The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-05-22

and watched the flames burst out of the
windows of our beautiful home.
LET it burn" he said. 1T is fully in
sured, and there's no use of making an
unnecessary fuss"
Suddenly heard Rutherford's voice
beside me: "Where is Violet, your
cousin ?"
1 looked quickly around. II do not
konw. thought saw her moment
ago"
"She is not here. No one knows
where she is! My God! if she is still in
that housed"
He sprang forward, but caught him
by the arm. do not go back there!"
entreated. ".You will not find her; you
will only lose your life. l beg you,
pray you, do not CO." He broke from
my grasp, and, before any of the others
had guessed his purpose, he had dashed
through the smoking doorway and dis
appeared.
Afterwards learned what happened.
1t seems he started up the front stair
way, only to be driven back by flames
and sitting smoke. Then remember
ing the steep back stairs up which the
boys had often taken him to other
rooms, he rapidly CROPPED his way
thither, calling my cousin by her name.
The smoke was dense and binding and
he could not see. 81 am here" came vi
Diets stified cry, ''but cannot carry it
any further! Take it, beg you, will
follow. With my hand on your shout
der am safe. Don't turn back for me.
l am not hurt. Oh, you are so kind, so
kfnd!"
The engines came at last, the firemen
dashed in, and streams of water were
beginning to pour into the seething
mass Of flame. It seemed an eternity
since Rutherford had passed through
that doorway when, at last, he reap
peared, a strange, disheveled being
now. with burden, wrapped in heavy
shasgls, clasped to his breast. Was it
Tio;et? No, for she was beside him,
her gray gown strangely blaskened and
ma,red, and she was looking up at him
in gratitude and joy.
Our friends hospitality took us in
let and 1 found shelter beneath
john Rutherford's fathers roof. Vio-
let and l were given room together
and there l learned the contents of
that mysterious bundle, which she
frankly avowed she had gone back and
risked her life land hist to save.
In the morning / was the earliest
down. John rutherford was the next,
and, greeting me, he cast swift glance
through the room. sand your cousin?"
he said. II hope she is none the worse
for her last nights adventure?"
"She is perfectly WELL" l answered.
coldly, "but have no patience with
her."
"And why, may ask?" said he.
do you know what it was she went
back to save? Why, then. she imperiled
your life-not to speak of her own
Just to rescue some bits of silk and
velvet and lace-the tools of her tradeI"
He looked at me gravely; then his
face lighted suddenly. Violet had en-
tered the room. She went up to him
without embarrassment and held out
her hand. "I have not thanked you yet
for what you did for me last night"
she said. THE bits of silk and lace,
which could not have saved without
your help. are very costly; they belong,
not to me. but to my customers, and
they were not insured. Had they been
destroyed. could never have replaced
them, you see; felt responsible, and
that my honor was at stake"
-Ridiculousi" cried, hoping that
Rutherford would take my side at last
and condemn her folly.
They were not worth the risk yon