The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-01-31
CHAPTER nv

must De on nre!
CHAPTER III.
"Gqaddy! my dear GLADLY, rouse up,
What is 1t? Are you asleep? The
fright has paralyzed her!"
Gervis Templeton stopped and gath
cred up his wife's form in his arms.
Like most American girls, she was
small and slight, an easy weight for
any mans arms; but somehow GLADLY
was an almost impossible burden. She
was still and motionless. and it was
like carrying lay-figure. ~
Place your arms around my neck,
dear, and I can carry you the faster!"
he hurriedly said. But there was no
responsive obedience.
His brides arms hung loosely down.
1t was not that she had tainted, Ger
Wis knew, for her eyes were wide open
and staring, and there was no time to
puzzle over her strange inertness.
Nearly every one was out of the
magnificently furnished car. The
train, which had been slowing, was
now at standstill. It was quite dark
when Gervis stood on the steps with
his burden; but, to. his wonder, he
now saw what he had been unaware Of
before.
The train was in one of the snow
sheds-in fact, in one of the longest
of these structures, and one mile in
length.
Under its roof, which was shaped
as a continuation Of the slope of the
mountain-side, the train was drawn
up. And Gervis gasped, for he now
discovered the cause of the frenzied
excitement. The train itself was not
on fire; it was the snow shed.
"Why, what can it mean? How on
earth could snow shed take fire in
this wintry weather." he exclaimed.
Easily enough" said a quiet voice
at his ear, and pair of black eyes
met those of Gervis. "a snow shed
can catch fire as the forests do, from
the engines sparks. This must have
been burning some time, should say.
AS rule. men on trolleys patrol the
sheds after every train to inspect it;
but this has broken out after they
have passed"
The speaker pointed long, thin
finger to the wall of flame ahead of
the engine, which doomed black and
weird against the bright glare. Even
in the alarxhing situation Gervis could
not but be struck at the calm tone Of
the strangers voice, and his serene
demeanor.
Below the two men, as they stood on
the steps of the car, the terror-stricken
passengers were rushing to and fro in
wild alarm. There seemed to be no
body to appeal to. The driver and
stoker gazed helplessly from their en-
CINE into the barrier Of fire. The guard
had quietly leaped out and sped back
in search of the hose always found In
every snow shed In case of fire.
The flames were roaring and shoot
ing up through the roof into the black
night. Each moment the danger was
becoming more and more imminent.
IF this goes on we shall be roast
ed aiive!" Gervis shouted, as he es-
sayed to step down.
Stop! Let me lift her out Of your
arms" The stranger who had ad-
dressed Gervis was already on the
ground, his arms stretched out to re-
ceive the burden Gervis held.
Gathering the slight form to him he
held the motionless girl on the
ground, and as Gervis sprang down the
steps the strangers hand made a few
quick passes before the fixed, white
face Of the PROSTATE GLADLY.
THANK you kindly" said Gervis
hastily. cit is good Of you. She is
my wife. and somehow the shock
seems to have frozen her. She is I'M
able to speak even. fear it has af-
fected her deeply"
ooh, Gervis, take me away some
where!" A long, sobbing cry came
from her lips.
GLADLY had come back-she was her
self again; and Gervis almost wished
the frozen stupor had continued.
my poor little grill" He bent down
over her, kneeling on the ground to
draw her little head to his shoulder.
At any cost he must hide the hideous
wall of flame from her frightened eyes.
AS he strove to comfort her he did
not see the sheer on the dark, olive
skinned face that looked down upon
the youthful husband and wife.
II must save her!" Gervis looked up
presently to say, in hoarse whisper,
and encountered the pitiless gaze Of
his new friend. "You must help mel"
Gervis struggled to his feet. II tell
you my wife must be saved! It was
who brought her into this plight, and
am ready to give my life for hers!
Help me. Suppose I rush the whole
thing? Do you think I could get her
through the flames to the other side
Of them, and to the open beyond?"
care you mad?" was the icy re-
joinder. Better reverse the engines
and back the train to the end we came
mat. But see. here comes the guard
back again. Well?"
cts anything but WELL guess"
growled the guard. glancing uneasily
at the women folk. Lowering his
voice, he went on to the male passen-
gers: '"The plain truth is, we're in q
death trap. God help US ALL" Then
he hesitated.
MAN. speak out. What is it,"
Eve bin way back goodish bit,
and found worse thing behind us al
most than this!" He pointed to the