The Yale expositor., 1902-05-09

the anticipated coming OF the enemies
Cor whom Jones looked? II the couat
and his rabble had invaded the hotel
and were searching for him, they
would no doubt discover him In time
Just when he had figured this out
some one pounded vigorously on his
door and shouted I'm French:
The house Is on FIRE, save yourself
monsieur"
Then Mcrrick threw aside the mae
ton that had been weighing him
down-when necessity demanded
prompt movement he would be found
In the van.
lie snatched the door open.
Some smoke drifted in promptly
at least there was good evidence 10
| prove the presence OF fire.
All the while pandemonium was in
1 creasing. shrieks and shrill French
ordinations Joining with grurer
male voices in mad chorus.
Come said Merrick, this looks
serious | shall have 20 take hand In
the game"
lie was very cool, perhaps because
! he was brave and sensible. and had
fought FOR his very life with the fire
demon ere now.
The holocaust of previous yca..
when scores of Partisan society lead
/ ar persisted IN the awful Charity 3a-
/ zaar conaasrat.on. was fresh in tho
! minds OF these frightened people, AMI
I added 10 their terror.
Mervick calmly locked JoaCa' apart
/ mcnt and put tho key In his pocket.
The smoke was becoming thicker,
and figure after figure went Urch!nE
( aud plunslng toward the stairs. where
/ possible safety lay.
Mcrrick could easily have made his
/ escape but somehow this thought dill
not seem 90 have presented itself 90
him while there were still others in
\ danger.
Some heroic souls az such times al
ways think for those whom fright
has rendered incapable OF using their
own bairus-a fact that does human
nature credit.
He entered upon a systematic ex-
animation of each room. and managed
60 start several upon the road TO
safety.
II was work that Just suited hls
nature-ho delighted in cheating the
! fire demon out OF his contemplated
victims. FOR he and the monster were
old enemies.
Rapidly. then. he made the tour OF
;hc floor. and left not room un.
! searched.
This had taken time. and the smoke
had gathered in almost sudocating
clouds. 30 that MCrrlCk ON his way TO
the stairs. ran zlgzag across the hall
back and forth in order that he might
not miss an. unfortunate one who
should have sunk down overpowcrol
by the choking fumes.
That was a happy thought. an In
SEPARATION born of genius and all his
lie Mark Mcrrlck found cause TO
bless the moment In which he had
conceived such a master stroke.
For ~ had not covered more than
half the distance when he came upon
ono such unfortunate lying In a heap
and almost helpless.
II was Impossible TO see. but Mer-
rick put down his hands and immcdi-
Gtely felt tho face and long hair OF
n woman.
SHE Immediately caught hold OF
him and endeavoged 20 gain her feet.
but was too weak.
Can you walk" b. shouted In
French.
Alas, I have So aimed my ankle. I
fear" came the reply close 10 his
ear
Mcrrick did not hesitate.
lie knew there was only one way
TO get her to place of safety. and
that was by carrying her.
So without word OF apology he
suddenly swept her up In his arms.
and was thankful Co discover that she
turned ont TO be rather diminutivc In
slze--a woman OF perhaps a hundred
pounds.
put your arms around my nocS. "
he enid.
The noise below was still fearful.
bat she heard him evidently. for she
obcyCd without hesitation,
Thus he proceeded toward the stair
way
Apparently they were the last ones
on that floor all tho others having
made good their escape.
An unpleasant surprise awaited
Mcrrick. for. upon reaching thc stair
way. ne found that the fre was there
ahead OF him.
Some men would have been dcmorn-
llzed. but with him opposition only
served 60 arouse new thoughts and
plans.
lie remembered there was n second
stairway used by the domcstics per-
hapa-thls might offer him the safety
the first refused.
So ne turned and made for 10 az
only n desperate man could do.
save youraolf. monsieur" cried the
I ono whom he clasped In his arms. no
doubt fearing lest I'm endeayorlng "a