The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-10-30

lew OPoIs then Tue steamer ana nook and
ladder few BY like wbirlwind. On and
on galloped the excited horses urged by
their drivers. and on and on hurried the
painting children after them.
/ Now they are turning corner.
They have gone int our alley" shouted
one small urcnln, alive at once to the i'm
portance of the fact.
Soon the painting thronR Of children fol-
lowing the crowd of older persons turoed
the COZ ner Of the street, but the engines had
already stopped.
Donnie followed with her eye the stream
of water that was already pouring out of
he nozzle OF the hose in the hands Of a
sturdy fireman.
''Its our house. abe gasped.
The occupants OF the house we're gathered
in 3 frightened group on the sidewalk in
front Ct the house, from whose windows
pulled little Jets OF smoke that grew larger
every moment.
Orly q second they stood thus
Suddenly into their mid,t rushed child
ish figure, and in another minute Dennie
/ rad entered the turning building,
A fireman ran by shouting to the amazed
| woman.
"lv nat did you let her go fort Stop, her
| for Gods sake
/ Then a hushed whisper, started among
them, grew IN intensity, until the whole
vast crowd OUTSIDE knew the awful truth.
The baby's inside" passed In au awe
ruCk whisper from Que to another
! And Donnie had gone to try to save him
and atone for her neElec and carelessuess
| Not one soul IL all tat Gro Nd belleved
she would ever come out Of that fearful
| place alive.
II had needed but a moments reflection
TO cow nee Dennie that il was her duty to
save Baby, and she acted OF the conviction
| promptly. ostalrs she flew. blinded by the
ap1plya bat 81.
she passed, and almost melted with the
heat. Up aud until she has reached the
pmoEt floor; then she dashes hurriedIY into
he room. IL is filled with smoke, but
through the clouds she coz see the bed.
Baby lies there. fasc asleep; but it is the
stupor produced by the smoke; not the
sweat, ref eshing sleep she had left him In a
few hours ago.
She does not dare to ask il ne is alive.
She snatches up a blanket from the bed and
wraps him in it.
80, Baby, Baby p she means, "has Donnie
killed you.n
For moment she almost breaks down;
the smoke has nearly overpow cred her.
Then abe rallies, and catching him in Der
arms goes to the windo " and raises it. The
cool air revlves her, but the flames, famed
by the breeze, burst out just behind her.
She sees the tiremen in the street below, but
they are looking the other ~ay-thsy Dc
not see her. She grows desperate as the fire
creeps nearer and nearer her precious charge
and her childish 70 &c breaks out on the air
"Come quick and save Baby, =" she shrieks.
Her shrill voice lie heard and insta ltly 500
pairs Of eyes are fastened upon her, as with
breathless haste she people wait.
Q how hot IL is and how heavy Baby Is!
Her heart almost stops beating for an in
stant but presently FIRE laddie shouts:
"Hold IN a minute, little girl, and Well
be there
She is treasured and very thai kful whsn
they throw up long ladder against the
building.
1t is too short
Already the hungry flames crspt about
Denuie, scorching her sunny curls AID
licking with eager tongues the hem OF her
dress.
The ladder is spliced and this time ii
reaches the wind ". Two hrsmen mount
1t in less time than it takes 30 tell it, and
to the first ono Donnie gives the precious
baby.
Don't hurt him" she beseeches the fire
laddie, as be rather quickly hands over the
baby to his COMPANION and turns about to
lift Oennie out Of the window
He IS none too soon.
She is already swaying 20 aud fro, and in
another moment her slight form would have
disappeared from sight; but he CATCHES her
III ulh hIllh anu SElO ucTs THO lLIL6 names
that burst from her clothes with his coat
Meanwhile the crowd bel W had preserved
mighty stiffness, so & eat was their iutsr-
est.
But when the brave fireman gently laid
Delnie on the mattress. brou hit from a
Eei2hboring house, they broke into hearty
cheer.
Dsnnie's eyes were fast dropping into un.
consciousness, bat she looked up aud asked:
''Is-Baby
yes, yes. dear, said the woman who was
bending over her.
II shouldn't have left him nlons." shs
murmured and then suddenly the air grew
black the faces and voices fade away, and
abe knows no more.
When she awoks she was in a neighbours
house and her mOGher was bending anx-
iously over her bod.
Are you better now, DennieF she asked.
YES, ma" was the feeble answer.
my brave little girl" said her mother,
"but for you where would our darling baby
beg'
Donnie turned q pair of conscience
stricken eyes up n her mothers face.
Don't, ma" she pleaded. II wanted to
play, so l went out and forgot the baby,
a4d-aud, ma left this apron too near
the fire" Honest DsBnie-to confess her
fGuit and that too, after atoniag for it 80
nobly.
Atany rate, though she persisted In blam-
ing herself the towns people ~olld make
heroine Of her, and her one impulsive deed
of bravery won Cor her the admiration Of
all hearts.
From that hour dated better times for
Dennie aud her mother and the baby, and
thou h the BOYS sill teased her and called
her "Dennis," yet not one OF them but
thought her a regular trump" and worth
dozen other girls.
Those minutes of agony aud suspense,
when she stood at the open window with
Baby on her arm aad the terrible fire all
ar nund her, had been toe keen a punish
ment for her to ever forget.
AGNES L. PRATT.