Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-08-08

our best to make you safe. 1t may take
some time. Perhaps 1t would be better
to keep as quiet as possible. Somebody
will be here on guard. II you want any.
thing, call out"
II understand" said Jim. when you
are ready to take us out, have a carriage
for the lady and an ambulance and
stretcher for the boy"
Yes, yes; everything will be looked
after"
For Miss Merriam" shrilled a boys
voice. Something attached to a string
bobbed in front OF the cage. Jim drew
1t in. 1t was n little bunch of flowers.
He handed il to the girl
That was Joe's voice." she said. Joe.
as Jim remembered, was the lame boy.
Then Jim lowered his six feet Of stat
ure to the floor beside the girl and sat at
her feet
1--WE might as well make ourselves
comfortable" he said. 81 fancy we are
In for quite siege of It."
The boy moaned and feebly tossed, but
the girls soothing hand quieted him.
A dull clnng, clang, from distant
gong reached them in the silence.
Must be calling out the fire depart.
ment." said Jim Grigsby. 1--WE are evi.
IDENTIFY creating quite a sensation"
II don't like that" said the girl.
ut will all be an old story in a day OF
two" he laughed.
How can you laugh?" she asked.
why not?' he asked. Its all can
do. II there was anything else.
shouldn't be lounging here. ! wish
could make you more comfortable. I'm
afraid | seem to you a little hardened
and thoughtless. but it's all the fault OF
my early experiences. I've gone through
something like this before. was once
locked up in n mine for six hungry days.
DO you mind having dne talk?"
I'm glad to hear you." she said sim.
ply.
Before he could speak again the eleva.
tor swayed n little. settled slightly.
caught again. there was hoarse shout
from both above and below. and then all
was still again. At the first movement
she had caught at his hand with her
trembling fingers. lie took them in his
firm clasp and did not let them go.
You are cold. he quietly said and fell
to softly chatting her hands, Then as il
there had been no interruption he went
ON to tell her the story OF the mine lie
talked simply and we'll 1t was a graphic
tale. aud made her forget for the mo.
ment their cwn pcrilous situation. Then
he went on 10 other adventures and final.
ly drifting back told her OF his early life.
Of the mother he had lost when boy, OF
his flight from cruel relatives. OF his
struggle for bread in the rugged western
country. Then he told how step by step
he had climbed upward to independence.
He talked OF himself freely, of his hopes.
OF his ambitions, of his long deferred
plans for happiness. She felt the pressure
tighten on her hands. Then he suddenly
stopped short
Hold on" he said hrusquely; I'm
firing you. And. see here. you mustn't
let yourself get cramped. Try aud shift
the boys hend a little. Swing your arms
aud move your feet. Have some
brandy -
''Nn." she said. thank you: I'm quite
comfortable. How long have we been
hcre?"
He held his watch 10 the dim light
by George" he cried. Its three hours
and ten minutes. What talker | am,
But that's what it is to pass ones time
in good company" and he laughed like n
boy.
Il don't know what should have done
whimpered and put her hand to her eyes.
Here" he quickly said. give me your
handkerchief" He took it and holding
the light close to her face carefully wiped
it. "A little sanguinary in spots" he said,
with a quiet laugh. Don't put your
fingers to your face agnin. There. now
your hat is straight. We must look our
best when we face the big reception com
mittee that is pretty sure to be await
ing u.s."
For the life OF her she couldn't help
smiling Mt the contrast between his lively
air and his sorry appearance.
Hello. below there" came the mutiled
voice from above.
Hello" answered Jim.
IAN right?'
mo change" said Jim.
1--WE have rugged a temporary cable and
some graphing lines and are going TO lie.
you down. Don't be alarmed"
600 ahen6" said jim.
There was creaking OF blocks and
many hoarse orders, and somebody was
lowered to the roof OF the car. There
were sounds. too from below-murmurs
and sharp cries of warning. The car rose
a little, and then began its slow descent.
As it neared the ground floor Jim gently
picked up the boy and Jane spread the
coat carefully over the quiet FORM
"Tete- a teie IL over" said Jim.
The gate was pushed back and Jim
stepped out. There were policemen and
Gremen and ambulance men. and back Of
them many people waiting in the lobby,
and muifled cheer arose as they step
ped out.
Clear the way to the ambulanc said
Jim sharply to the police sergeant. and
the stretcher men and the surgeon fell in
behind him as he stalled to the street.
He was sorry looking fellow. hatless.
coatless and blood stained, but as he
laid the lad on the mattress and stepped
aside the great crowd that had been pa
tiently waiting in the street for the rescue
gave him a rousing cheer. He hurried
back into the lobby, but Jane had been
spirited away.
II was Just a week later that Lame Joe
haekoned TO the elevator starter.