The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1890-01-31
TOM
DRYSON'S CRIME.
ES STIllI MAJOR"
CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXL
DEATH AND pEIIyEHANCE
That night had found Randall Bel
mont comfortably domiciled at the
widow s cottage.
house had Eoen clio 5cd, and he had
gone 10 his room.
F"t he; hnew that he could not slaep:
eel tho omen window. The night is mild,
as we'll as still; it seems to invite
thought. And he thnks-.of her. He
Dean think of nothing else.
a Long had he sat there, when he fe.t
lmsclf urged by some powerful moEi'
otr within. Voices seemed crying in
= his oars: Ely to her! She is in dan
gea!"
He hesitatcs; he rcssts. He says to
himself, Did sho not, with her own
lirs, toll me not to come to her?" And
again and again those mysterious
rromptings seemed to fill his ears:
"r'ly to her! Oh, delay not She is in
danger"
Whatever the influence was, whether
the yCarningS of his own heart or an
angel messenger from above, it speed
lily be Rmc too powerful to he resisted.
ssof ly to Gridle his horse, and lcaping
upon his bare back, he sped down the
:. road like the wind. The mysterious
TEyOFgeB III II 8 GIFTS seeuuu CT y, -@L,.st-
acffs ,fastaft''~ He shook the reins, and
: shoutestssD his noble stced; there was
an answering neigh, and such tromen-
dous speed rs would have unseated a
less expert rider. AS he tore along the
highway, a bright glare above the
trees in the direct lof Brysons
house met his eye. clung to the
horse. and Increasing it's pace with his
cries, he turned into the lane, thun-
dercd th, ough tho wood, and dasho%
up to tho hamo-wrapped house. lie
leapcd 10 the ground just as Tom Ery-
son, s;ngod hy the fire and half blinded
by the smoke, came staggering out at
the front door.
"Jessica where is sho?' belmont
cried.
The father shook his head, and
pointed ill II howildered way up ut the
upper windows.
FranticalIy did Belmont dash at the
door; but n thick volume of smoke and
flame drove him back. With distracted
eye he marked the window of her room !;
tor once he had stood IN the hall above
outside her chamber, and moro than
oncc since jl8tt uS SchuHeC UHe uubIBUb-
ly building. to SEQ which window was
hers. The fire had not yet penetrated
boy ond the story above the cellar. 1t
was rushing out from the doors and
windows below, but could the rooms
above he reached at all, it could only
be through envclopiDg smoke and fire.
ain Gods name is there no ladder
hCre?" belmont cred to some of tho
reople who had come up.
n $Oh, yes here's one that we have
brought around from the back of
house. replied one Of them. "But
~ madness to go up there now"
"Rear it up-quick!" was the com
mand; and, impclIed by stout arms,
the upper end Of the heavy ladder lay
against tho sill of Jcssica's window
S@ss.'ly through glass and sash. The
), cLafoer was filed with smoke, and it
drove Rim back:: bit, filling his lungs
with fresh ar, he lcapcd in again.
Cropping blindIy about, his hands en-
countcrCd the water pitcher, with q
towel over it. He shook out tho towel,
plunged it i'll tho water, and bound it
over his faco. Ablc to breathe now
though the floor was trembling under
his feet, he found the bod. His hand
rested on the maidcn's face; but sho
neither spoke nor stirred. Taking the
wet towel from his own face, lie tied it
over hers: and clasping her motionless
form i'll his arms, no made his way
"'.~'' '"t"e window; he emerged upon
l.. '"L holding his dear bur-
den iu with one arm he came
unsteadlly La 'ic Ground, where eager
and willing hands ;7'';44exed him of his
aSWssIygsn away and Itahisn taia upon sss;shod stlled
:, suite crowd of people Ba} 4P1 siSS ~
this time gathered, and the attent;o1
OF som" of thcm was turned TO tho ra-
snscitat on Of tho sufferers. Eryso,
had inhaled smoke enough on his wow
Gu' or ihe burning building to howl
'er nm so that he knew not wbot Ln,1
happened; hrt when his head and focn
na'i been bathcd in water, and some of
u forced down hs throat, he sat nm
ana looked about him. The cracklina,
anes were right before him. With q
hta,tIihg scream he leapcd to his foot
Han .. start d to run toward the house
2"1h@ hands seized him and hold him
back. "'''' i'oi'' him
Eooi' where would YOU popn ono
60 INN. I,ho you want to throw :
rself into destruction ~ '"'o"
Let me go! It's burning mi !
T" save 1T" he yelled. Ills cvos
glared Ike the eyes of a mania Tu snd