Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1905-06-23
CHAPTER xxx.-CContinued.)


dor, In a chamber more somber and
gloomy than any we have visited, was
Judith. She is lying back listlessly, in
an easy chair, with her red rair loosely
falling around her pallid, worn face
The tears roll down her cheeks, at in
teTyals, In large, heavy drops. She is
weeping over the ashes of love, over
wrecked hopes, and a lost life. Heavily
over her broods the spirit Of the night,
boding of death.
AS the night advances, the clouds
have 1t all their own way, yelling the
sky with profound darkness; and the
winds wax fercer. The air is filed with
the alternate shrieks, and sobs of terri
fed nature. There is heavy rain, with
which the monster sports, dashing it, and
whirling 1t, and scattering 1t in gusts,
and eddies, and masses.
Heavy footsteps upon the carriage
drive; but the tempest absorbs every
sound into itself Over the gravel,
which stands out lightly from the black
ness that encompasses It, moves
large, dark, numbering object. 1t is a
man, bearing another, seemingly sense
less, upon his back. Slowly, staggering
and swaying at times under the weight
door. There he lays down his burden,
and seems to ponder for a moment. Then
he walks cautiously round the house,
looking up at all the windows There
Is a faint light in two, but seemingly
emitted only by night tapers. All seem
to be sleeping.
He cautiously tries the windows upon
the ground floor. ALI were securely fast
IN oA h. kv,4I
was q smaller window, like that Of a
pantry. With his diamond ring he cut
out one Of the panes Of glass, put his
arm through the cavity and with some
difficulty succeeded in reaching the fast
ening that secured the sash. He raised
the window and crept through. He took
a lantern and some matches from his
pocket and struck light.
1t was not a pantry he was In, but a
small bedroom. Passing out at the door,
he found himself In the servants offices.
He took off his boots and crept noise
lessly along the passage, until he reached
the corridor He halted at Silas Ours
tons door and listened, with his ear
to the keyhole. All seemed quiet
he assembled the stairs. As he reach
ed the first corridor he became sensible
OF a strong, pungent odor and a mlsti-.
ness In the air, like smoke. He looked
about him for some cause and crept fur
Their along the corridor. Beneath the
door, and through the keyhole Of one
Of the rooms, shone a red glow.
Great heavensl had accident anticlpat-
ed his intention3 Was this hre2 He
turned the handle Of the door-it was
not locked. His doubts were solved in
an instant A body Of hot, binding
smoke rushed into his face, nearly over
powering him. The room was in flames!
Hanging acress the arm Of a chair was
the body OF man, either dead or in
sensible. Lost and awe-stricken, Rod
well stood helpless and transhxed, gaz-
ing upon the awful sight.
At that moment Judith, hurrying out
OF her room, appeared upon the scene.
Miles away, carriage containing an
old gentleman IL speeding furiously along
the Essex road. Upon the box are two
policemen
On through the pelting rain and the
rushing wind, beneath the shadows OF
overhanging trees and along the open
road, the soaked, blinded driver, scarce
~ able to see yard before him, gallops
the horses.
Look, lOoklV cries a policeman, sud
denly pointing ahead.
There Is a glare rising up IN the black
sky--a wavering, red glare, that bright
ems and fades, fades and brightens.
The old gentleman within, who, spite
of the storm, Is continually putting his
head out Of the window to see what
progress is being made, sees it, too.
Faster, faster, for heavens sake" he
cries. do you not see that fre7 1t
must be the Manor House; there is no
other house near"
What is that dark object advancing
so swiftly towards them7 A horse, gal
Looping furiously, darts past like an ar
row, and is lost in the darkness.
What is that2" cries the old gentle
man, looking out of the window again.
But only the wind hears his voice.
The glare in the sky grows stronger,
nearer. Up rise showers of sparks, and
up rolls the red smoke and faster and
faster speed the horses, until they seem
running a race with the wind, match
ing themselves against the tempest.
Judith and Rodwell face one another
but only for an instant, With cry
of agony, she rushes towards her faith
er. The fire surrounds him now, screen |
ing him from all human help. The flames !
and smoke drive her back with their |
scorching breath. With wild fury, she |
turns upon Rodwell. Recovered from
his momentary panic, he is flying; hut
as he reaches the head of the stairs, she |
is upon him, with the grip of tigress,
and calling wildly for help.
He struggles fercely. twines his fin
gers in her long hair, and with the |
other hand rains heavy blows upon her
head and face; but still she holds on,
never ceasing her wild cries for help.
Other cries begin to mingle with hers,
and the sounds Of battering at doors.