The National tribune., 1901-08-15
CONTINUED from last week.)

leaving Il Smoldering trail, eating its way
as it goes. 1t mounts aloft; 1t gathers
strength and volume and throws out fam
ing branches. 1t glides insdiouSly into
dark corners and strange places.
An explosion, The fire king has broker
from his hiding and mounts his blazing
throne Flames shoot high in the heav
ems. lighting up the sleeping city; smoke
fills corridors, halls and staircases. 70
licemen, city officials. bell boys, rush wild
" and noisily TO and fro waking the sleep
ing inmates. Women and children in al
almost nude condition grope blindly about
shIieking at the top of their voices IN an
agony of fright. Why does not some
realistic artist paint hell, with such a
scene for his model?
As the flames shot out of window and
roared from roof a white-faced young sol
der stood gazing alphabetically upward III
the front ranks Of the dense crowd that
now filed Market street.
Suddenly the tall. spare form of Serg [
Page appeared, struggling through the
mob OF idle on-lOokerS. With every APP
pearance of extreme agitation the Ser
geant repeatedly attempted to enter the
smoking vestibule. The dense smoke drove
him back. He tottered and would have
fallen had not the youth rushed forward
and caught him.
The MajorI the Major" he gasped.
"WhatT' asked Carter, for it was he.
as the Major in the hotelT
'NeS: in room 4l5, fifth floor"
Has he not been awakened?'
NO one seems to know; they have all
gone crazy"
10 venture into that belching crater
seemed certain death. Why should he
gO2 Had he anything to lose? If the
Major were dead
Spurning the deviish thought that arose
In his mind, the noble youth dashed
through the smoke and was lost to view.
Almost suffOcated and in fainting con-
dition he reached the fifth floor and found
the room in which the Major was lying,
still asleep.
The youth shouted an alarm of fire and
kicked desperately against the door. 1t
was hastily opened, and the Major ap-
peared, half-dreSSed.
''Merciful Heayeni" he exclaimed,
"what has happened?
Quick. or it will be too late. There is
party on the floor below; they have a
rope and will let you down into the
street"
And you?'' inquired the officer.
Never mind me-" said Carter CURLY;
"here it's every man for himself"
Thinking that his preserver was one of
the hotel attaches, and in possession Of
other means of escape the Major hurried
down TO the fourth story and succeeded
In getting himself lowered from the win
dow into the street, AS he reached the
sidewalk there was a hoarse roar from
the crowd.
Don't jump; don't jumpi The firemen
will come up after you!
The Major shuddered and looked up.
Out on the cornice of the fifth story,
creeping along the harrow ledge, picking
LIS way among little tongues of flame that
were brushing out in every direction, was
the pale youth who had rescued him.
Carter looked down into the cauldron
of fire boiling behind him, and then into
the faces Of the crowd below. Should he
jump! He was tempted to do so and
thus end his misery. But no; he dare not
take his own life. He crawled out upon
q pillar and thence TO a projecting coping.
All about him were greedy flames; his
hands were badly burned. just as he was
about to drop from exhaustion, he was
Seized by an adventurous fireman and as
sisted to the sidewalk in an unconscious
condition.
God bless you, God bless your cried
the Major, as the limp form was borne
past him to a neighboring lodging house.
The Major followed, but just as he
reached the doorway he threw up his
arms and sunk with a groan to the SIDE
walk.
a physician in the crowd sprang to the
assistance of the unfortunate gentleman,
but, alas! nothing could be done; the
heart-beats grew rapidly less frequent and
soon ceased forever.
Let US not dwell on the frantic lamenta-
lions of the veteran, nor on the equally
sincere grief of the bereaved bride-tO- be.
Life lay before them, and doubts, per-
plexities and conflicting duties hung like
& cloud about them.
Howard Carter lay moaning ON a bed
of suffering. lie had left his bed on the
night of the fire, impeIled by an uncon-
uollable impulse; he had periled his life
TO save the Major, and in doing so had
seriously endangered his own chances Of
recovery.
Between his sobs for1the dead Mr.. Page
curiOusly sandwiched eloquent laudations
ut the heroism of the living, thus uncon-
sciously tanning TO living fame the
smoldering embcrs in the loyal breast Of
Ellie.
The California Commandery of the
LOYAL Legion took charge of the funeral
of the Major. Every mark of respect was
PAID his memory, and the remains laid
away amid the prayers and tears of those
who loved the gentle nature of the de-
parted official.
Something Of a surprise was now in
store FOR the Page family. After the
funeral it WAS found that the methodical
Major, possibly anticipating a renewal Of
the attack of heart failure experienced at
the Blue Lakes. had carefully settled his
whole fortune upon Eme Page That
young lady was therefore now independ-
emit On learning of her good fortune, the
hrst act Of the girl was to arrange for
the comfort of young Carter
be was moved to a sanitarium, with
carte blanche orders for everything neces-
sary for his recovery. Este, however. re-
Trained from personal attendance, content
Ing herself with hourly bulletins from her
father or from the attending physicians.
Several months passed. Howard Carter
lay on his bed, uncomplainingly; floating
ike an idle chip on life's tossing sea. He
asked no questions, sought no informa-
non; wanted neither food nor gossip. he
gained no strength. He was gliding slow
y down the ceaselcss stream that empties
Into the ocean OF eternity.
HE is dying; | can give you no hone.
BE has no recuperative power" said the
physician, sadly, to Efie.
What shall | dog" asked Efie, tears
Streaming down her pale checks.
The physician looked intently at her for
moment; new light seemed to dawn
upon him.
Il may have been wrong in requesting
you not 10 visit him at present" he said
slowly.
The girls eyes frightened.
oh, Doctor, do you think / dare? |
should like to, so much"
My dear young lady; let me talk to
you as your physician. The roses in your
cheeks have faded-now, don't interrupt
me. ] commence TO believe in the efficacy
Of a yet untried cure. Are you willing tc
place yourself in nv hands for tho nur