Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-10-18


he-' to know the great love that was
in his heart before they faced the
dreadful ordeal which might be their
destruction. As though he might thus
seal his claim upon the woman he
adored, even though together they
were doomed to journey toward an
other world
Come! Have courage, my darling" :"
he said
Probably few men on earth have
been given so strange an opportunity
to declare their love- and under such
conditions who could envy Charlie
Stuart the brief spasm of delight
which he experienced, for the first
time he passed his arm about Arline's
waist with a sense of proprietorship.
Love is a strong factor in the race
the girl might have been rendered
frantic with fear had she found her.
self alone face to face with the
threatening destruction, but with his
strong arm to lean upon, and the
knowledge of his declared passion 10
sustain her, she could meet the dread
issue with courage
And it required all the nerve she
possessed to keep from screaming
when once in the hall she saw the
avalanche of roaring fire at the farth-
er end.
Charlie led her directly toward it,
yet she trusted him implicitiy-it was
a glorious symbol of the power he
was to exercise in all time to come,
if so be they escaped with their lives.
The stairs at last.
Another minute and it might have
been too hazardous to attempt a de-
scent-but that small space of time
has won kingdoms ere now.
Down one flight-that much was
saved them at any rate. even should
the worst happen.
When they started upon the second
descent, it was like running the
gauntlet; fingers of fire stretched out
yearningly toward them, and one even
came so close that Airline involuntar4
lily uttered a scream, thinking Char
lie, who had thrust his body on that
side. was doomed.
This narrow escape told him that
it would be utterly impossible to make
any further use of the stairway in
advancing their cause, since below it
was wreathed in flames.
Their only course was to retreat
from the fire as far as possible. and
there await rescue or provide for it
through their own ingenuity.
Still they heard the shrieks of fear
distracted women, covering in cor
ners or rushing wildly through the
corridors calling for the help that
could never reach them.
Such a scene of horror must haunt
one while life lasts, so fraught with
human suffering and the utter ina
bility to render aid.
He had not calculated wrongly;
while the smoke remained more dense
than ever, the danger of immediate
fire was not so great, although he saw
it pushing toward them from three
separate and distinct quarters, as
though closing in upon its victims.
An open window at the end of the
hall was Charles objective point.
He had hopes of discovering there
the iron ladder that would enable
those who had the nerve to grasp its
W dAOp W odlcly DtlON.
Alas! disappointment awaited him;
keen and cutting, since there was no
such avenue of escape provided in
this quarter.
1t was a dizzy distance down to the
street, and only a maddened brain
could conceive the idea of leaping out
into space.
Charlie leaned out to survey the
situation.
Immediately roar of warning arose
from thousands of throats below,
while arms waved him back, doubtless
under the belief that he meant to
take the mad plunge.
He was not quite reduced to such
an insane policy-his resources had
not yet been exhausted.
Charlie had his bearings now-he
remembered the lay of the land
surely there must be better chance
of escape in the rear.
Turning into another corridor, which
led in the desired quarter, he pushed
on. Airline clung to his arm with
whitened face and eyes that reflected
the horror of her soul, but, thank
Heaveni as yet her steps did not fall
ter, nor did she give any signs of
collapse, while his great courage re-
manned to buoy her soul up.