The Minneapolis journal., 1902-06-30
SIMPLY AN ANACHROlNISM
By BLANCHE TRENNoR HEATH

quick movement. Gust think it over She
had always been used to luxury and would bs
miserable without it, Now, you have your
own way to make, you know. Look at the
ether side. J could gratify all her whimA.
I've set my heart on her. and I'm willing to
pay the price. II make 1t worth your while
to .withdraw"-
You cur!'' Wynne sprang up with
clinched hands. Get out of my sight or
He stopped short, listening. There was a
vague rush outside, then cry that rang
sharply through the room:
Both men sprang to the door. but wherever
they turned the smoke poured in their faces,
hot and sitting. The elevator shaft was a well
Of fame, the staircase half burned away, SO
sudden was the work of destruction.
This way" painted Wynee.
But the fire ran with thenl-up the walls,
along the ceiling. blistering and cracking
over their heads. At the end of the passage
was a window commanding a hre escape
wynne climbed out and called back to Hor-
tom
"Quck. for your life!"
II cant gasped Horton, unnerved and
helpless.
Wynne knew that there was barely time
for his own escape. Why should he sacrifice
his life for the man who shut him out from
| love and fortune? For an instant he thrilled
with the realization Of all that this chance
! Horton and dragged him to the window.
The fresh air revived the half stupefed
man, and he descended in safety. Wynns
was following when a great piece OF crumb-
| ling plaster struck him On the head Bleed.
! ing and stunned, he staggered and went
| down. rs
| Fowler who had been an anxious spectator
| pushed his way through. Wynne opened his
| eyes and looked at him.
| ''Horton7" he stammered.
| "Safe enough confound him!' muttered
Fowler. "You gave him your chance" with
| quick guess at the truth.
But it seemed that Wynne had had Won
| derful escape. There was no conclusion OF
broken bones; he would be right again in q
| few days.
| So it proved. When he next saw Sylvia
| Benham all that remained Of his misadven-
ture was an unusual pallor and a scar across
| the forehead. p ~'-0
Sylvia came to meet him with outstretched
! hand, her face aglow. Jack told me"-she
said without any preface. "Oh, it was so
brave of you to do it!' -
He shook his head. He could not take her
| praises on false pretenses. 1T would have
been cowardy not to-" he said. When l
found myself thinking that only his life
stood between me and all that care for in
do you care 50 much for-the money!"
she said softly <-s@'
The look and tone broke down his self con-
troll. You know it isn't the money he said
vehemently, Except as the money means
you Yes, must say 1t now love you!
love you!'' dropping the hands he had
grasped -" ) =.
: The slender hands futtered back to his
, sleeve. Il might say something. too if
, If you asked me-
III asked you!' He caught her hands
again. Sylvia, your aunt told me you would be
: Wretched without-without what I cannot Of
, fer you yet-and I believed her. But now
, Tell me, Sylvia. may 1 speak and not
r feel that am risking, your happiness? May
I, dear?"
The answer was low that he had to
bend his head very close to hear it. But
that it was satisfactory may be inferred from
Fowler's remark little later, when they
met at the door.
1 We'll, Don Quixote," he said. with keen
> glance into Wynne's face, "you don't look
as if you had repented your folly yet
1--WE seen no reason for repenting so far
o Wynne laughed back: ,'
j HIN I suppose you think you've knocked
my theories all to pieces,' said Fowler. But
l I still maintain that you re simply an an
achronisnn. only with quizzical look. "on
y the whole shouldn't mind if there were more
q Of you!'