The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1894-11-01

stood a few seconds In the open
door, and in the glare Of the light
ming she saw that a large limb from
a tree had been thrown by the storm
with such violence against the back
door of the house as to have thrown
it down on the hall floor. Into the
opening thus made the branch Of the
tree was projecting, and the rain
was pouring in a vast stream. Per-
ceiving that she could do nothing at
all out there she stepped back to
shut her door.
At that instance a stroke of light
ming came with terrific force against
the side of the house just over
the fallen door, and Sarah sank
stunned to the floor. But the rain,
pouring into the room from the
hall, soon brought her to, and she
Immediately became aware OF the
awful fact that the house was on fire.
The lightning had torn off part Of the
Notwithstanding around the door
and set the laths and studs on fire.
Without was the awful storm, within
the devouring fire was fast gaining
Roadway! The water was some
inches deep in the rea end of the
hall, and still pouring in, and the
first impulse she felt was to ill her
bucket and throw it on the FIRE.
Rushing to the kitchen she grabbed
the bucket and went to work to
fight the flames. For Ave or ten
minutes she stood in the water, fast
becoming drenched, but h~eroically
dipping it up and throwing it on the
fire. But the smoke was sitting her.
What would she do? How could one
poor, unaided girl fight successfully
fire and storm? Would it not be
best to gather up a few most neces-
sary things and rush out to one Of
the buildings in the yard? But she
could not endure the thought of
giving up the noble mansion to the
flames while she had any strength
left. Without a moments pause she
continued to dip up the water and
throw it against the burning wall.
With ;ov she saw that she was over
coming the flames; nope reviycd Ia
her heart and strengthened her arms.
In a minute more the fire was
seemingly extinguished. But she was
not satisfied, for she feared that
higher up than she had been able to
throw the water the fire might yet be
burning. So she ran up stairs. Sc
dense was the smoke up there that
che had to crawl on her hands ano
knees to find air to breathe. She
reached the wall, but could see nc
fire. A great relief came over her
, only to forsake her again. For
, when she put her hand against the
plaster, she felt that it was so hot
she could moi bear to keep Il
there. Now all was surely lost
Rushing down stairs she brought W
her bucket of water in IL hand ant
a Ratchet in the other. Then sh'
threw open the window at that emf
of the hall, and let the rain pour il
, on the floor. With the air whicl
also came in she could breathe mucl
more comfortably, and exerting a.
her strength she chopped a hole Il
the wall of the house just above tn
place where the fire had burned
Into this she poured her bucket @
water; then another, and another
:. till she was sure the fire, if ther
any in the wood, was put out. TIL
storm had now very much abated
) IL she went to her room to fin
: some dry clothes Soon after sh
, fell asleep from sheer exhaustion
and did not awake till the sun ha
: risen. Immediately she ran to tn
| window aud looked out. There wa
= her brothers. horse, lying down clos
to the house, with saddle and bride
but in vain did she look for hi
master, he was nowhere to be seer
and her agonized cries for hir
u brought no response.
60 be continued.)