The Press., 1894-07-26

word, and with flushed face and hold ing his oaken stool in his hand took a few steps forward.
 Now said he, trembling with ex- citement, there is the door!''
 The ant hulter had risen. He seemed strangely calm.
 Xavier, said he, ''you are making yourself unnecessary trouble Your scorn no longer irritates me. Once have raised my hand against you ill revenge, but ough, not to have done it. Now am waiting until the hour itself comes :" v A binding light flooded the whole. room. Then came fearful clap. The | windows rattled. With shriek, the landlady sprang up, and all rushed to 1 the window.
 That struck" 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.
 70 God, my farm buildingsl' cried Xavier, burying his face ill his hands.
 T believe the hour is here,'' said the ant hunter and emptied his glass. From the towers sounded agaln the storm bell. Grewsome were the shrill tones as they rang through the darkness of the night. .-,-
 "Firel Firel' was next heard through the village, and the startled rooplo 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- ation 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- | enguf it.
 1 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 we'll, and ill their midst lay the farmers wife, who had dropped down there utterly exhausted from fright and excitement. She had been with the chil- dren in the house when the lightning struck the adjoining barn and set it on fire. When she flew from the house, the rafters were already ablaze.
 The women were bathing her head with the fresh we'll water when she opened her eyes and looked anxiously about. ] TFriedel, Loire!' she cried, and with the words pressed the sobbing children to her breast.
 ''Merciful heaven! My little Tonyp' she suddenly shrieked, springing to hel feet. 'He lies up there ill his cradle and will be burned to deathP'
 Horror held the bystanders spell bound. It was heartrending. to see the poor mother ill her despair. It did not seem possible for human being to offer help. Already the flames were bursting from the windows Even Xavier haC b6en forced to desist from his labors With singed hair and clothing, he ap peared now in the doorway. l SEMv hohut My habuI Gaua Tnx babyP moaned the mother, wringine her hands. { I No one stirred. Any attempt wouls have been foolhardy.
 "Gire me my child, or I shall diep she cried again and rushed herself to- ward the scorching, fiery furnace, as ii to snatch her darling from its depths. Just then heavy hand was laid upoI her shoulder, holding her back.
 Don't do that, Marie" she heard 2 rough voice say. "You have made me 2 criminal; now will take my revengeP
 An icy chill ran through my veins al these words It was the ant hunter who spoke.
 Joseph! Good heavensl Would yor kill my child?'' cried the mother, anG in her desperation she clung about his knees. .-...s.
 Quick as lightning the ant hunter pushed her from him and rushed him self into the billowing flames. A cry O horror burst from all who saw him The unhappy man had voluntarily gone to his death. Any instant the rafters might fall ill, and if he were not suffo cated with the smoke they would bury him in their ruins.
 A few breathless horrible moment! went by. Silently all eyes were fixet upon the fire wreathed windows, whe1 suddenly there appeared at the top on' 8 figure holding a black object high il : his hands.
 "Catch it!" sounded from above Twenty hands were stretched into thu air and caught the cradle which the an hunter dropped to them.
 A low whimpering issued from it.
 "He liyesp' were the joyful word