The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-05-05


from faint rose color TO blood red, and
that now and again tongues Of fire and
sudden fountains Of sparks sprang upward
to the pail Of saffron smoke which over
hung the roof tops
Fear and excitement made Nellie"a
heart beat heavily GO she ran, and when
they had traversed the length Of several
streets and reached the outskirts Of the
ing building she felt as II she must fall.
Butin moment the faintness passed, and
she was able to look about her
Tho building was lofty one, at the cor
ner of the street-an oil and color chop
and the fire seemed to have taken possess
sion Of the upper rooms and the roof. The
whole Of the top story was in flames, and
the flremen were working to keep the fire
from creeping lower. Running around the
upper story there was narrow iron bal
cony, and her first glance upward showed
Nellie the form of a stalwart young fire.
man balanced upon the rail Of this balcony,
while he hacked with might and main at
some burning woodwork which extended
to the floor beneath him.
With shudder, she recognized Jack. In
the glare Of the fire the rail he stood on
looked like a bar Of redhot iron, and so pre-
carious was his footing that 1t seemed to
tho watchers below that single slip must
precipitate him to the pavement or into
the sea of fire within tho house.
Nellie was almost choked by the wild
beating Of her heart as she watched her
husbands gallant attempts to save the
lower part of the house from the danger
which threatened IL. Every stroke of the
keen Ratchet seemed to strike blow at
her. When would the piece of blazing tim
Der give wayp When would Jack step down
on to tho swaying ladderP
Suddenly rudy fash of light from o
Swallowed corner of the little balcony
caught her eye. 1t was the reflection of the
flames cast back from brass helmet.
There was another fireman on the balcony,
and he was creeping cautiously nearer and
nearer to Jack. Was he going to his help,
Or Nellie's heart stopped beating for an
instant and seemed frozen with sudden
horror. Tho face of the second fireman was
exposed to the glare of the flames, and its
expression was awful to look upon.
1t was the face of Jim Travers.
A strange murmur rose from the crowd
an uncertain sound, such as the sea
wind quickly rises and as quickly dies
away again. Nellie knew that the people
around her were watching Jim's sly ap-
preach, uncertain of his intentions. For
herself, she was in no uncertainty. She
had seen despair in his eyes, and now she
saw.murder and revenge in his movements.
She would have shrieked aloud to warn
Jack of his danger, but horror contracted
the muscles of her throat, and the cry was
stifled in her heart.
Stealthily Jim crept nearer to the I'M
conscious Jack His hands shot out to-
ward the feet 80 unRteadily balanced on
the glowing rail, and, sick with terror,
Nellie covered her face with her hands
She heard an awful cry go up from the
crowd, and strangled scream tore its way
through her throat as she looked up again
and saw that Jack no longer stood upon
tho rail; that the blazing woodwork had
been cut away, and a crouehipg figure was
creeping stealthily back along the balcony.
Then black wave surged up before her
eyes, hiding the blaze of the burning build
ing; roaring as of many waters, sound
ed In her ears, and she sank into gulf of
darkness.
When she returned to consciousness, |
Nellie saw that she was at home Then |
she became aware of strong arm clasp |
ing her Lastly, she knew that loving |
face was looking down at her with anxious
eyes-the face Of her husband.
Jack" she said, "Gre we both dead,
and-and is this heaven?'
Then he smiled at her.
No, no, dear heart" no cried, "we're
alye, and you'll soon be hearty please
God, and this is home"
Nellie felt as If her senses were leaving
hsr aanin But JlcK Hisseu ner, ana uie
kiss did he. 70 mach good that she sat up.
~ thought you had fallen into the fire
and been killed, jack" she said.
What meP" he cried. "No, no, lass.
That was Jim, poor chap, and he did it
all for love Of you, Nellie"
"Oh, Jack, what do you mean? I
thought he was creeping along the balcony
to throw you into he fire because mar
red you instead of him."
HE came to save my life that you might
not lose the man you loved best" said
Jack Mansfield gravely II didn't know
he was there till he seized me round tho
waist and pulled me down from the rail to
the balcony. If hadn't struggled he
might have been more careful. But when
be sprang to my place on the rail he cut
too carolessly at the timber and slipped
and fell into the fire. "
Nellie was now weeping bitterly.
"Oh, Jack, Jack, how wicked l have
Deen!" she cried, land what a grand man
poor Jim wasl And we never knew it
We never knew it!'
Shall tell yuu what he said In that
moment while I was struggling to get
back to my place on the railf' asked Jack.
Nellie could not speak for her sobbing.
50 Jack went on:
He told me not to risk two lives-that
lis own was Of no value to him or to any
1ody, but that must live for your sake.
Then he said: Jack, let me have your
,lace 1t is for dear loves sakep FOLKS
u Homo.