The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1893-12-02

ancing herself on the top she dropped
to the ground. Her skirts caught on
the sharp points, but she managed to
wrench them free, and, noticing
how her hands were bleeding, made her
way to the house.
The flames shot upward; the smoke
rolled in huge columns toward the
darkening sky; but still no sound came
from the inmates of the burning build
ing. Could she save them? Would her
father never come?
Looking anxiously around, she saw
an open window; she sprang through
it and found that she was in the
thickest of the smoke. What she did
must be done quickly.
She snatched a wooden scarf. she had
thrown over her head and, binding it
around her mouth, prepared to fight
her way to the foot of the stairs. Inch
by inch she pressed forward. till,
blinded by the smoke, she struck her
foot against the lower step. With a
little scream of joy she flew up the
stairs, and along the wide hall to Jacks
room.
Jack was just awaking from a
troubled sleep. Hearing Cecile's voice,
he instantly sprang up, comprehending
the danger almost before she could tell
MIN of it..
Mother sleeps downstairs in the
little room On the right" he said, in
answer to her question. wait, Cecile."
He frantically searched for his cloth
ing, but Cecile was away again bat
Ting with the smoke, which almost
overpowered her. The flames were
licking their way toward Mrs New
toms room. Cecile saw this, and
breathed a prayer for help. She fairly
flew down the stairs, and reached the
door Just as one cruel tongue of fire
darted across the top of it.
She found Mrs. Newton in a heavy
stupor, and all her efforts to rouse her
were in vain. She could not wait for
Jack, so she wrapped the heavy form
in a blanket, and how, she knew not,
managed to drag her into the hall.
Then Jack joined her. He promptly
relieved her of her burden. and in an
instant had led the way to safety.
Mr.. Grey and his men, having but
just reached the scene, were preparing
to fight the fire, and after taking in
this fact, Cecile's courage and strength
gave way. and she slipped down at
Jacks feet.
Mrs. Grey now came hurrying up,
and together she and Jack half-dragged,
half-carried the two helpless ones to
her home. A doctor was sent for, and
a simple application of restoratives
aroused Mrs. Newton, who listened
with tears to the story OF Cecile's hero
ism. Turning to Jack she said, simply
and humbly: 81 misjudged her. For
give me-"
Jacks face frightened, but he con-
tinued his restless walk before the door
of the room where Cecile lay.
Just as the morning dawned she
opened her eyes and asked: rs Jack
safer
Then she fell asleep with a happy
smile on her lips. She had burned her
hands and arms; her beautiful hair was
singed badly, and her strength had
been terribly taxed; but in n month
she had recovered sufficiently to take a
short drive, and Jack took her to see
the ruins.
Every building on the place had been
burned to the ground.
Il am glad of it." said Jack. ~ in
tend to build 4 new house, to which ]
shall be proud to take my wife. Will
you come, Cecilc?'
What will your mother say?" she
asked with n touch of playfulness,
while her eyes gave him the answer he
she is more than anxious to well
you as Il daughter"
So it was settled; and Mrs. Newton,
as she looks at her daughter Cecile's
hands, says: They are the most beau
tiful hands in the world to me, if they
are SCARED and blackened"
And the feud of the west pasture is
at an end.
Jack and his wife are very happy.
They are talking of another picnic to
take the place of the one planned a
year ago, and it is to be held in the
west pasture. brakes Magazine.
cUAanaTLN ne A CLhKEDECC |