Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-12-02

lions was seen ascending the ladder, with
an air Of determination that seemed to
inspire the crowd with new hope. He
leaped into the apartment, remaining
there but very short time, and yet 1t
seemed to those below long. long while
1.-The pain. the suspense. the hopes. the
fears of an age were crowded In that
brief moment. At last he rcappearcj
but alone. An exclamation of disappoint-
mcnt ran through the crowd but before
1t had died away, another youth of nearly
the same age and size sprang upon a sec
ond ladder, and commenced ascending to
the window. The stranger was Harry
Suthcrland; he had just arrived ut the
scene of action, and was learning the
cause of the deep excitement. when a
beautiful female. whose dress was dis
ordered. and whose hair hung dshevelcd
down her back. seized him suddenly by
the arm. will you rescue my childW
asked the mother; and observing that
Harry hcsitated. she bounded wildly for
ward. and seized the rounds with the in
tcntion of mounting herself; but the
youth caught her as suddenly and, push
ing her aside. he rushed up and lcaped
into the glowing apartment.
There succeeded dead silence and
then q tremendous crash announced that
some part of the interior had given way 1:
but the fears of the multitude were III
moment quoted, on pcrcciving that the
floor of the upper apartments was still
entire. Another moment elapsed. and
then arose one Of the longest, loudest and
most exulting shouts that ever rang upon
the ears of created man: again that wild
burst Of delight reverbcrated on the night
air, and again, and again. until the very
city trcmblcd beneath the universal jubi.
lation.
The mother, frantic with delight, took
her child from the arms Of her deliverer,
and after gazing for a moment In its
beautiful eyes. she clasped the darling to
her bosom and covered its sweet counte.
nance with kisses. That was the happi.
est moment Of Harry Sutherland's life.
lie felt then. ms he gazcd upon the cherub
he had snntclied from destruction. and
the mother he had saved from misery,
that 1t was not In the province of man
to enjoy raptures Of bliss more divine
than those that at that moment thrilled
In his veins. but few Of the millions who
have passed from the cradle to the grave
ever experienced that exquisite sensation
of delight--he was himself a stranger TO
II forever after.
1t was not until the transports Of the
mother had subsidized into a calmcr cur.
rent that she once thought Of him who
had rescued her child; then. indeed. the
thought that he had been so long neglect.
cd rushed painfully upon her mind, and
dcpOsiting her precious burden In the
arms Of her household. she took him BY
| the hand, but, not finding words to OK.
press her gratitude, she fell upon his neck
and burst into u food Of tears. Brave,
noble, generous youth" sobbcd she, ut
will never be In my power to reward you,
but my blessing, a mothers blessing, shall
attend you wherever you 60, and moth.
cr's prayer shall nightly be offered up for
you to Him who only can recompenss the
| disintercsted act you have just perform.
cd"
Harry Sutherland was distressed: and
yet he was happy. Tears were In his
eyes, but Joy was ut his heart: and. glad
at length to escape from observation, he
sought his way out Of the crowd, and
turned toward another and more silent
| quarter Of the city. But he was followed
by a second person; the strange youth
who had also endcavorcd to save the
child. pursued him through every street
and lane he travcrscd for nearly q quar-
ter Of an hour. At length the latter hest.
encd his pace, and, touching Harry upon
the shoulder, the two were confronted
face TO face.
The stranger. though he had sought an
interview, remained silent, as II he had
expected the other to address him, and
Harry, surprised at length that = poke
not, demanded what he required " him.
Nothing" replied the strange youth.
Then why have YOU stopped me" ask.
cd our hero. somewhat angrily.
ITO tell YOU" replied the other, "that
you have robbed me-"
"Robbed you! or what. prayy
"Of the qualification Of rcscuing that
child"
Are you mad?"
mo, SIR"
"Thcn what Is your meaning? don't
understand you. Your language to me IL
all IN enigma"
"You have received appreciation to-
night which should have been bestowed
upon me. was on the very eve Of dis
tinguishing myself. and you came and
blasted my hopes"
Fool" exclaimed Harry, nettled ut the
Others inconsistency, "you had abandon.
cd the project In despair before attempt
ed It,"
II would have tried II again; I would
have ultimately succeeded" said the
stranger.
perhaps So" replied Harry; "but since
the child has been saved, what matters it
to your
"what matters II to me-" said the 9th.
or, repeating his companions words In
undisguised establishment.
Eyes"
The stranger spoke not another word,
but turning upon his heel. he walked on,
leaving Harry Sutherland to resume his
way and muse In mute establishment over
that encounter.