Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-01-27

water from the floor above; he fought
like fiend. Suddenly memory Of the
barricades rose clear and sharp within
him as he had not remembered them
for years. The spirit Of war swelled
like trumpet's note within the little
man, and his soul responded to its own
cry for the salvation Of lies femmes ct
les enfants."
1t was a sight to see the alien, old
BlOssy, in the weird growing light, his
life in his hand, his clothes burning
upon him, his face scorched and smoke
blackened, fighting at the close quar-
ters Of death struggle an enemy
that was not his enemy, gaining vic
tory that did not save him.
The joyous light was pouring over
the summer earth in delicate, elating
wavelets when the last flame fickered
out, and Blossier fell amid the cinders
as If he, too. were gone.
The crying women, one white, one
black, bent over him. The old negress
| started to lift him. but her mistress
| caught her arm.
Amt 'Cindy." she said. take his
| feet" And she pushed the servant
aside and stopped herself over the
| ghastly face.
Miss Jane" said the other. II kin
tote him by m'se'f. You's too trem-
bly,
"l'll help tote this man into my house
myself. Ant 'Cil:dy" was Jane Nc.
Grath's answer. and together they lift
ed their burden.
Into the spare room" said she in
the hall Her voice WIS clear and
hard. while ler tears. falling lie t, LET
rain on ElosS.yr'' face. wsre making
little white hlJts and strta!,s there
III the beginning OF the conflict Mrs.
McGrath had set her five-year-old
daughter OH the gravel wall; by the
front gate. cut of harms way. and told
her to stay there. There she still sat,
crying Justify.
"Go over after Miss Mary Bell
Croft" Miss Jane now commanded
Ant 'Cindy. ''and take Janey with
you and leave her there. The children
II look after her awhile"
AS she spoke she was cutting his
clothes away from Blossier. His arms
seemed badly burned. She saw this
had better be done before he became
conscious
"DO you know the news" called
Mrs. Pembroke to Mrs. Kitchens
across the way, hurrying out to the
front gate. while her breakfast was be-
ing put on the table. The town came
within an ace Of burning to the ground,
lock, stock and barrel, last night. Jane
McGrath's house was atire, and old
Blossy-Mr. Blossy, reckon l feel like
calling him today-put it out. and he
got burnt mighty bad. Old Ant 'Cindy
came over hours ago to fetch Mary
Bell to come help Jane fix him. They
amt got no idea how 1t caught The
children, Ant 'Cindy's grandchildren.
and little Janey had been pillng up
some rubbish 'galnst the wall, making
a playhouse. and that was where the
fire begun. You never can tell what
children are up to- Like as not they'd
been trying to roast corn or something.
There was right smart south wind
blowing early, and II James house had
got fairly caught No; 'Cindy said
they didn't think Blossy was burnt
dangerous. Yes; you're right. He is
lucky to be in James hands. Jane amt
smart, but she's mighty clever. It's
wonder l didn't see the whole thing. l
was up and down all over the house
most Of the night, and heard that
poor thing scraping and bomming on
that there big fiddle Of his all over the
town. Yes; it was kind Of company,
but l lay down bout daybreak and got
to snoozing after while. Mary and lit
tie Mary stayed mighty still. l never
heard 'em up and down none after II
o'clock. but Mary says she never slept
two hours. But. I tell you. a man
never has the wife that III worry over
him like his mother. / feel like Ill
walk to Tullahoma myself today II
can't find out something bout Jimmy
any other way" And Miss Catherine
wiped her eyes as she turned toward
the house, calling, Yes: I'm coming"
In answer to second shrill warning
that breakfast was waiting and leav-
ing Mrs. Kitchens still struggling to
get In her account Of how she spent
the night.
This was about as much impression
as the incident of the fire made any.
where-the town had come near burn.
ing down, but 1t hadn't. Old Blossy
had saved 1t. There was something
little embarrassing about this. 1t made
the usual tone about him seem just at
the time ungracious. Yet what other
tone was there to take.
Anyhow Jane McGrath was taking
care Of him, and If she wanted help
she knew where to ask for 1t, and
when were the men coming home from
Tulla homa, and how were things with
them?
Yes: It was well for Blossier that 1t
was Jane McGrath's house he had
saved: It was well that it was on her,
and not another, fell most directly the
debt of gratitude which the whole vii
lage owed him, but which the village
was too stupid and insensible, too pre-
occupied and too selfish, to realize ana
acknowledge. Jane McGrath was ac'
counted in Strathboro q particularly
dull woman. Strathboro cared good
deal for what 1t called smartness ana
carefully classified all examples there
of as either bright or deep, but Jane
McGrath, whom they had known all
her life. was, as was well known, not
smart. neither bright nor deep, though
she was clever-that is, good natured'
kindly. easy to get on with. Jane was
more than good natured; she was good
good with that positive quality OF
character that cheapens everything
else in this world by comparison-and
she was the furthest thing In the world
from q fool; she was wise woman.
ITO BE CONTINUED
The Woes of Cupid.
n ntvrt