The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1892-01-02

Il Sickcniug. deadly thnd, surely the
most agonizing sound have ever.
heard. My brave heroic friend was
dead, there could he no doubt of it
he had died while doing his duiy-had
given his life for another. Then across
my mind came those sweet words,
s.Bettcr love hath no man shown than
lhis-ihat he lay down his life for his
friend The child was almost Il
stranger 10 Stewart but he had pcrilcd
his life for it, What would not tins
man have done for II friend? | could
not realize the dreadful lruth-Stewart
Alban dead, and should never see
him mOrc---hiS beautiful face all black
rned and charred 10y the horrible
flames. My brain reeled, everything
grew dim before my eyes, and then
knew no more.
When recovered consciousness
someone was bending over me, some
one whose form seemed strangely ia
miliar,and for few moments thought
| was in another world. Surely that
form was-but no, Stewart was dead
then raised my eyes and glanced up
ut the face. Merciful heaven. Tie. face
of Stewart Alban, yes 1t was hc-wlth
u bandage around his head, Il pair of
blue glasses over his eyes, one lrm in
sling and Il crutcll in the other hand
he was certainly picture of aiiiiction.
The face was blackcncd, the mOuStachc
gone and nothing save his form ap-
Il
mental interrogatory, he said:
"No, | am not killed, ,although had
close shave. Payne saved me just
III time. | had fallen beneath the
window inside and he rescued me one
minute before the crash came. am
out of danger now and will soon be
able to walk without the aid of II
crutch.'
"But," said |, ''wherc is Payne? Did
| faint last night? What has become of
everybody"
LAST night? Why, man you have
been dangerously ill for month and
must not talk. will send Payne TO
YOU And he kept his word.
Some weeks later, when | was be
ginning to 30 about again, Stewart
and strollcd down near the lake, and
sat down upon grassy knoll 10 rrst,
for neither of us was capable of much
exertion and easily fatigued. The
| shruhbcrv on either side concealed us
from view, and here we converScd
freely without fear Of interruption.
Stewart was speaking of Payne's hero
ism in saving his life, utterly regard
less of the fact that he WAS the greater
hero. Presently we heard voices and
then approaching footsteps, and as they
drew nearer the conversation of the
new ComerS became audible; we could
not fail TO hear the words spoken, rs
Payne and Alinp l.ee-for il was they
passed by without seeing us, the dense
foliage and shrubbery conccaling us
from their sight.
AIine was speaking: "Ycs," she
said 81 have loved you ever since
first met you.
"And ! thought yon loved" will
Il slight gasp, "Stewart.
.Oh, no, > she answers, and Stewart !
face grows white rs il will ever be il
his coffin.
"Mr. Alban is a gentleman and :
hero and | will alwayc be proud IL
have such friend, but as for LOVING
him, could not do that"
"But, Allie persists the loving
handsome man near her, chad IN
asked you to marry him
II would have told him no, hut
,, am sure he had no intention of doin:
| 4 Ia, ,liI Tnr 4
, would grieve me to give him pain.
! And they passed on.
, All was over. Stewart had provel
himself hero, but had he not been
= Christian, he could not have endure,
the shock so manfully. lie looked sc
noble; even now, " hen the ugly glasse
I and crimson cheeks detracted so mucl
/ from his beauty. There was the ligh
+ of firm resolution manifest in tha
y reddened face-the result of an heroic
: deed-and he said no word, as w
: made our way back to the house. Whel
| Payne told us of his engagement, q
course we congratulated him ant
Stewart Alban was as earnest III hi
expression of good wishes as myself
Yes, he had resolved to bear his fat
I with true manlincss and he did. Th
+, wedding was to take place within tn
v year.
r y
Reader, she did not marry Payn
Wood In the church yard down il
5 the valley, not far from the shad
woodland where she promised to b
his wife, Aline Lee sleeps, the bride @
death. Around her grave, the swec
a wild flowers bloom in summer, whil
| overhead the little birds sing mourn
= fully of the pure, young girl who lie
u beneath the grassy mound, and l
n winter the falling snow covers tina
sacred grave with Its spotless robe c
J., purity and lovclIness, as Though tn