Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1903-03-05

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That's one Of your attractions"
drawled Dick. when woman hasn't
any sense, it's really a drawing card
in these days. She's novelty, you
know. Women are so awfully wise
and clever that they put fellow to
the blush.'
They were sitting on the green grass
within a fragrant bower of pearl and
rose. Something like dewdrops gath
cred in the girls forgetmenot eyes.
whats the matter, sweetheart
"Dick, it's the name and the fitness
Of the name. 1t seems so absurd to
care about it. But l do. When / was
little, it seems to me they might have
cared enough about me to let me keep
the sweet name my mother gave me.
suppose they thought it was a waste
of time on me to say Priscilla If
had been their own child, they'd never
have called me Silly. And to think it'll
stick to me all my life!'
"If it were your last name, now,"
said Dick, 81 could change it for YOU
Don't be silly!''
you're that when you laugh at my
lovemaking. It's poor, but honest"
"Dick, do you think, like all the rest,
that sensible talk is wasted on me? Do
you, Dick? Oh, what would l not give
to be a wise, clever woman with a dig
nilied name! Nobody in the world will
ever take me seriously as long as | am
called Silly!"
'I'll take you seriously if you'll let
me; take you and never let you CO."
''Dick, would you be willing-you,
varsity man-to have a wife called
Silly? You wouldn't can see it in
your eyes. oh, to do something very
wise and learnedl I'd die happyw
For heavens sake" cried Dick in
alarm. don't do anything wise and
learnedr'
"She never has a serious thought,
that girl" her aunt remarked. "If her
name don't fit her to a Tp'
She was coming up the walk, her
arms full Of apple blossoms, her hat
dangling at her side, singing one of the
ragtime tunes with which she scandal
lied the town.
"She do seem to be light headed" OBJ
served her uncle, Samuel Morris. "But,
then, she's a good hearted thing"
She could not remember her parents.
They had died when she was so little.
She seemed to be sort of accident in
her uncle and aunts family, rather
burdensome and unpleasant one, which
by Gods grace they must put up with.
They lived in an old, old house on the
outskirts Of quaint, rambling old vii
lage. 1t was set about with orchards
where many birds loved to nest. Silly,
when she might have been embroider
ing herself petticoat, making crazy
quilt or doing some other sensible
thing, preferred to stay out in the or
chards with the birds.
Mr.. Samuel Morris dreamed that a
burglar was pressing pillow down
over his face. He tried to cry out, but
could not. He heard a great banging
at the door and voice calling:
"Uncle, unclew
Somebody is killing poor Silly" he
thought, but he could not move.
Then some one was pulling him out
of bed. There were smoke and a CLEAN
of shooting flames. Something wet was
slapped over his face. He was being |
dragged over the floor and down the |
steps by one who painted hard. A voice |
-Silly's-was screaming:
"Help me save uncle! Somebody go |
back for aunt! l couldn't find herr
''No usew voices cried back. "Come |
out quick! The house is about to fall |
inp
'I'll save her or I'll die trying! Take
Dncler'
They told him afterward, the few |
neighbors who had seen the fire after |
1t was well under way and had come to |
help If they could, that as she went |
back the steps fell down behind her. |
She had jerked the wet blanket from
around him and thrown it about her
self
How she found her aunt in that
smoke filed house, with the roar and
singing of the flames in her ears, the
flash of fire in her eyes, she never |
could tell. But find her she did, lying
insensible on the floor. She jerked the |
sheets from n bed, tore them into
strips. tied these together and bound
ing as she did so:
"Ah, how can / lift her and lower
her from the window without killing
herr
But she did it, this wise, strong young
Silly, who looked to those below like
goddess Of the flames. Younger and
more daring help had come. a ladder
reaching part way up was against the
uncertain walls. Dick was climbing it.
He received her burden as she lowered
IL and passed 1t on to those below. Then
he held out his arms.
"Come, beloved" he said. "Come
quicklyw
She had fastened one end Of the rope
about her waist, the other about the
bedpost. She was looking down.
Gomez Dick called again. She climb
ed out Of the window and began to de-
sccnd hand over hand. Her senses
seemed leaving her she let 20.
When she came TO herself, she was
lying on a big white bed i'm the village
parsonage. People were talking,
"She had more sense than any Of us;
never lost her head; knew just what
to do"
"And she's bravel Think of going
back into that house with the steps
falling behind her"
Yes" The pastor was speaking
slowly and ponderously. "She's our
village heroine, is Priscilla"
Through the door the voice of the
rich man of the village rang out:
81 am going to name the new library
I'm giving this village for her"
"S-shw The village doctor was
speaking. 1--WE must have quiet now.