Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-02-07

"Then what will you do when she
leaves youl" l asked, watching HIM
narrowly.
sLeaye me?" he exclaimed, wheeling
about in his chair. Sure, she VIII
never do that.
Said l: "Perhaps. You forget that
she is a woman-a girl, and a very pref
ty one, indeed. Such prize-for she
is a prize-cannot remain long unwon.
Some day she will come to you and tell
her story, or send another to say the
words for her, and will slip from your
arms into the embrace OF others more
loving. You will realize it when 1t Is
too late. Goodnight.
He did not speak, nor acknowledge
the courtesy. As passed out turned
to look at him, and saw that his head
had fallen upon his folded arms. l
missed him for several nights-the first
in many long day. When l saw him
again could scarcely repress an ex-
clamation of surprise. His face was
haggard and wan, and there was dull,
vacant look in his fine ewes. He drop
ped YEARLY into his usual seat without
o word. / did not need to ask what had
happened, but merely uttered the mono
syllable:
"Well?"
shall never forget the look he gave
me as he said, "You were right, Lyn-
You were right ought to have known
it; but, sure, / didn't know my own
heart until your words touched secret
spring there, opened its doors and show
ed me the colleen's sweet face within.
But the rose will be taken soon, and for
me there will be nothing-nothing but
leaves"
"Tndeedl Who is hel 2"
"My God / wish / conld take it as
coolly as you do" said Mac, pathetical-
ly, yet half inclined to quarrel with me
because of my apparent indifference.
at is young Brown-you know him-a
likely young fellow, and one to whom |
could not refuse to give her if she willed
it SO. He came to me the day after our
chat, and told his story. listened with
breaking heart, but gave no sign, not
even when he said that he felt assured
of the possession of her heart, while he
loved her to distraction. What could /
say? What could 1 do but treat him
kindly for Maggie's sake, give my con-
sent and God speed, and accept the bit
ter cup like MANI All, when she is
gone my life will DO empty-more bar
rem than it has ever been before.
There were tears in Macs honest eyes;
and l, matter-of-fact and prosy as / was,
could not speak because of the lump in
my throat, and felt my own eyes grow
dim.
It was week later, and we sat in the
chiefs Office at police headquarters,
chatting, as Of old, with our friend the
sergeant (now lieutenant), to see
whom we dropped in now and then.
And while we were talking about old
times and the changes in our fortunes,
the fire-alarm sounded in the operators
room. Macs face frightened percepti-
bly,, and he sprang to his feet.
"a blaze - he cried, bending to listen
to the strokes and the voice OF the ope-
rator. "Ahl big one, too J Let's go,
for the fun of it. I'm dying for the
want Of excitement. Here's the patrol
wagon at the door and q chance for
wild night ride. Come on, old man,
and enjoy recollection of old times.
Thus appealed TO, could not resist,
and we boarded the wagon, which rat
tied at terrific speed towards the glow
reddening the sky to the westward. The
spot reached, we found n tenement in
flames, and the vicinity mass of ex-
cited and awe-strieken spectators. Sys-
tematic showing and unceremonious ell
bowling brought us to the ropes, under
which the officer in charge at that point
permitted us TO crawl. Catching sight
of one of his reporters, Mac ran over to
give him some instructions, while l re-
NAMED to chat with the officer until he
returned.
A murmur suddenly rose from the
crowd, and concentrated its force until
it became strange, fearful cry, ending
with the words, uttered by hundred
pairs of lips:
"There's o woman up there !"
All eyes we're fixed upon the upper
window, upon a girls face, dimly seen
through a veil of smoke. A poor woman
uttering n shrek of agony, rushed up to
the Chief of the Fire Department aud
besought him to save her daughter. He
turned to ope of the men and motioned
towards the ladder just being placed in
position as near the window rs possible.
The MISUNDERSTANDING perhaps, of wife
and e-hesitated, with one foot on
the lower rung, and looked first at the
flame bordered window and then at his
chief, as if afraid. Then n strong hand
seized his shoulder and hurled him
aside.
"a woman, is it9 Sure, give me one
OF those machines to keep the smoke out
of my nose and mouth, and I'll go up
and get her"
The chief shook his head, and / added
more emphatic protest, but Mac only
laughed at MS in curious unmirthful
fashion, and took the smoker from one
of the men. There was q queer light in
his eyes, and his ,oice trembled little,
but his hand was as steady as steel itself
when he adjusted the rubber sponge
case.
"Tll go anyway" he said, beginning
the assent, whether it is no or yes with
YOU" Then he added in an under-tone
to me: "If anything happens, you can
tell Maggie whatever You think best.
TT L.. nd