The morning call., 1892-02-21
SOUL GUARDING SOUL.

hinge tree near me fell to the ground mp
rooted 4 ltmp-pOst was blown over, AMI
tin roof from some adjacent building lCaled
pastor the storm. l beard a terrific crash
as Of q falling building. Still / held 10 The
wall, and kept my eyes riYeted upon the
house across the way.
The bowling wind went TO rest; the storm
subsidized as quickly a It had begun. Again
/ crossed the street and tried the door Ii
was locked as before, but finally yielded TO
my onslaught and spraug open. l explored
every room, but TO my surprise the house
was empty.
Amazed, l returned to the street Ny
clothing was dripping; l was chilled to the
bone | fastened 10 my dwelling in a be-
widered state OF mind, determined to
change by attire and then pursue the
couple until l had found them and meted
out their punishment
As I turned a corner leading TO my bach
e.0r apartments l observed a crowd Of eX-
cited people blocking the street for q con-
siderable distance. a strange impression
seized me that this COucOurSe had some
thing to 10 with myself, and / elbOwed my
way through TO where my dwelling had
| formerly stood. / say Formerly for
there now remained nothing but q great
heap of ruins.
The tornado Of the night had caved in 4
sewer directly over which my house had
been built. The foundations D d given way
and tie entire building had collapsed.
There was not a gITder left entire. The
FIRE Department was on the premises hard
at work. and had already found the body Of
NY cOloTed servant crushed beyond recOg-
milton. The men were busy searching for
my remains when / came unexpectedly
upon tie scene aud relieved them from
further apprehension. Ny first feeling was
enc OF e&utaJi0n at my DrOyidential es
cape. Then came Revision Of sentiment.
/ was alm 81 sorry l bad not been killed,
Tor what was there 10 1--we for since Cora
! had proven herself faith.esS SOTrOwfully
/ turned my back up0u the debris, the scene
Of former happiness, aud maTvelng az the
strange events Of the night which had pre-
served me FROM certain death, l wandered
Go the house OF COra's father.
Mr.. Abbey .0oksd at me in genuine sur
prise when | entered bis room. lie had
heard of the Calamity ana had naturally
concluded that l had been killed 10y the
falling oi my dwelling.
God be praised he cried, embracing
me IN his JOY. % had given up all hopes of
ever seeing you again. How aid you es-
cape?'
Tell NE" I said. hoarsely, Selling him
by the arm, "Whcre IS Cora"
W here should she be bat at Old Point
Comfort ~
Don't irIde with me" 1 cried, desper-
aJely, am almost mad. Size must be
here. / saw her en- the street last night.
Where is she ROSS 2'
The cid gentleman thought l was mad in
deed. In vain be assured me that his daugh-
ter had E0t returned. l would no- could
not believe t.
The d#o.-beu rang and a telegram was
handed lu. Ii was for ne. was marked Old
Point Comfort and ran as follows:
are sou well and safe? Have had such terri
bic preseuumeuls. Wire the truth. CORA.
knew not what to think. Was this an
otGer ac- ia The heaUtless and cruel farce?
could only sit and wonder. hIle Mr.. \ b.
hey answered the telegram. An hour later
i received ibis message:
lclnl0t resi-. Am Coming home this evening
CORA.