Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-10-29
CHATTER xxx

but on eacn separate OCCASION ne IVhl'
himself impelled forward.
AT least l win not enter when | reacl
khere. Let me look upon the old mill onc'
again, and perhaps this mad fancy OF
my part will be satisfied. What it is
know not, but / cannot resist 1t.
He finished his words with startled
cry, for his eyes had suddenly caught
glow of light through the forest trees.
1T cannot be the moon rising, for, un
less / have lost my bearings, / am head
ing toward the west 1t is the old mil
on fire! What if she should be LOST!
He started on a wild run, leaping over
holes and logs as though they were almost
nothing, and rapidly nearing the blazing
MILL which with every passing minute
seemed to become more and more the vie
tim of the flames.
Now he seemed to understand the sub
tie power that had drawn him on, and
in his heart he prayed, oh, so earnestly
that lie might yet be in time to save his
darling
All thoughts of bitterness toward her
had been swept from his heart as if by
ma 1c He had the proofs of his inno-
rence but his words about throwing her
love from him were forgotten.
On he dashed. 1t seemed as though
he would never get there, and the old mill
was now a perfect pyramid of flames,
roaring aud leaping upward as though IN
fiendsh glee over the destruction Of the
haunted building
The woods were now lighted up, and he
could see his way better so that he made
better time, but his heart was full Of a
he
late.
Finally. like a mad deer, he sprang
from among the trees and rushed into
the open space. A terrible scene, full Of
awful grandeur. was before him. but he
Needed not its sublime splendor. The
one thought before his mind was the
narrowing uncertainty in regard TO Carol.
Was she safe? What il she were in that
abyss OF fame?
Almost mad at the bare thought, be
rushed frantically forward. A scream
reached his ear--the scream of woman
and for the first time he noticed a fe-
male figure close to the burning mill The
glare and smoke kept him from recog-
nizing her, and, with his heart leaping for
joy, he bounded toward the woman, who
was wringing her hands wildly. When
he reached her side he saw that it was
Mrs. Richmond, not Carol.
Several other forms had darted from
the woods, and were hurrying toward the
spot where the lady stood The leading
one he recognized as Lawrence Rich
mond. but beyond that he did not spare
the time to look.
"Carol-where is SheF" he cried
There was not second to lose. The
poor lady could not speak, but, raising
Der hand. she pointed to the blazing build
ing. II was enough.
Heaven help mew fell from his shut
teeth.
Then, braeing himself like a giant pre-
pairing for a mighty battle. he rushed for
ward, hurting himself through the bar
rier of fierce flames that crossed thaii
angry tongues before the doorway.
He found the stairs more from instin 4
than sight, as the place was full Of
smoke Up he went with great leaps. Al
the top he could see nothing, but, cropping
his way along. he cried aloud
Carol. oh, Carol. my darling, where
are your
Oh, the bitterness in his voice. L
spoke Of heart breaking, raeking pain, bu
there came no answer save the roarin.
and cracking Of the flames as they fec
upon the dry timbers~of the old mill.
He CROPPED his way along 4 passage an
Ill he came to door. 1t refused to rive
way at his touch, and. rendered desperate
by the situation, he raised his foot ant
sent it down with a crash.
Entering. he found the interior full o
smoke. and yet ii was more bearahle thar
out in the hall. because of the closed door
A slender figure, arose and staggered 10
ward him. With q cry he held out hi
arms for her.
Carol. my love, my rfe. thank HEAVIER
you are alivev' he cried, as he folded he
in his arms and crushed her to his heart
"You-forgive me--Roger-I loved yo1
I believe in you now" the poor cir
gasped
Hush, darling, heaven will forgive u
5oth. l have forgotten an-everythin
,ut that / love you better than the Who'll
world, AS proof of it, witness me her
to save or die with you"
He lad shut the door in order to kee
out the dense volume OF smoke until l.
was ready for the final plunge, and, afte
hastily wrapping several blankets abou
The precious form Of the girl who wa
clad only In a loose wrapper Of her mott
cr's that she had thrown about her whe
first awakened by the dense smoke h
opened the door.
The hall and stairway were still full {
smoke. but he would no longer have 1
grope his way along either. for the rudd
flames. dancing and forking out their di;
bolical red tongues, as though in iendis
glee. lighted up both.
How was ne ever going to run IL
gauntlet with that precious burden in h
arms? Was it possible to escape by Il
Window One glance in that directjo
told him that such a thing could hardly
accomplished; in fact, that it was imposs
bic for the fire was already glaring
through the glass with evil eyes.
Drawing in a long breath. and pressil
Carol still closer to him. for he felt tn
by this baptism Of fire she was given
him for all time and eternity. Rog
dashed boldly into the flames and dow
the stairs.
Had he been alone he would have tax,
a flying leap to the bottom, and very pro
ably have come ont almost unscathed. b
now his progress was much slower. a.
he received many flash from the tongu
of flame that darted out this way u
that at
Heaven knows how he passed thron
that fiery ordean The consciousness ii
H. held in his arms all that made |
dear to him gave him additional coura
and strength.
Several times he heard what he fame
were the voices of men, hoarse ana To-
accompanied with rapid blows, but
IL,
ing aware Of the fact that two NOR
-opls tVar. foeEal in a vnnre, near hy 9