Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-03-31

1t is answered. At this moment Hsr-
dinge reaches her, and fiinging off his
coat, he catches her in it. Folding 1t
around her, lie holds her as il in vis0.
What brought him back (beyond the
mercy of Cody he never knew, except
that those last words of his, "Don't set
fire to yourself, at all events, had
seemed to haunt him after he left her.
A foolish fear about the words had
touched his lovers heart, and compelled
him to mount a wall and look back. In
moment he had seen.
He quenched the flames in a miracu-
lously short time. Letitia Is able to
stand up and answer family his passion
ate questions as to her safety, when sud-
denly voice strikes upon them that
renders both dumb.
1t is the voice of Miss Bainbridge.
She has been toiling up the hill. She
looks almost distraught.
'Ob, sir" cries she, catching Letitia
in her arms, "I saw all. thought |
should have died. Oh, my girl-my
darling childl" (She spends her whole
time in tormsnting Letitia, but Letitia
for all that is the apple Of her eye.) Oh,
sir, how can thank youl Toe gratitude
of my life is yours-the preserVer of my
pretty child" Then the old lady burs:
out crying. Half an hour ago she would
have died rather thad tell Letitia she was
pretty, but now she lays many offerings
at her feet. Poor feet. They nigh
have been burned. "If you will add one
more service to the immeasurable one
you have already done me-" says she,
softly, "you will help me to get my poor
child back to the house"
"But," begins Hardiuge. 1t seems
wrong to him, even at this supreme mo.
ment, to deceive the old lady--to 90 into
the house under false pretenses. If she
knew his name.
A little pressure from the hand Of
Letitia decides him. How can nc have
zcruples when she is so ill-so fright.
enedl
Silently he passes his arm around her,
and with her aunt takes her back to the
house. They lay her on sofa. Miss
Baubridge Alngs rug over her burnt
dress.
"She must rest here little before 60
ing upstairs, says she.
'Mis8 Banbridge," says the young
man, now turning with determination
towards her, "I-I wish to say
"Sir, it is what l have to say" says
Miss Banbridge, with emotion. 81 have
not half thanked you. How can n If
there is anything can do--any way in
which l car show my gratitude to you
pray, name it. III the mean time, pray
tell me the name of the brave man who
has delivered NY niece from the very
jaws OF DEATH
"Hardinge," says he, shortly.
"What" MISS Banbridge has fallen
back in her chair, staring a. him with
wild eyes.
eyes, Hardinge," says tho young man
steadily, if sorrowfully. He psuses.
"After all, says he, 81 can't help my
name"
There is pause; Letitia draws her
breath sharply. "Tnat is true" says
Miss Banbrid6e, at last, in a severe un-
dertone.
81 cant help having had grand
father, either" says Hardnge, taking
another step.
"No; suppose not, " most reluctantly.
''Most fellows have grandfathers"
81 cannot contradict you, sir"
"Miss Banbridge," says Hardinge,
going closer to her, aud gazing at her
with all his heart in his eyes, "you asked
me Just now il there was any way in
which you could show your gratitude to
me-about-ab0ut this thing. want
no gratitude. would have gladly died
TO save your niece paug. But-but
you have given me the opportunity to
tell you that I want-heri l love her.
She loves me. Give her to me-
"Letitiar" says Miss Banbridge in a
strange voice.
"Oh, yesl 1t is true" says Letitia,
bursting into tears. 81 do love him. 1
loved him that night at the Main warnings
and have loved him better and bet
ter every day SINCE" Here her sobs in
creasing, she used to come to see me in
the meadows, where-where l was nearly
burned!"
Whether this allusion to the late catas-
trophe, that might have ended in a
tragedy, stills Miss Banbridge's wrath, or
whether her old heart has been sOftened
by Hardinge's plain acknowledgment Of
his love for her niece, no one can tell.
She turns to Hardinge, with pale face,
but not wholly unkindly air.
al must have time to think, says she.
She hesitates aud then says: "ThiS is
very painful to me, Mr.-Hardiuge." 1t
seems certainly painful to her to pro-
nounce his name-the name SO long
tabooed in her household. "I must have
time-time." She grows silent. The
hearts OF the lovers sink. Suddenly she
looks up again.