The Forrest City times., 1892-03-25

lockedl My God. they'll be burned alive-the poor little childrenl Where's the key?"
 Il don't know. We lock them in for safety. l don't know where mv wife put it"
 Ahl" cried the brokers man clasping his hands in evident anouish you're not their father-you don't care; but at least she's their mother she must love them little after all and-Jane!" he yelled. rushing into the kitchen. "a hammer. a hatchet or something 10 burst the door open with for the love of heaveu!'
 Jane was not there. She had fed up the street to give the alarm but Sangster soon found kitchen chop. per. armed with which he ran upstairs again. On the landing he met Sten- lake, who had tried 10 ascend out had been beaten back choked and blinded by the dense volumes of smoke.
 I'll go up again. The said in gasps. '1ts very good of you-but don't at tempt tits simply madness
 %S' ho P"oo' cIleu lne man Tn possession. authoritatively. and disap- peared into the darkness
 Griffith Stenlake although not such bad sort of an easy going. weak fel- low in the main. was not the man 10 actively prevent other people from making heroes of themselves.
 Meantime at the top of the house the agonized cries Of the children could be heard and the determined crash, crash' crashl against the panels of the door That is like a human sound too It seems to say: Il will con. quer or die.'
 Quick. quick! or it will be too late. The devouring flames are fast gaining ground. Oh heaven help that brave heart Yes just one more vigorous blow. The door is flying in splinters. The smoke and flames burst forth, but he is inside.
 Ali this happened in a very few minutes and by that time the engines were there playing on the house. They lose no time when they are summoned that gallant brigade which for true heroism can beat all your soldiers from Alexander down. ward
 'QuicK!' cried Stenlake. the es cape There's n man and two chil- dren in the top room!'
 In twinkling the ladder is set up and one of the men is ascending it At the window he can see a sort of demon-a blaekened form illumined by the glare Of the flame-holdiug in either arm a terrified little girl; they were safe and sound. The fireman caught them and bade their preserver descend. But his only thought had been for them. Somehow his foot slipped and he fell backward. Then there was an appall- ing crash. The flooring of the upper story had given way and brave Bill sangster was buried beneath the ruins
 The first gray streaks of the dawn are lighting up the sky. The fire has been mastered. The damage was con fined to the two upper stories, and the ruins are still smoulderlng. After in- finite exertions Sangster has been ex- tricated and carried into Stenlake's den. where they passed the evening. His face, where it was not scorched, was deadly pale Great drops wrung out by agony stood out upon his brow. for both his legs were broken. The first words he uttered were to ask for the children. They were there; for by a mercful Prov deuce they had escaped all injury
 Just then a cab drove up to the door and d lady in evening dress and wrapped in cloak alighted. It was Mrs. Stenlake.
 Oh Griffith" she cried incoher- ently, as she ran into the house what is this? What has happened? Where are the childrenp"
 Safe thank goodnessl Come in here. Mary This is the brave fellow to whom we owe their lives who has risked his for them"
 She came into the little room and started back on seeing the blackened figure lying upon the couch. Her eyes dilatsd and it was only by supreme effort that she saved herself from swooning.
 Where did you come fromP" she said at last in an awed whisper
 "l am the man in possession, he answered. with faint smile. putting an arm round each or the little girls.
 Yes, little money l owed. Sten- lake remarked wearily.
 But his wife had not asked for an explanation. She had not even heard him.
 II thought you were dead she continued in the same tone.
 Oh. don't worry about that my dear l soon shall be but I've been able to save them at any rate. my lit- tie ones
 Who is this man?" Griffith asked.
 My husbandm she replied. cover ing her face with both her hands.
 Yes sir, and bad husband too heaven forgive mel although l loved her in my own way. Don't blame her. She didn't know. It's my fault. She thought was dead. But soon shall be-very soon.
 No. no; have sent for doctor. Stenlake said vaguely. He hardly knew what he did say.
 An, doctors would never do much good. but m past their healing now. I feel it. and I've no doubt you're glad in your hearts know l am. for my life has been weary wreck slnce-for some time past May l kiss them just oncep' he asked and there was auiver in that voice. which was grow ing weaker and weaker Griffith