Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1894-07-25

cftement, there Is the doori'
The ant hunter had risen. He seemed
strangely calin.
"Xavier, said he, you are making
yourself unnecessary trouble. Your
scorn no longer irrita0cs me. Once have
[ raised my hand against you in revenge,
but ought not to have done it. Now
am waiting until the hour itself comes. "
A binding light flooded the whole
room, Then came fearful clap. The
windows ratified. With shrek, the
landlady Gprang up, and all rushed to
the window
"That struckr' said the ant hunter
and sat quietly down again.
Outside deepest darkness reigned. In
vain did we seek to pierce it. Suddenly
column of fire mounted to heaven.
The whole village was as light as day.
80 God, my farm buildings!" cried
Xavier, burying his face in his hands
II believe tho.hour is here" said the
ant hunter and emptied his glass.
From the towers sounded again the
storm bell Grewsome were the shrill
tones as they rang through the darkness
of the night.
"Fire! Firer' was next heard through
the village, and the startled people ran
hither and thither in the widest excite
ment. Windows were thrown open,
doors creaked on their hinges, and ev.
erybody rushed toward the wooded ridge
from the foot Of which mighty pyra-
mid Of flame rose toward the sky.
Shrieking and crying, the frightened
women and children begged their hus-
bands and fathers not to expose them.
selves to danger
But their alarm was groundless. They
had nothing to fear from that scene of
horror Not finger was lifted to bring
help TO that stricken home. God himself
had hurled the thunderbolt, and where
he kindles the fire-so it is related
shudderingly from generation to gener-
alton of the peasant folk--billows of
water are powerless to extinguish it.
Idly, therefore, stood hundreds of
people before the finest farmhouse in
the valley and gazed with impotent hor,
ror into the flames which would soon
engulf it.
With disheveled locks and wild de.
spair in his eyes, Xavier appeared now
and then and threw out whatever came
to his hand, howsoever worthless it
might be.
The wretched man had lost his senses.
A group of women had gathered about
the well, and in their midst lay the
farmers wife, who had dropped down
! there utterly exhausted from fright and
excitement. She had been with the chill
dren In the house when the lightning
struck the adjoining barn and set it Oh
| fire. When she flew from the house, the
/ rafters were already ablaze.
The women We're bathing her head
with the fresh well water when she
opened her eyes and looked anxiously
about
"Friedel, Loire!" she cried, and with
the words pressed the sobbing children
to her breast
"Mercifcil heaven! My little Tony!'
nne suddenly shrieked, springing to her
feet. HE lies up there in his cradle
and will be burned to deathp'
Horror held the bystanders spell
bound. 1t was heartrending to see the
poor mother i'll her despair. 1t did not
seem possible for a human being to offer
help. Already the flames were bursting
from the windows Even Xavier had
! been forced to desist from his labors.
With singed hair and clothing, he ap-
peared now in the doorway.
"My babyl My baby! Save my
babyP' moaned the mother, wringing
her hands.
No one stirred. Any attempt would
have been foolhardy.
"Give me my child, or I shall dep
she cried again and rushed herself to-
ward the scorching, fiery furnace, as If
to snatch her darling from its depths.
Just then q heavy hand was laid upon
her shoulder, holding her back.
Don't do that, Marie, she heard a
rough voice say. "You have made me O
criminal; now will take my revengei"
An icy chill ran through my veins at
these words. 1t was the ant hunter who
spoke.
"Josephl Good heavensl Would you
kill my child?" cried the mother, and
In her desperation she clung about his
knees.
4
Quick as lightning the ant hunter
pushed her from him and rushed him
self into the billowing flames. A cry Of
horror burst from all who saw him.
The unhappy man had voluntarily gone
to his death. ANY instant the rafters
might fall In, and if he were not suffo-
Gated with the smoke they would bury
him in their ruins
A few breathless, horrible moments
went by. Silently all eyes were fixed
upon the fire wreathed windows, when
suddenly there appeared at the top one
a figure holding black object high in
his hands.
Catch itp' sounded from above.
Twenty hands were stretched into the
air and caught the cradle which the ant
hunter dropped to them.
A low whimpering issued from 1t.
"He lives" were the joyful words
that rang from the heart of the mother.
'He livesp" fell with hollow sound
| from the window above, and the whole