Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-03-08

though you Qld ullnk Il had. It's
ashamed you ought TO be to lie talkina;
TO the likes of me about yodr vapors
and your dancing into the grave.
How can we down here hope when
you up there are so doleful: How
oh, my God. Look there.
Egbert sprang TO hs feet and looked
toward the entrance into the hall.
AS he did so the music stopped dis
cordantly. As he did so shrieks and
oaths whirled upward in mighty
AS he did so little
Dobbs sprang from the top of the
table and out of the box, with old
Marvin and Banning and the women
pell nell after him, and the detective
we'll in the lead. A light smoke was
curling lazily through the doorway,
and even in the glance forks of flame
We're cutting it. AYE, truly, old Mar
vim, did you predict in your chance
remark of a ''firetrap."
Egbert hung, absorbed 10y the view
The faces, the struggling, upturned
mass of faces! Could hell furnish
such types of cowardiee. ferocity, ter
ror, despair? Brothers and sisters
about to die, did one show the soft
trace of humanity? Were these his
kindred? Were these
Come" cried the girl. Are you
dreaming2''
Together they passed out of the box;
no
clolrded gallery. Them the light
touch ON Egbert's arm vanished. He
was alone. He stopped short and
waited, dumbfounded. He waited,
and the cloud shot away in a roar,
and the advancing blaze cast the
glare of a relentless day. He looked
back; and there, against the box,
stood the girl, with folded arms, like
why didn't you call?" he asked,
angrily.
"Oh, wouldn't call the likes of yo1,
size replied softly.
why did you leave me-"
You had left your gloves on the
chair. See, here they are"
And we are lost for a paltry pair of
glOves!' he said, bitterly. And, indeed,
his despair was well founded, for the
esress was through a fiery furnace.
Forgive me-" the girl gasped. Il
didn't think. They were SO pretty.
But perhaps come this way" and
she drew him back behind the box,
through a door that led into an l. of the
building There were stairs running
UP, and at their foot was a window,
but no downward flight.
They may reach us with ladders,
the girl suggested.
ESDert threw open the sash ana
looked out. Far below law
fecked by streaks of light. At the
end, toward the front, We're the dark
bulwarks of mighty. throng, the
quiveTdng engines, and the tiremen
waging an unequal strife.
IF they see us in Time" he replied.
1--WE could stand out here" she con-
tinued, pointing to the ledge. THAT
Will attract their attention. And in
deed we must, before the smoke and
heat overcomes us"
This ledge was an irregular piece of
stone about a foot wide, covering the
window width, and to the right ex-
tenu.ng a little beyond. Egbert stepped
out, intent on trying the danger. The
girl followed, and he drew down the
sash containing the two half-lightssof
oi,. in II i'm
and he pushed along until lie stood
on the projecting end.
We are seen, we are saved, he
cried, pointing to men running down
the street.
Look" murmured the girl, scarcely
needing him. See this vast column
Of smoke, now it spreads and grows
brighter as it drifts away. And now
as it settles the moon shines through
it, and one can see the river, and that
wonderful stretch of bridge, and the
mighty city spread out like the king
dOms of the earth. The vapor that
appeareth, but, oh! Pm so glad to see
power and greatness beyond it,"
window lights were shivered. Part Of
the protecting inner wall had fallen
away, and the fire was eating the
brick and mortar as if it were timber
Egbert thrilled with comprehension.
You must change places with me-"
he said, calmly. stand out as far as
you can and there will be time for
them to save you"
Yes, yesr' cried the girl, resisting
his grasp. Only one moment please.
What was that mans name againT'
THAT man.
Eyes; him whose books you thought
I'd read"
oh! Thackery Come Gomez
Il was so pleased; it was such
compliment" said the girl with a
pdOud smile. She leaned over and
kissed Egbert full ON the mouth; then,
with sudden twist, she threw herself
headlong into the molten pit. AS
Egbert, confused and overcome, made
as if to follow her, a ladder Jared
against the wall, strong hands seized
him, tottering; stout arms upheld him
and bore him into safety.
1t was the following year that Egg
bert married his cousin Sophia, just
after he had won that great case
which men term the foundation of his
forensic fame. A notable structure,
this celebrity solid S11bSta ntial hav-