here! | wish I'd brought my shawl"
Shall get it for you?' De Vaux said
dcvotcdly.
"If you will BIZ so kind. 1t is a white
cashmere, hanging on e. peg by the
door"
He started down again with alacrity.
The band was playing II merry tune rs
he made his way to where Bcttv's wrap
was hanging.
1t was just slightly above his reach;
but he jumped for it, and succeeded in
bringing it wn-onlv something clso
came with il.
a Chinese lantern hanging near was
caught in the fringe OF the shawl, and
lifted 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 conilagration seemed to
be conjurcd up, roaring around the
huge rafters and breathing forth
choosing mass Of smoke.
There was one wild scream. The
music ceased with crash, and every
individual rushed towards the one door,
Clarence dc Vaux among them. They
had but one thought 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-
frontcd by the fire. which shut off her
passage completely.
With a wild cry for help, she ran up
stairs again, and clambcrcd out on the
roof. But there was no help for her
there. The barn was gablcd, and its
slanting roof made il impossible to take
a step without immediate danger.
They saw her below, and q shout of
agoniscd hclplcssncss went up to meet
her cries of terror.
Down on her knees Betty dropped.
"Oh, God, help mel she prayed;
And then she heard 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 Il 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 tho
cool night, where she was safe once
more.
Betty never knew how they made that
pcrilous escape. for when she camc to
herself, they told her George could not
see her.
He was horribly burned poor fellow!
and raving wildly.
Clarence dc Vaux had vanished
Public opinion, condcmning him for his
base descrtion of Betty in the hour of
mortal peril, had branded him n 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 wringing
out the soft linen cloths that had cooled
his burns and slowly tempered the rag
ing ever in his head.
8etty" he whispered. care you
safcP"
Yes, dear" she answered with
smile whose gladness George felt in
every part of his being. You saved
mo. Not hair Of my head was hurt"
"Thank Heaven!" he said softly ~
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 bandagcd hands in hers; "and
loved you too, George. though was not
quite sure OF it. But am now" sho
added tendcrly, land, George dear, if
you will take me now, | will marry you
whenever you like"
"oh, Betty he cried. My darling,
are you surep'
4. n