The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-02-15

So quiet and unassuming had besn the
arrival of tie Norwoo Is at tue fashion able
resort that few people recognized the
plain, courteous cd gentleman, his quie',
dizniied wife and daughter, and the
thoughtful. handsome-looking young man.
rs the famous observation-disclosures and
his family.
Mr. Norwood and Joel had accepted an
invitation 10 Join party OF friends at the
club house one evening, but receiving
some books late in tbs afternoon. joel
excused himself andt renamed in his
room at the hotel de sat up quite late.
rea ing, when the cry of fire attracted his
attention. Laying down his books and
hurTylug down stairs, hs learned
that the fire was in another wing
ot the hOt.l-the part whers Mrs.
Norwood aud Susie's apartments were To-
Gated. He rushe in that direction with
al, possible hastc. only To tini thai the
gtsirways were on fire and that help. ii
there was any, must come from another
sou &C. jus, then the men from thu club
house cana running some shouting
orders some calling for help. while some
we're nearly frantic. Mr.. Norwood was
most wed when 10 found that the
fire vas in tie second story. nlmOst direct
ly underneath the room where his wife
and daughter we're now probably sleeping
unconscious o. the great Danger.
There were no ladders that y Ould reach
thei. Windows, aud no adequate meas At
hand 10 tight such ire. The smoke be-
gan 10 pour out a. the windows beiow,
aud the cracking OF flames were heard
eating their way throuIh the wooden
structure
While Mr.. Norwood stood wringing his
hands ami gazing up amid the cloud OF
smoke. the forms OF his wife aud daugh-
ter appeared ST their windows and their
agonzing cry for help reached his ears.
Now the form OF msu in shirt sleeves.
carving long rope appeared upen tue
roof
Quickly h, winds it around the chimney
top and throws its coil over the caves.
down beside the Norwood windows With
the lghlness and dexterity only acquired
br e weil-trAined eIhlste he swings him
sell down stops but second at tho WIN
doWs. ami then two forms 2 lde down the
strand and Mrs. Norwood is ssfe IN her
husbands arms.
Tue Yescusr does not tarry to hear the
heartfelt thanks of those around him, but
up the rope, hand over hand, ne soon is at
the windows again. The immense crowd
stand below, Awed intO silence by the
almost supeThumsn feat already acco n
plished. Can he rspest it? Can hs again
rstain his hold upon the en1sr rope and
bear another precious burden to the
ground in safety? The b ack smoke now
pours ont in great clouds, sparks shOot
aud snap all about the window. and little
tongues OF fans dart here and there
struggling 10 burst their bond and eniold
their victim.
The heavy veil of smoke is parted for a
moment by a passing braezs and reveals
the young athlete oGiy emerging from
the window. A pair of white arms are
ingin. 'round his neck; e young lady.
dressed in flowing white. with long silken
tresses hanging loose and free with face
pAe as death, lying on bis shoulders.
The young man takes a firm hold upon tho
rope and the periOus descent begins
There is a puf Of smoke, q crash of
glass and the fla nes spring out with roar
like that OF q bslfied bsast. But. too lGte.
The brave fellow with his fair burden is
below it. Out Of the binding smoke they
emerge down they come, steady, hand
over hand, the great muscles of his arms
standing out like cords of steel. Already
the rope has taken fire and Is burning
ike fuse. But il has answered It's pur-
pose vel. y glad shout from the assem-
Dlrd throng announces that the receiver
has touched the earth once more in safety,
just as thu rope parts above. Mr.. Nor
wood clasps his daughter 10 his breast.
! He turns to take the hand OF his noble
ward, only TO finG that he has been car
ried OF unconscious.