The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-05-29
The RI a OH u MIss. 1 d sDAY NAY %

/ VN&S>1 e&AANA NAsa 4QouSA ldC6 IIlQ QOlO-
Ing his oaken stool In his hand took q
0ew steps forward
"Now," said he, trembling with ex-
dtement "thero is the doorl'
F. The mt hunter had risen. He seemed
strangely calm.
Xavier, /" said he. you are making
yourself unnecessary trouble. Your
scorn no longer irritates me- Once have
I 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 tho whole
room Then came fearful clap The
windows ratified With q shrek, the
landlady sprang up and all rushed to
the window.
THAT struokl" sold the ant hunter
and sat quietly down again.
Outside deepest darkness reigned. In
vain did we seek to pierce 1t Suddenly
9 column of fire mounted 10 heaven.
The whole Village was as light as day.
20 God. my farm buildingsr' cried
Xavter, burying his face In his hands
Il 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 tho darkness
OF the night
e'Firel Firer was next heard through
the village. and the startled people ran
Mther and thither IN the widest excite
nent Windows were thrown open,
doors cpeaked on thedr hinges, and ev-
erybody rushed toward the wooded ridge
from tho foot Of which mighty pyra-
mid of fame rose toward the sky.
Shriaking and crying, tho frightened
women and children begged their hus-
bands and fathers not TO expose them
solves to danger
But their alarm was groundIees They
bad nothing to fear from that scene of
horror. Not finger was lifted 30 bring
help 10 that stricken home God himsalf
bad hurled the thunderbolt and where
no ktndles the fire-eo it Is related
shudderingly from generation to gener-
alton Of tho peasant folk-billowe of
voter are powerleSs to extinguish it
Idly, therefore, stood hundreds of
people before the finest farmhouse in
the valley and gazed with impotent hr-
ror into the flames which would soon
engulf it
With dishevelod locks and wild de-
spair In his eyes, Xavier appeared now
and then and threw out whatever came
10 his hand, howsoe~er worthless it
might be.
The wretched man had lost his senses
a group of women had gathered about
the we'll. and In their midst lay the
farmers wife who had dropped down
there utterly exhausted from fright and
excitement She had been with tho chill
drcn in the house when the lightning
struck the adjoining barn and SGT it ON
fire When sho flew from tho house, the
rafters were already abla7e
The women werc bathing her head
with the fresh we'll water when she
opened her eyes and looked anxiously
about
''FTiedol, Loirer' she cried, and with
the words pressed tho sobbing children
10 her breast
''Merciful henpe1lI My little Tuny!"
she suddenly shriehed. springing 70 her
feet He lies up there in his cradle
and will be burned to deathr'
Horror held the bystanders SPELL
bound II was heo1trendng to soc the
poor mother in her despair It did not
seem possible for human being to offer
help Already tho flames were bursting
from the windows Even Xavier had
been forced 10 desist from his labors
With singed hair and clothing, he ap-
po0red now in the doorway.
My babyi My baby! Save my
babyv" moaned the mothcn wringing
her hands
No ono stirred Any attempts would
have been foolhartly.
GIVE me my child. or I shall dSe!"
she cried again and rushed herself TO-
ward tho scorohing, fiery furnace, as if
to snatch her darling from its depths.
Just then 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 q
criminal; now Will tako my revengei'
An icy chill ran through my veins at
tbeee words 10 was the ant hunter who
spoke.
Joseph! Good heavens! Wouh you
kill my child?' cried the mother, and
In her desperation she chung about his
knees
Quick rs lightning tho ant hunter
pushed heT from him and rushed him
self into tho billowing flames. A cry of
horror burst from all who saw him
The unhappy man had voluntarily gone
10 his death. Any instant the rafters
might fall In, and if no were not suffo-
Gated with the smoke they would bury
him in their ruins.
A few brcathless horrible moments
went by. Silently all eyes were fixed
upon the fire wreathed windows. when
EQl6n1ll1 fhnr,o ok kIc ton