Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1893-04-06
Mehanrhwn Frederick County, Maryland Thursday Apl6 1893 ~


of fire. 1t blows upon her. face. She
recoily from it. bnt it follows her. Mad
" she lifts her hands and tries to beat
it back. The mea! The men at the
fence! Wnere are they! Alas, they
have AL goue to dinner. Once again y
frantic cry bursts FROM her lips.
1t is answered At this moment Har.
drnge reached her. and tlinging off his
coat, he clutches her III il. Folding it
around her he holds her as if in wise.
What brought him back (beyond the
mercy of God) he never. knew. except
that those last words Of his, Don't set
fire to yours'l If, at all events. had seem.
ell to haunt him after he lett her. A
/ foolish fear about the words had
touched his lovers heart, land compelled
him to mount a wal and look back. In
Il moment he had seen.
He quenched the flames N miracu-
Iously y short time. Letlt,a is able to
stand up and answer fartly his passion
ate questions as to her safety, when
suddenly voice strikes upon them that
renders both dumb.
1t is the voice OF MISS B.inbriAge.
She has been toiliug up the hill. She
looks almost distranght.
Oh, sir, cries she, catching Letitia
in her arms. 4 saw all. I thought l
should have died. Oh. my glrl-my
darling child" (She spends her whole
time in tormentlng Letiti;l, but Letl!ia
for all that is the apple of her eye.)
oh. sir, how can l thank you? The
gratitude Of my life is yours-the pre-
server of my pretty child Then the
old lady burst out crying. Half an
hour ago she would have died rather
than tell Letitia she was pretty. but
now she lays many offerings at her feet.
Poor feet. They might have been
burned If you will add one more ser
vice to the mmeasurable one yoa have
already done me, says she. softly, you
will help me to get my poor child back
to the bouse.
But, begins Harl.nge. It seems
wrong to him. even at this supreme NO
m mt. to deceive the old lady--to 20 i'll
to the house under false pretenses. If
she knew his name
A little pressure from the hand of
Ii titia dec ;des him. How can he have
scrurles when she is so ill-so fright
enrd ?
Silently he passes his arm around
her, anl with her aunt takes her back
to the house. They lay her on sofa.
Miss Banbridse hluss a rug over her
| burnt dr., SIS.
She must rest here a little before CO.
ing upstairs, says she.
Miss B.ubrldge, says the young
man, nov tuning with determination
towards htr, ii wish to say -
Sir. it is what | have to say, saws
Miss Baubridge, with emotion. i have
not half thanked you. How can |? II
there is anything can do--any way
, IN which can show my gratitude to
yon-prav, name it. In the mean time,
pray tell me the name of the brave man
who has drliyered my niece from the
very jaws Of DEATH
'iIarhiuse. SAYS he. shortly.
What Miss B4nblldge has fallen
I back in her chair, staring u; him with
wild eyes.
Yes, Hardinge. says tue Young man
steadily, If sorrowfuly. He pausea
After all, says he, / cant help my
name.
There is pause Letii. draws her
breath sharply. That is true. says
Miss Banbrid5e, at last, iu severe un.
dtrtone.
Il cant help having had ii grandfath
er. either, says Hardinye, taking an.
other step.
No; suppose not IN ost reluctantly.
Most fellows have grandf!thers
y cannot contradict You, sir.
MISS BAnbrlIge,' says Hardinge. 60
ing closer to her, and gazing ut her with
all his heart IN his eyes. you asked me
Just now If there was any way in which
YOU could show your gratitude to me
about-sbout this thing. want no
gratitude. would have gladly died
to save your niece pang Bnt--but
you haze given me the opportunity to
tell Won that | want-her! | love her.
She loves me. Give her to me
'Letitia 7 says Miss Bainridge i'll a
strange voice.
Oh. yes! 1t is true says Letitia.
bursting into tears. / do love him. |
loved him that night at tbs Mainwsr-
inss and have loved him better and
better every day since Here her sobs