Omaha daily bee., 1897-02-21
BY ROBERI BARR.

well, who from his position could see the
fear. demented man pressing the crowd on
Braunt and hampering him, be a man anu
stand back. Don't fight. There's time ir
all to get out ,
Braunt hoarsely over his shoulder. Tie
member we've to pass me before ye get to the
stair, an little good your 6ghtin' i'll do ye.
At last the knot dissolved, as a long Jam
on a river suddenly gives way when the Key
log is removed. nraunt stood now with ms
back against the doorpoSt, while Sartwell
took his place az the turn of the stairs,
strenuously ninging torn and ragged items OF
humanity into safety. Several OF those VINO
had been at the point of the wedge lay at
his feet, senscless or dead-there was no
time to discover which. Now and then a girl
he hurled down the stairs %tottered, fell, and
lay where she fell.
"Why doesn't some one come to carry
those women out?" groaned the manager,
who had asked one after another whom ne
had saved to send help to him.
At last two of his men appeared.
'It's a bad fire, Mr.. Sartwell, said one; -.
Eyes, yes, ] know. Take down two each, II
you can, and send up more men. Tell the
clerks to see that the iron doors between tne
buildings are closed. Are the firemen here!
Five engines. sir"
Good! Get down as quickly as you can
and send up more help"
"Ye devil! Did you think to sneak past
! me?' cried Braunt, seiZing SchiInmlns, VINO
had at last fought his way through.
Don't waste time with that man, Braunt,
My God, don't you see the flames! The
roof will be in on us in a minute! Fling
him down here!'
"He stays behind me till the last souls
out snarled Braunt between his teeth.
Sartwell said no more. 1t was no time 10
argue or expostulate, and Braunt, although
pinning Schimmins to the wall behind him,
continued to extricate the women as fast
as the manager could pass them along, The
knot was continually forming at the door,
and was as continually unloosened by the
stalwart, indefatigable arms of Braunt.
"You are smothering me- whinCd Schlm'
Minis.
II hope So" said Braunt.
The situation was now hardly to be borne
The smoke ascending the stairway met the
smoke pouring through the door, yet, II
spite of the smoke, the room was bright
for a steady column of flame roared VI
through the shaft, making it like a blast
furnace.
Are they all out" gasped Sartwell
coughing. for the smoke was checking him.
"Ah thing so, sir, but Anil have a look
Some may be on the foor'-and Braunt
as he spoke, hurled schimmins into the
room ahead of him, pushing the door shut
so that Sartwell could not hear the MAJ
if he cried out. The manager strangllnt
in the smoke, appeared to have forgottef
that Schimmins was there.
Down on your hands and knees, ye hound
and see IL any O. the women We felled arr
there!'
~Schimmins was already on his knees.
There's no one here. Open the door,
open the door!' he cried.
Braunt opened the door an inch or two
"All out, sir!' he shouted.
Thank God for that!' said Sart"ell
Come Down at once. There's not a mo
ment to lose"
IN be down as soon as you are, sir
Rum
The manager tumbled dow the cracking
stair, not doubling but Braunt followed.
Now, We crawling serpent, I'm going t
keep we here till ye're singed. / saw you
v~illainy, we coward!"
The terror-stricken man mistook the pur
port of Braunt's words, and thus lest al
chance of life.
II swear to God I didn't mean it!' h
cried. THE match dropped before knowet
it. Gods truth, it did, Braunt!"
What! Ye fred tn works! Ye! VIII