The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1892-07-15

bewildcrcd by the opiatc, he was slow
in realizing his danger: but he made Il
strong effort. and CROPPED his way TO
the door, gasping for breath.
lie had locked the door, and the lock
was very old one. Wildly he turned
the key round and round. but the door
remained fast closed. and the room was
growing hotter every moment. lie
would try 70 escape by the window.
Only, 1t was impossible to breathe much
longer in this dreadful atmosphere, and
when he tried to call for help his voice
failed, and died away in a whisper.
II was cruel fate TO perish in this
way. fricnd!ess and alone. There was
was coming fast, and now that it was
really near he knew that he wanted 20
go on living, \ little while ago. life
had not seemed a very dcSira bic thing,
but now it was precious and sweet, full
of new possibilities and hopes. Per-
haps IL il had rot been for this awful
fate, he might have begun TO live new
life, frightened with charities and bet
ter purposes. He might have redeemed
VIZ NAAAN' IL NAAlAN AiaANi tNNAl tillNfO
him. But il would be all over soon.
He had sunk down upon the floor,
and lay there, helpless and scarcely
conscious, when loud voice suddenly
made its way TO his dullcd ears. Then
there was n great crashing of glass,
and figure lcapcd into IT, room.
Out OF the burning room into the
windy night and the clear starlight he
was carried 10y firm arms. There was
just enough intelligence left in him 10
make him cling 70 his dclivcrcr, and
vaguely comprehend that he must
hold fast while they went down n lad
der. Somehow the descent was accom-
plishcd IL. safety, and then Michael
found himself on heap of straw in the
farmyard, and heard great clamor and.
shouting around him.
The clamor ceased; he saw and heard
nothing more till he woke ut length
from long spell of unconsciousness.
He was no longer in that ill-omcncd
room with the waited roof, but in
homcly chamber of larger size, with
low ceiling. Some one had been bath
ing his face, and when he tried To lift
his hand TO his head lie found that the
trembling fingers were too feeble TO
bc Of any use. An elderly woman came
gently 70 the bedside and spoke in a
kindly tone that he seemed 10 remem-
Der.
Lie STILL" she said, ''you must use
my hands till you get stronger"
1t was Mrs. Hooper, vino was nursing
al L.. Ill H., L..
room Of the old inn. The slow hours
dragged along at sluggish pace; he
could only obey the kind mandate and
lie still, for he was too weak To move,
and even thinking was almost beyond
his powers Yet he felt himself sur
rounded 10y friends, and now and then
a sense Of gratitude would struggle
through the dull calm. So days went
on, and he lay in the humble village inn
in helplessncss and weary peace.
While he was lying there things were
going on much as usual in Eastmeon,
and every one in the place was ac-
quaintcd with the story of his rescue
from the burning room. That is, they
knew the outlines of the story; but only
Jane ChallocS and Mrs. Hooper knew
all that Aaron could tell. And il was
Aaron who had saved Michacls life.
Jane" he said, II can't tell you how
/ hated him when he came upon us on
the bridge. had wanted 10 meet him
face To face, and had my viii.
thought of all his basencss To the poor
girl in London, and II You had not been
by my side think should have struck
him then and there"
Thank God was with you. Aaron"
Jane whispered.
YES, thank God you are always with
me. A good woman softens man una
wares. When we were walking to-