The Press., 1890-08-14
dles occasionally glistening in the al-

dies occasionally glistening in the al- most languid flashes of heat lightning.
 John Pidgin, who between his garden ing and his ss s'ostling' managed to inn bibe little geometry and physiology at the North End high school-John the rude of speech and uncouth of manner, was going some time to study theology, perhaps eventually to preach to his peo- pie, the poor whites in the south. ''If the spirit is willin' and the flesh not too powerful weak" ;" he sometimes said. As he sat watching the somber sky tonight his conversation with Prudence took theological turn, and greatly amused Katherine as fragments of it drifted to her ears.
 ''No," he was saying, s'the Lord don't confde in me very much as to his calcu- lations for my future. He is the non-com- mittalest upon that subject of any one I've tackled for advice. Traps ought on at the place and learned cobblin'. Or" he added, with a sigh, Eff 'ostle l must, Twill 'ostle to the epoint of martyr dom."
 Prudence having no objections to offer he was silent for awhile, but soon re- mark from her brought out the startling declaration that Brother Milford is powerful expounder, but when 1t comes to devotion, to downright conservation, Brother Tombs can knock the daylight outen him."
 Katherine laughed aloud in spite of herself. "Are you there, mammal? asked Star. ''See the big red light over at North End. Is it fire? What is it, mammar'
 At this John Pidgin sprang up with startled look. There began to be steps in the street and horses feet and wagons, men hurrying by, with now and then a nasty word to each other-Southwick people in haste for once.
 "The warehouses, the Touring mills"
 ''The Methodist church.
 ''St. Luke's hospital, they heard at intervals. An! how Katherine's heart stopped beating. St. Luke's hospitall If Dr. Van Duyn should be there! He was always there. If he should be hurt! Alack, she who had so cruelty hurt him now cried to heaven for his safety. What choking feeling in her throat at thought of his danger. In flash she saw what life would be without him; to have him never again for physician, for friend-oh, for something more than friend; for at that moment, and as never before, strong, overmastering love for John Van Duyn, the noble, self sacrific- ing man-so strong, so gentle, so patient, swept over her, flooding her heart like mighty torrent against which she was powerless. She knew then that she had never before known love. In all the world he was the one to whom her whole being turned. Her heart lay in his hand as jewel to be cherished, or a worthless pebble to be spurned and flung away. Hot tears sprang to her eyes-tears of joy, tears of contrition, of alarm, of many mingled emotions. She hardly knew when or how she got into the light wagon with John Pidgin, to speed along over the dark road, lit only by the fitful red light of the increasing flames.
 On reaching North End they stopped at the school house steps, where with many others they could look down on the red docks and the flaming ware houses now given up for lost. The | church and the hospital might perchance | be saved. Two women under one light | shawl stood near Katherine watching the progress of the fire and recounting the scenes in the street below. 'tThere goes 8 load of flour barrels and some pews from the Methodist | church."
 ''There's the organ and the ten com ,nandments," said the second speaker, "and 8 covered carriage--hospital pa- tiants I shou1dn't wondar" 1"
 "Oh, see!' said the taller woman, with rasping voice; 'there's Dr. Van Duyn in his two wheeler. Guess he's carrying off that pretty little nurse-Miss Whats er-Name9'
 "Miss Stauffer-Angela Stauffer. For eigner, reckon. They do say she is go- ing to marry Dr. Van Duyn. Hope she is worth him."
 "Looks like they're savin' the church, don't it?'
 How odious those women were in their coarse comments! How chill the night l NnxHAr. R,u