The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-01

the while the blood surged through he1
gr eat hulking frame at the memory of his
eyes meeting hers.
''Ouf! But it is hot, here!'' Elise said
throwing open the street door and ad,
hitting a rush of cool air. 1t blew across
little Marie's heated head and momentar
lily diverted the wall of discomfort she was
contemplating. The chewing peppermint
were gone, and she was feverish and rest.
less.
Down Down." she cried, imperatipely
and Jules, kissing her, lifted her to the
floor.
Outside on the pavement one of the fire
companies was training new horses. There
was a team of three before the ladder
wagon, and fourth was hitched to the
hosecart.
The great creatures were being taught to
run with the heavy wagons, to turn without
slackening their ponderous gallop, and to
stop instantly at a word. 1t is fascinating
to watch these drills. The magnificent
horses seem to enter into the spirit of the
performance, and to realize that they are
the admiration of all beholders. Even
Elise paused to glance at them each time
they flashed by the windows, and to com
ment, 'Ah, bat there is power" But
presently, looking up for another view, as
she heard them approaching, she gave a
piercing scream.
Jules! JulesI" she shrieked. 'tMarie ''
But Jules was standing paralvzed with
horror. 1t was Berthe who sprang for
ward, overturning her ironing-table as she
did so, and rushed into the street. Little
Marie, who had managed to get the screen
door open, was running as fast as her
small legs could carry her to meet the
great Percherons, laundering down the
street.
Every one was screaming at the child. A
policeman was rushing to the rescue and
the whole street was in confusion. But
above the din and excitement, the shrieks
of women from upper windows, the des-
perate 'whoasr' Of the white faced drivers
and the changing of the hosecart bell, Ber-
tine heard low, panied murmur, sIf it
were not for you, Marie.''
The memory lent wings to her clumsy,
sore feet. LII was marvellous how the big
woman ran. She fairly leaped across the
pavement, and Selling Marie's brief skirts,
snatched her from before the very feet of
the plunging ladder-horses. The danger
would have been over but for the APP
preaching hosecart. The great animal
pulling it was in frenzy of fright at the
noise and excitement. His sluggish blood
was up, over the unwonted speed at which
he had been travelling. He refused to pull
up at the word, and came rushing along
Just as Berthe, holding Marie, turned
back. She saw him coming-saw retreat
cut off on every side. Her great, clumsy
body could never escape between those
two heavy vehicles, so close together. Her
lame, smarting feet could not carry her
and Marie out of that inevitable death.
Again, above the din, she heard that MUIR
muir, "f it were not for you, Marie, I"
and with one thrust of her long arms she
tossed the baby squarely into the face of
the fireman on the hook-and- ladder wagon
His free arm caught the child just as the
great forehoofs of the hosecart horse
struck Berthe and dragged her paveward
The agonized driver succeeded in pulling
the brute to his launches, but not before
an enormous wheel slid over the PROSTATE
body.
The whole occurrence was of single
instant. They lifted Berthe tenderly from
the pavement. The small, unspeculative
eyes opened once to take in the vision of
Jules snatching little Marie from the fire.
mans arms and pressing the baby eagerly
to his heart. Then they closed forever,
and the poor uncouth was at rest.
But it is / who must attend to every
thing" Elise said, when the excitement