The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1894-01-06


the window. As she threw up the sash
and leaned out across the sill, she saw
that cloudy sky had taken the place
of the starry one she had gazed at ear
licr in the night.
The wind had risen, ind blew In fit
full gusts around tho corners of the
house.
A troubled thought of the pleasure
she had anticipa ted came to Cecile, and
then all at once. as n stronger gust OF
wind came to her, she smcllcd a faint
odor of smoke.
Looking quickly ut the barn and
other buildings she could see nothing
an<iously in the direction of Jacks
house,
what was that red glow spreading
above the tree tops?" she wondered.
And then she realized that the New
ton farmhouse was on fire.
Running downstairs she reused her
father, then out of the door, and away
through, the darkness she sped in the
direction of the burning building.
All was quiet when she reached the
gate, which was locked What sho uld
she do? She looked up at the high pick
cts with their cruelty sharp points, and
then began to climb rcsolutely up. Bal
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, never noticing
how her hands were bleeding, made her
way to the house.
The flames shot upwards; the smoke
rolled in huge columns toward the
darlicning 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, shc saw
an open window; she sprang through
it and found that She was in the
thicl>cst of the smoke. What she did
must be done quickly.
She snatchcd Il wooden scarf she had
thrown over her head, and, binding it
around her mouth, prepared to fight
her way to tho foot of the stairs. Inch
by inch she pressed forward, till,
blinded by the smoke, she struck her
foot against tho lower step. With Il
li,tlc scream of joy she flew up the
stairs, and along the wide hail to J acs' s
room.
Jack just av;llsing from Il
troubled sleep. Hearing Cecile'ss voice,
he instantly sprang up, comprchcnding
the danger almost before she could tell
him of it.
''Mother sleeps downstairs in the
little room on the right he said, in
answer to her question. ''Wait, Cceile. ,;
lie frantically searched for his cloth
ing, but Cccile was away again bat
tllHs with tEc SI.lCNS, WHICH almost
ovcrpowcrcd her. The flames were
licking their way toward Mrs New
toms room. Cccilc saw this, and
brcathcd prayer for help. She fairly
flew down the stairs, and reached the
door just one cruel tongue of fire
durtcd across the top of it.
She found Mrs. Newton in 4 heavy
stupor, and all her cffcrts 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. lie promptly
relieved her of her burden. and in an
instant had led tho way to safety.
Mr.. Grey and his men. having but
Just reached the scene, We're preparing
to fight the fire, and after taking in
this fact, Cccile's courage and strength
gave way, and she slipped down at
Jacks feet.
Mrs. Grey now came hurryinE up,
and together she and Jack half-dragGed,
half-c;rried the two helpless ones to
her home. a doctor was sent for, and
simple application of rcstorativcs
aroused Mrs. Newton, who listened
with tears to the story OF Cccile'S hero
ism. Turning to Jack she said, simply
and humbly: 81 misjudgcd her. For
give me-
jacks face frightened, but he con-
tinued his restless walk before t he door
of the room where Cecile lay.
Just as the morning dnwncd she
opened her eyes and asked: us Jack
safe?''
Then she fell asleep with Il 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 Il month
she had recovered sufficiently to take "a
short drive, and Jack took her to sec
the ruins.
Livery building on the place had been
burned to the ground.
Il am glad of it, said Jack. II in
tend to build a new house, to which !
shall DC proud to take my wife. Will
you come, Cecilc?'
''What will your mother say?'' she
while her eyes gave him the answer he
craved.
''She is more than anxious to well
come you n daughtcr.''
So it was settled; and Mrs. Newton,
as she looks at her daughter Cecilc's
hands. says: ''Thcy are the most beau
tiful hands in the world to me, if they
are SCARED and blackcned''
And the feud of the west pasture is
at an end.
Jack and his wife arc very happy.
They are talking of another picnic to
take the place of the one planned Il
year ago, and it is to be held in the
west pasture. -Dral<cs Magazine.
What Could 1iave Allied Her?
The human body is {: very delicate
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