The Elbert County tribune., 1902-10-23
o.syrishl 1901. Street and SMITH New Ye...
CHAPTER xv.-tconiinusd.)

Abits
He believed some unseen hand guid
ed him, and there was certain bold
confidence In his intrepid heart that
all would yet be well-all must be
well, since Airline loved him. Heaven
could not be so cruel as to give him
fhis fleeting glimpse into paradise
Just as Moses was allowed to look
over into the Promised Land. and
then snatch him away forever.
II was this positive belief In ulti
mate escape that bore him up SO well
that kept his brain as clear as a bell
and prevented confusion OF Ideas
such as must have proven fatal to
his chances.
The two fugitives ran the gauntlet
In safety. although there was time
when Charlie began to fear their prog
ress would be cut on. so flercely did
the savage flames roll along.
Luckily an opening occurred,
through which he rushed. half bearing
Airline.
To retreat meant destruction. rs
he well knew. and their only hope
now was to push grimly on.
One thing favored them-close to
tho fire the smoke was not SO suho-
cating-in some Of the corridors II
was 80 dense that many poor, bew'l-
dered, wandering souls must have
been asphyxiated long before the ire
reached them.
Charles frst hope was to find some
stairway designed for the help. II such
existed, through which the fiefy
streamcrs had not been drawn.
He saw many roofs here and there,
some towering buildings. and a thou
sand heads in places OF vantage. where
the whole dread spectacle could be OBJ
served.
He saw where a chance offered, IL
one could but reach the next lower
floor. but It was not open to them
here.
Quick as flash he darted into an
adjoining room; II had two beds In
II, and from these he whipped the
sheets.
The sheets, torn lengthwise and
knotted together. would serve the pur-
pose he had in view.
Even while he was ripping them in
broad strips and knotting them to-
gether. Stuart kept watch and ward
over tho flames.
Again he looked down; everything
appeared favorable-at least. there was
rs yet no sign of flames bursting out
below him.
How furlously ne worked l-how with
clinched teeth he tested each knott
That rude rope was to bear n burden
that was very precious to him. and he
did not mean II should betray him.
1t was all done in an incredibly
short time. though doubtless under
such n fearful strain lit seemed hours
TO those whose lives and future happi-
ness hung by thread. as 1t were.
Charlie knotted one end around Ar
line. while her eyes looked into his
with bravery he would never. never
forget.
She knew this desperate move of
his was the only hope they had.
So she shut her teeth hard together
and crushed down the wall that flut-
tered In her throat-the womanly fear
of facing peril. such as men can hard
ly appreciate.
Whilehe worked in this way Charlie
was busy explaining to Airline. as sim
ply as words could do, what her part
was to be.
Never to his dying day would Char.
lieforget how she looked into his eyes
as she crouched there on the broad
sill of the window, and gave him even
n piteous smile meant to be encour-
aging.
Then she was gone,
He thought his heart had broken
such was the wrench 1t received when
she passed from his sight. and he re
allied that she hung there in midaiI
with only frail sheeted rope between
herself and eternity.
Then elapsed few seconds that
seemed years.
Never had he experienced more
radical sensation of extreme Joy than
when there came three quick tugs al
the rope. the signal she was to give
when she had secured lodgment on
the window sill below. and desired
moro line in order to enter.
Quickly he allowed II to slip through
his fingers so that she might release
herself from the moose ere he made the
attempt to descend.
The flames were now driving along
the corridor. and IL seemed as though
they would reach the open window ere
another minute had elapsed.
To man of Stuart's build and ath
letic qualities It was a mere bagatellt
TO accomplish this feat; his only dan
ger seemed to lie in fracture OF the
rope.
Like magic he dropped down and
arrived opposite the window.
A pair of arms shot out and seized
him: Airline was on tho watch and
much distressed lest something should
happen TO him.
And Charlie was Thankful enough e