The Newtown bee., 1900-07-27

bling girls overhead, he had reached ant
swung himself into that upper room.
Then he skillfully and quickly mad,
fast the rope, knotted it about a youns
girl below her armpits and quickly
lowered her to safety.
Inc freed rope was then rapidly hauled
up, and another and yet another, was sue
cessfully let down. There were sever
girls, to save. and the last one wal
| lowered only Just in time, for the doors
mad given way. and great burst Of
flame swept forward, almost binding
Malcolm and scorching his brow and
hair. he had no time to pause tori ever
and instant's breath. OUTPUT upon the
rope he swung himself, and he was more
than half way down when the flames
leaped through the upper window and
severed the rope, and despite the score OF
eager but bungling hands appraised to
catch him, Malcolm fell heavily to the
ground.
They carried him-as he babe them-to
the nearest physician's house. And an
!! hour later, with his burns dressed,
his wounded hands and sprained ankle
bandaged and his broken arm In q sling,
he started back for the village in the
Jolting market cart with Farmer Giles.
By this time Malcolm's f ock had grown
to love him. His really brilliant gifts
were neither appreciated nor suspected,
but his people had quickly recognized his
sterling qualities and the goodness of his
heart. And when the news of what he
had done that day had spread abroad
as it did with astonishing quickness,
though Malcolm had asked Giles to say
nothing about it-they fairly worshiped
him.
1t was early twilight just 4S hours at.
ter their wounded hero's return, and NAL
colin lay YEARLY upon the couch in his
quiet study.
For these two days he had been fairly
besieged by visitors, who had come to see
him and fuss oyer his hurts with Affection
ate solicitude. But tonight he felt so
weak and utterly exhausted, his head
was aching and his wounded hands were
paining him so severely, that he had
begged kind old Mrs Coles, in whose
house he lived, to explain to any of his
people who might come that he did not
feel able to see any one that evening.
His study was fair-szed room on the
ground floor, with door that opened
out at the side on the garden path. The
night was warm and both door and wiu-
dows stood open wide. The lamp had
not been lit.
Suddenly Malcolm opened bis eyes with
the feeling upon him thas he was no long
er alone. And Understanding out black
against the gray uncertain twilight-he
saw tall, fantastic figure peering stealth.
lily in at the open door.
For moment he wondered DULY why
Priscilla Prindle should have come
eavesdropping-there. Then, as With |
noiseless steps she entered the room, be
sat up and spoke her name, believing |
that she thought herself alone, and un-
willing to lie concealed and watch her
vagaries.
DNs AAAAASAA0SOiy AC nAC " eA0o sAo Aoo
already seen him, for she advanced
through the dimness straight to his couch
md bent over him.
With light and rapid touch which he
could hardly feel she passed her thin fin.
.ers over his bandaged head, his hands,
lis arm,-as if to convince herself that
What she had evidently heard was really
rue.
Then she dropped before him on her
;nees and spoke earnestly and with no
retense at madness now.
II told you once" she said, THAT be- {
eved you wouldn't lift finger to help a
wing soul-without pay. want to take
hat all back now,-I want you to for
i've me for having said it of you" Il
II have nothing to forgive ~ said NAL
ohm, note of gladness in his voice,
And if have won your confidence, I t
m more glad than can say!"
She said no more, but rose swiftly a
nd turned away.
"Priscilla :" Malcolm had staggered to Il
is feet and she paused and half turned n
ack. She could see his white face in g
Istinctly through the gathering gloom, a
lille hers was hidden from him by the Il
aadow. "Can not help you-in some J
ay?" He spoke with intense earnest
ess. 81 beg you to trust me. Is there y