Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1905-06-24
3 Bound by a Spen S|

silenced-he has hurled her Ger the
balusters.
Down the stairs he springs. n the
hall he meets the two terrified seVnnts
in their night dresses, who screar ana
run back. Quick as lightning he Snoots
back the ponderous bolts of the door,
and the next moment is flying alon Tue
graveled drive, through the iron tales
and out into the highway, where he nus
left his horse, tied to a tree. One boihu
and he is in the saddle, barefooted ma
bareheaded. One look behind-a ed
glare Is shining through the windows
and away he dashes through the dari-
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 grooming trees,
plunging into yet deeper darkness Down,
down, down-the speed redouhles, he is
rapidly descending, but whther2 I'M
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 q 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 are locked within
bpi nho ~
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, md
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 q fearful
radiance.
What new figure Is this come upon the
scene1 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
new terror, fly away and cover upon
the sodden earth, under the dripping
branch of a tree, He sees an arm grasp
ing at a window frame. He goes to him.
Unlock the door-the key is outside!"
cries a frantic voice within.
The stranger comprehends-dash
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 1t Clara?" cries Silas, 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 flames"
exclaimed Silas,
A Wild piercing cry Of agony rises
above the roar of the elements. They
raise their eyes Standing on the ex-
IRENE 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-two policemen spring from
the box, and an old gentleman jumps out
and falls into the group.