The state herald., 1892-04-01

luxe, WuO uuu trleu W uSCeuu Dut Nll
been beaton back. choked and blinded
by the dense volumes OF smoke.
'I'll go up again, "he said In gasps.
'It's very good of you-but don't at
tempt tits simply madness
Let me pass!' cried tho man In
possession. authoritativoly. and disap-
peared into the darkness
Griffith Stenlake although not sucA.
bad sort of an easy-going, weak fel-
low In tho main was not the man TO
actively prevent other people from
making heroes OF themselves.
Meantime at tho top OF the house the
agonized cries OF the children could be
heard and the determined crash!
crash! crash! against the panels OF the
door. That is like human sound,
too. 1t seems to say: Il will con.
quer or dier'
Quick! quick! or 1t will be too late.
The devouring flames are fast gaining
ground. Oh heaven help that brave
heart! Yes just ono more vigorous
blow. The door is flying in splinters,
The smoke and flames burst forth, but
he is inside.
All this happened in very fow
minutes and by that time tho engines
were there playing on tho house.
They lose no time when they arc
summoned, that gallant brigade.
which for true heroism can beat nil
your soldiers from Alexander down
ward.
.QuicK!" cried Stenlakc. tho es-
cape. There's man and two chill
dren in tho top room!'
In atwinkling the ladder is SGT up and
one OF the men is ascending it At tho
window he can sec sort OF demon-a
blackened form illumined by the glare
OF the hame-holding 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 tho upper
story had given way and bravo Bill
Sangster was buried beneath the ruins
The first gray streaks OF tho dawn
are lighting up the sky. Tho fire has
been mastered. The damage was con-
fined to the two upper stories and the
ruins are still smouldering After in
finite exertions Sangs.er has been OK
tricated and carried into Stenlake's S
den, wherc they passed tho evening.
His face where IL was not scorched
was deadly pale. Great drops wrung
out by agony stood out upon his brow.
for both his legs wero broken. The
first words he uttered were to ask for
the children. They were there; for
by merciful Providence they had
escaped all injury.
EJust then cab drove up to tho door
and lady in evening dress and
wrapped in n cloak alighted. Il was
Mrs. Stenlake.
"Oh. Grifith." she cried. incoher.
emily MS she ran into the house,
"what is this? What has happened? /?
Where are the childrcn?n
Safe thank goodnessi Come In
here Mary. This is tho brave fellow
10 whom we owe their lives. who has
risked his for them'
She camo into the little room and
started back on seeing the blackened
figure lying upon the couch. Her eyes
dilated and it was only by supreme
effort that she saved herself from
swooning.
where did you como from? she
said at las, in an awed whisper
Il am tho man in possession, he
/ answered. with n faint smile putting
IN arm round each OF the little girls
Yes n little money owed" STEM
lake remarked wearily.
But his wife had not asked for m
explanation. She had not even heard
him.
Il thought you woro dead, - she
continued In the same tone.
'Oh. don't worry about that my
dear soon shall be. but I've boen
able TO save them ut any rate. my lit.
tie ones"
''Who is this mani" Griffith asked.
My husband" she replied. cover
ing her face with both her hands.
Yes sir, and n bad husband. too
heaven forgive mel although | loved
her in my own way. Don't blame her.
She didn't know. It's my fault Sho
thought was dead. But l soon shall
be-vory coon.
NO no; have sent for doctor. "
Stenlako said, vaguely. He hardly
knew whnt hc did say.
"Ah. doctors would never do much
good. but / m past their healing now.
! feel IT, aud I've no doubt You're glad
in your hearts. know ! am for my
lifo has been weary wreck since-for
somo timo past May l kiss ,hcm
just once2' he asked. and there was u
quive- in that voice. which was grow
ing weaker and weaker Griffith
male gesture which the other quick.
ly intercepted.
''Ah. don't bo afraid. ] shan't tell
them; thcy shall noyor know from
mo"
lie roso and painfully kissed both
tho children. Iio had saved them
from tho ilre and they woro not afraid
OF him. So, with his blessing upon
their innocent souls their father sanl,
dead.
Ono short sob broke from Mary.
and then, putting up hor hand softly
TO her husband. $40 said
''Cnn you forgive me9'
'AlnryW ho criod.
Tho humble. boscoching tono com.
ing from her surprised him. Ho took
her In his arms and from tho ,lmc oi
that strange sceno they began 10 rea.
lizo tho great principle OF Rivo and
take and instead of drifting still
apart ,hey prosporod best by facing
tho world hand In hand together -
London Tld.Bi,s
,irs. Yes Gngiisb.
Evcryono's righ, To 'llfc. liberty
and tho pursuit Of happiness" must