The Somerset reporter., 1893-06-29

Up ~ ul,~4, ,.r',.-ies, Mnlch were eooD
invaded by the consciousness that the
freshly rising breeze was carrying a
strong scent Of burning upon lis wings.
INSTANTLY alert. lac ran to the house. find
ing "A bundle of oily ras,s stuffed under
the piazza floor. He tore away the mass,
stamped ont the fire. and running around
10 the front found the mcendiari had
put in better work Smoke and fire We're
starting from several points, and the
western corner, right under Dalsy.s
room. WAS already bursting INTO flames.
Loudly calling Fire TO arouse the
sleepers, who would hot have too much
time To get down from the upper rooms.
lie climbed up to Daisys balcony and
pounded at her window. She sprang To
the window white as death, but under.
standing Just what he wanted her to do.
Let me IN. and will carry the baby
down stairs, he cried hurricdly. for the
wind famed flames We're making quick
head way with the light boards. Follow
me closely D,n't stop for anything.
will como back for yonr things.
But all her possessions had to 90 with
the rest, for the fire gained force so ia =
idly that Jack had to work hard to as
sist some Of the others 10 get out alive.
Uncle Jerry, sleeping on the ground
floor, was one of the first to get ont. al1d
with Daisy and the trembling little one
stood at a safe distance sadly watching
the destruction. Suddenly Daisy darted
forward, CRYING; "0h, where isNlaicolns
He has not come down." AS she spoke
a cry from above drew every ones eyes.
From one of the highest windows
white, bewildered face looked out. "Oh,
Malcolm, screamed Daisy "you shall
be saved And she flew distractedly
toward the fiery place.
$50 back. sternly commanded JacA
He shall be saved if die for it.. He
dashed into the burning doorway, and
! for an awful moment the spectators
waited Then with a crash the roof fell
in ON one side, cutting off the stairs
But Jack was seen the next instant at
the window by the doctor Some OF the
men were stiapping two short, light lad
I ders together with frantic haste and
steadying them against the wall, where
they nearly reached the window. They
shouted to Jack cheerily finging him a
rope, which he was seen to fasten around
the other mans waist. He lowered him
to the top rounds, then stood quietly
waiting for him to descend the ladder
which would hardly bear the weight OF
two. Swinging himself out, while the
! flames, which had burst into the room,
seemed to chase him, he dropped upon
the ladder.
As his feet touched the ground
crowd of men surrounded him, all eager
to clasp his hand But they fell back to
make way for Mrs. Lane, who ran up
with pale face and eyes shining like stars
in the early ,ght. There were eloquent
words on her tongue, but not one could
she speak. She could only put her two
little hands in his and gaze up at his sad,
/ honest eyes, with big tears falling from
/ her own.
1t was a hard moment for Jack, and to
relieve his embarrassment he nurmured,
Il was so glad to be i'll time to get HIM
down safely for you"
"For my sister, that means. You know
he is my only sisters husband"
Htl Ht 10 llot tilc piio ~" "AS SiA
gagged tot" gasped Jack.
Engaged! What are you talking
about? | am not engaged to any one,
but hear that you are" said Daisy, re-
treating in great disorder from the rap
turous embrace with which Jack, made
bold by something he saw i'll her face.
refuted the statement.
Mordaunt joined vigilance commit
tee that rode off at once to search Tor the
incendiaries, capturing them, rs they
had reason to hope from past experience,
at group of miserable huts which shell
tered gang of reprobates, but instead
of returning with the party Mordaunt
took train for the east and has never
come back. Jack and Daisy, with hearts
made kind by love, forgive and forget
and have sent him cards for their we'd
ding, which, in celebration of the event
full Independence day of last year, they
have appropriately appointed for the
Fourth of July, lS93.-New York Mail
and Express.