Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1905-06-23
l$ Bound by a Spell $I

sileneed-he has hurled her over the
balusters.
Downs the stairs he springs. In the
hall he meets the two terrified servants
in their night dresses, who scream and
run back. Quick as lightning he shoots
back the ponderous bolts Of the door,
and the next moment is flying along the
graveled drive, through the iron gates
and out into the highway, where he has
left his horse, tied to a tree One bound
and he is in the saddle, barefooted and
bareheaded. One look behind-a red
glare is shining through the windows
and away he dashes through the dark
ness, and the rain, and the bowling wind.
On, on, over the open common, where
the tempest RACES in unresisted fury
then under the swaying, groaning trees,
plunging into yet deeper darkness. Down,
down, down-the speed redoubles, he is
rapidly descending, but whither2 Inn
penetrable by sight as a wall of iron is
the black gulf before him. He pulls the
rein with all his strength but down,
down, down, still gallops the horse with
awful rapidity. Crash! a low, project
ing branch has caught him across the
forehead, and dashes him from the ami
mails back; there is a heavy plash, and
then a rushing sound-the horse is
breasting the water; another moment, he
is scrambling up the opposite bank,
riderless.
Within the Manor House the flames
are spreading with frightful rapidity.
Judith lies in a motionless heap, and
two hapless beings arc locked within
their rooms; upon the chamber above,
the fire has already seized; upon the one
below 1t is rapidly advancing.
The fire Is consuming one side Of
Clara's room-it has fastened upon the
stairs-no one can mount them. Who
can save her now?
Flames dart above the roof, and
through the windows, and up into the
black sky rise volumes OF lurid smoke,
chasing away the darkness and illuminat-
ing every object around with a fearful
radiance,
What new figure Is this come upon the
scene2 A man who seems to have arisen
from the bowels Of the earth. He looks
strange and bewildered. The women
catch sight Of him, and, shrieking with a
new terror, fly away and cover upon
the sodden earth, under the dripping
branch of a tree. he sees an arm grasp
ing at window frame. He goes to him.
Unlock the door-the key is outside!"
cries a frantic voice within.
The stranger Observation-Disclosures
through the hall door, which stands
wide open. The flames rolling down the
stairs show him the key. He turns it.
As he does so, he sees a senseless woman
huddled at his feet He does not recog-
nize her, but quick as lightning he raises
her In his arms and bears her safely
out into the air, followed by Silas.
Only Just in time-the flames are al
ready licking the spot she laid upon.
"Is it Clara2' cries SiIas, frantically.
They turn over the body and disclose
the death-like face Of Judith.
where is she-oh. heaven, where is
she? She has persisted in the hamesw
exclaimed Silas.
A wild, piercing cry Of agony rises
above the roar of the elements. They
raise their eyes. Standing on the ex-
treme edge Of the window sill, with out
stretched arms, the flames darling
around her. is Clara.
A frightful scream bursts from Silas'
lips; but his companion grasps his
hands, drags him under the window, and
stretching out both their arms, shouts
to her to jump. Just In time-the flames
cling to her dress as she falls.
At that moment a carriage tears up
the drive-tvo policemen spring from
the box, and an old gentleman jumps out,
and falls into the group,