



Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks and the
Online Distributed Proofreading Team.










[Illustration: "HE MAY GET LOST IN THE STORM."]

The Works of E. P. Roe

VOLUME FIVE

BARRIERS BURNED AWAY

ILLUSTRATED



NEW YORK

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington

COPYRIGHT, 1882

COPYRIGHT, 1885

COPYRIGHT, 1892

COPYRIGHT, 1900,




This Book

IS REVERENTLY DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF MY MOTHER




PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

I shall say but few words in regard to this first child of my
imagination.

About one year ago our hearts were in deepest sympathy with our
fellow-citizens of Chicago, and it occurred to me that their losses,
sufferings, and fortitude might teach lessons after the echoes of the
appalling event had died away in the press; and that even the lurid
and destructive flames might reveal with greater vividness the need
and value of Christian faith.

I spent some days among the smouldering ruins, and then began the
following simple story, which has grown into larger proportions than
I at first intended. But comparatively a small part of the narrative
is occupied with the fire, for its scenes are beyond description, and
too strange and terrible to be dwelt upon. Therefore the thread of my
story is carried rapidly through that period of unparalleled excitement
and disaster.

Nearly all the scenes introduced are historical, and are employed to
give their terrible emphasis to that which is equally true in the
serenest and securest times.

E. P. R.




CONTENTS

CHAPTER I
LOVE UNKNOWN

CHAPTER II
LOVE KNOWN

CHAPTER III
LAUNCHED

CHAPTER IV
COLD WATER

CHAPTER V
A HORNET'S NEST

CHAPTER VI
"STARVE THEN!"

CHAPTER VII
A GOOD SAMARITAN

CHAPTER VIII
YAHCOB BUNK

CHAPTER IX
LAND AT LAST
CHAPTER X
THE NEW BROOM

CHAPTER XI
TOO MUCH ALIKE

CHAPTER XII
BLUE BLOOD

CHAPTER XIII
VERY COLD

CHAPTER XIV
SHE SPEAKS TO HIM

CHAPTER XV
PROMOTED

CHAPTER XVI
JUST IN TIME

CHAPTER XVII
RESCUED

CHAPTER XVIII
MISS LUDOLPH MAKES A DISCOVERY

CHAPTER XIX
WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH HIM?

CHAPTER XX
IS HE A GENTLEMAN?

CHAPTER XXI
CHRISTINE'S IDEA OF CHRISTIANS

CHAPTER XXII
EQUAL TO AN EMERGENCY

CHAPTER XXIII
THE REVELATION

CHAPTER XXIV
NIGHT THOUGHTS
CHAPTER XXV
DARKNESS
CHAPTER XXVI
MISS LUDOLPH COMMITS A THEFT

CHAPTER XXVII
A MISERABLE TRIUMPH

CHAPTER XXVIII
LIFE WITHOUT LOVE

CHAPTER XXIX
DENNIS'S LOVE PUT TO PRACTICAL USE

CHAPTER XXX
THE TWO HEIGHTS

CHAPTER XXXI
BEGUILED

CHAPTER XXXII
BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT

CHAPTER XXXIII
THE TWO PICTURES

CHAPTER XXXIV
REGRET

CHAPTER XXXV
REMORSE

CHAPTER XXXVI
AN APPARITION

CHAPTER XXXVII
IF HE KNEW!

CHAPTER XXXVIII
THE GATES OPEN

CHAPTER XXXIX
SUSIE WlNTHROP APPEARS AGAIN

CHAPTER XL
SUGGESTIVE PICTURES AND A PRIZE

CHAPTER XLI
FIRE! FIRE!

CHAPTER XLII
BARON LUDOLPH LEARNS THE TRUTH

CHAPTER XLIII
"CHRISTINE, AWAKE! FOR YOUR LIFE!"

CHAPTER XLIV
ON THE BEACH

CHAPTER XLV
"PRAYER IS MIGHTY." CHRISTINE A CHRISTIAN

CHAPTER XLVI
CHRISTINE'S GRAVE

CHAPTER XLVII
SUSIE WINTHROP

CHAPTER XLVIII
DR. ARTEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

CHAPTER XLIX
BILL CRONK'S TOAST

CHAPTER L
EVERY BARRIER BURNED AWAY




CHAPTER I

LOVE UNKNOWN


From its long sweep over the unbroken prairie a heavier blast than
usual shook the slight frame house. The windows rattled in the
casements, as if shivering in their dumb way in the December storm.
So open and defective was the dwelling in its construction, that eddying
currents of cold air found admittance at various points--in some
instances carrying with them particles of the fine, sharp, hail-like
snow that the gale was driving before it in blinding fury.

Seated at one of the windows, peering out into the gathering gloom of
the swiftly coming night, was a pale, faded woman with lustrous dark
eyes. An anxious light shone from them, as she tried in vain to catch
a glimpse of the darkening road that ran at a distance of about fifty
yards from the house. As the furious blast shook the frail tenement,
and circled round her in chilly currents from many a crack and crevice,
she gave a short, hacking cough, and drew a thin shawl closer about
her slight frame.

The unwonted violence of the wind had its effect upon another occupant
of the room. From a bed in the corner near the stove came a feeble,
hollow voice--"Wife!"

In a moment the woman was bending over the bed, and in a voice full
of patient tenderness answered, "Well, dear?"

"Has he come?"

"Not yet; but he MUST be here soon."

The word MUST was emphasized in such a way as to mean doubt rather
than certainty, as if trying to assure her own mind of a matter about
which painful misgivings could not be banished. The quick ear of the
sick man caught the tone, and in a querulous voice he said, "Oh! if
he should not get here in time, it would be the last bitter drop in
my cup, now full and running over."

"Dear husband, if human strength and love can accomplish it, he will
be here soon. But the storm is indeed frightful, and were the case
less urgent, I could almost wish he would not try to make his way
through it. But then we know what Dennis is; he never stops to consider
difficulties, but pushes right on; and if--if he doesn't--if it is
possible, he will be here before very long."

In spite of herself, the mother's heart showed its anxiety, and, too
late for remedy, she saw the effect upon her husband. He raised himself
in bed with sudden and unwonted strength. His eyes grew wild and almost
