The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-03-11
He dropped her hand instantly, and u
strange whiteness came over his bronco

ly. Are you engaged to himp"
NO" said Betty with O warm flush;
81 am not exactly engaged to him. but
II understand. Shall we go down
nowP"
They came down in silence, and
found Clarence de Vaux smoking a
cigarette,
You ought not TO light that in here,n
said George sternly. you'd better
throw it away"
'Sirr said Clarence, giving him a
prolonged stare. II smoke where
choose"
Then you had bcttor choose such
places rs can not be joopardiscd by your
folly" said George curtly. Betty,
wouldn't let him smoke in here"
II don't see any harm in Mr. dc
Vaux's lighting cigarette if he wish
es," she said with u resentful flash of
her dark eyes, "You must not allow
your personal feelings to provoke you to
rudeness, 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 a prophet of evil" said
Betty carclcssly. If you are ready, Mr..
de Vaux, we will go 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 fine
September moon, mellow and full. The
ladies and gentlemen were all in cos
tune, and Bcttys dress was wonderfully
becoming.
you look like poem incarnatc,"
whispered Clarence dc Vaux, as they
glided over the floor together. "Won't
you give me few moments in the cupo-
IL when this is over? The moon is per-
feet, and the landscape is divine to-
night"
"Oh, dear!" cried Betty, as q breeze
swept through her curls and driftcd
here! l wish I'd brought my shawl"
Shall get it for you?' Dc Vaux said
dcvotedly.
"If you will be 80 kind. 1t is white
cashmere, hanging on peg by the
door"
He started down again with alacrity.
The band was playing a merry tune as
he made his way to where Betty's 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.
a Chinese lantern hanging near was
caught in the fringe of the shawl, and
fitted off tho wire, falling Oven the
beam right into the midst of the hay
NOW.
In al instant tho place was in flames.
Like magic contlagration seemed to
be conjured up, roaring around the
hu"e rafters and breathing forth
choHing mass of smoke.
There was one wild scream. The
music ceased with q 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 hor to the staircase.
a few steps down, and she was con-
fronted by the fire, which shut off her
passage completely.
With wild cry for help, she ran up
stairs again. and clambcred out on the
roof. But there was no help for her
there. The barn was gablcd, and its
slanting roof made it impossible to take
q step without immediate danger
They saw her below, and q shout of
agonised helplcssness went up to mcot
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 a heavy horsc-blanket, whose
wet folds protected her from tho flames
while he bore her through their midst
down the fiery stairway and out in tho
cool night, where she was safe onco
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 Vaux had vanished.
Public opinion, condcmning him for his
base descrtion 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 wringing
out the soft linen cloths that had cooled
his burns and slowly tempered the rag
ing fever in his head.
Betty" he whispered. "Are you
safeP"
"Ycs, DEAR" she answered with n
smile whose gladness George felt in
every part of his being. You saved
me. Not hair of my head was hurt"
Thank Hcavenr he said softly. II
tried to spare you, Betty. loved you
SOL"
Il know you did," she said kneeling
down at his side and taking one of his
poor bandagcd hands in hers; land 1
loved you too, George, though | was not
quite sure of it. But | am now" she
added tenderly, land, George dear, if
you will take me now, will marry you
whenever you like
"Oh, Bctty!" he cried. My darling,
are you sure9"