Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-01-10
continued from lSt page.

hall without. Shrieks and groans were
now heard on every hand, mingled, di.
rectly, with the hoarse shouts Of fremen
outside, trying to enforce order. Sever
al poor creatures, maddened by fear,
threw themselves over the balcony
into the parquet below. Shuddering
and faint, l sank back into my seat,
while Clara covered her face with her
hands.
At this instant. a strong arm was
placed around her waist, and she was
lifted from her seat, while my brothers
calm voice sounded in my ears.
Follow me, Ella he said, the stairs
are not on fire, and the crowd will soon
be out of the way And then he whis-
pered to Glare, as he bore her by main
force in his arms: take courage,
Clara-dear Clara" s
How hot it was My forehead and
cheeks were smarting with the heat.
Showers of sparks fell all around US.
Breathing was almost impossible for
the smoke. We reach the hall at last.
But before we could get to the stair
case, crash was heard, and the stair.
way, freighted with its burden OF
human beings, sank out of sight.
'Merciful heaven, CALCULATED Clara,
struggling to her feet, from his arms,
in her mortal terror, there is no hope
now
John threw an arm, now, around
each of US, and hurried US along the
corridor.
Courage he said. There is one
chance left. Thank heaven, l know
every nook and corner Of this building
There is a window on this floor, over
there 10 the left. If We can but reach
that, we are safe.'
The smoke was even more suttocatlng
than before. As we rushed past the
last door that led from the balcony in
to the passage way, Clara glanced into
the interior of the theatre, and seeing
the lurid mass of flame and binding
light, said. trembling from head to
foot:
Icannot 60 any further. The heat
is too intolerable. Oh, if it were any
death but this! l could be Drawer
then
John sprang to the door and closed
it. Then he hurried US around pro-
Jecting pillar of the wall. Suddenly
we beheld the window.
It was but the work Of an instant to
force the shutters apart. Then John
shouted to the crowd below.
Thank Cod he cried, they see US.
If that door behind US will only hold
out against the flames until help comes.
They are bringing ladders. Come
closer, girls: you can breathe easier by
the window. Stoop down, the air is
tresher. How the smoke smothers one.
The fremen have brought ladders.
Take courage, Ciara-Ella.'
In a few moments, a firemens hat
appeared above the window sill, and a
man held out his hands to Clara. But
she shrank back and chung to my
brother.
I will not leave until you do, she
cried. No, will not stir without you.
John opened his arms, and folded
Clara close to his heart. Then | saw
him stoop until his lips met hers.
The fireman looked at them curious.
ly, and then gave prolonged whistle
of establishment, evidently thinking it
q queer time to be making love. lie
turned to me. "Come, he said and
taking me in his great brawny arms,
in a moment more we were landed
safely in the midst Of the anxious, sym.
pathetic crowd below.
A deafenlng shout rent the air as he
came down the ladder, second time,
and placed Clara at my side, John hav.
ing insisted on her preceding him.
How we watched that open window
then. Again the fireman appeared, but
the figure with him was that Of
woman.
Where is your brother ? asked Clara,
hoarsely, as the window was illumined
with a sudden flash, as the flames burst
from the auditorium into the corridor.
Tnen, overcome by the anxiety and
the shock of the new terror, l did what
the majority of women do in similar
cases: l tainted.
When l recovered my consciousness,
Twas lying in my own room, with my
father and mother sitting by the side
Of the bed.
where's John ? was my first ques-
ton.
Here is what there is left of him.
answered nv brother; and there he