Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-10-26

who are they?" repeated the theater
attache who had accompanied Billy, "Oh,
that is Mrs. Barrow with her son and
niece. Niece is an orphan recently
come to live with the Barrows who, be-
cause she is worth a few thousand, are
trying to force a match between her and
the son who is no-end-of bad. 1t seems
the girls father was the young fellows
guardian and lost a lot of his money,
and they are working that dodge on her
to rope her in. Cursed mean trick"
But Billy was studying the girls pale
face and longing dumbly to throttle the
man behind her. The play went on, but
he gave it scant heed, for he was think
ing OF the last time he heard it in his
far-off native city, watching the girl
all the while with his ~love-hungry eyes.
when other lips and other eyes
Their tales of love shall tell"
sang Rafael; and this audience, like
that other one of the dead summer,
thrilled and stirred. Billy leaned for
ward, breathing deep. Up in the box
the girl moved restlessly, her glance
sweeping the house as though in search
of an answering glance.
I'm such a moment I but ask
That you'll remember me-
An! their eye had met nd-she had
remembered! And then just as he had
read the gladness Of her glance there
came the booming sound of an ex-
plosion, and from the cracks in the
stage floor issued puffs of white smoke.
For one awful moment no one moved.
then came that cry most dreaded Of
human isteners-''Fire'' And the audi
ence rose with one common impulse of
self-preservation, and showed and surg
ed and shrieked. Out of the box young
Barrow darted, followed closely by his
mother, leaving the girl to take care of
herself. White and painting she stood
irresolute, gazing from tha Gshting,
surging crowd in the aisles to the s1nol1-
ing stage. 1t looked like death either
way. Then a hand caught hers AMI Il
strong arm vas about her waist, for
Billy, climbing over The in. arvening
CHRIS had gained the boy
Il will save you, never fear. Thank
God, l have found you!"
With a cry Of joy she yielded herself
to him., and almost carrying her he
brought up the rear Of the half frantic
throng whose goal was the distant door.
But faintinS women and children re-
tarded the onward rush, and the vast
mass of humanity sWayed back and
forth and made no Roadway. Just be-
hind Billy was a window: to this he re-
turned and throwing up the SASH looked
out. 1t was fully twelve feet to the
paved alley below, but an officer was in
sight; to him Billy shouted, then turn
ed to the girl:
1T is your best chance. Come"
But she held back. mot unless yol
| go with me-" p.-
Il will follow" and lifting het. through
the window he let her down as far as
their poined hands would permit then
dropped her into the arms OF the blue
coat. He thought to follow at once, but
as he Strengthened up a mother thrust
hr little girl into his arms. in1ploring
him to save her. And so the chill went
to the officer below, and the mother fol-
lowed. Then others crowded about him.
and it was not until ten women and
little ones had been passed over the WIN
dow ledge that he found himself free
to follow, for the pressure in front Il
been relieved and the crowd was flow
ing into the street. When he gained the
payment the girl was waiting Cor him
with outstretched hands and together
they ran down the alley away from, the
burning building to the opposite street.
There they paused. She did not thank
him in words for saving her, but the
hand he had held in their fight was not
withdrawn, and her eyes shone upon
him full of tender admiration. In his
dreams she had sometimes looked at him
thus.
"You did remember the song: You
did think of me?" he cried, forgetful of
the fire.
a man has said a word
of love to me since that day 1 have
thought of you"
Passers-by We're beginning to look at
them. He saw her shrink from the
scrutiny, and in a moment he had he. in
a waiting cab.
where is your home?' he asked.
"No. 256 North she began; then with
a gesture of repulsion she cried out: II
have no home!'
HE took her hands in his. 81 saw your
aunt desert you, May; l saw that selfish
coward they want you to marry save
himself and leave you to perish. You
are right; their house can never be your
home. Will you marry me-, dear, and let
us make a new home, whose one law
shall be love and happiness?"
She lifted her tender eyes. ever
since that other matinee / have felt
that you We're mine, heart and soul;
after this one l belong wholly to you.
! No other lips or eyes must henceforth
tell their tales of love to me-" .