The Elbert County tribune., 1902-10-16
| nralanche Of rOarIag arc al the fartl..

ayalancne u ioat'H6 49, - $50 Aot .it'
er ,.nd.
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.
1 II 80 be they escaped with their lives.
The stairs at last.
Another minute and IL might have
been 100 hazardous TO attempt de-
scent-but that small space OF time
| has won Kingdoms ere now.
Down one fight-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
yearning.y toward them. and one even
came so close that Airline involuntar-
| ily 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 1t
was wreathed In flames.
Their only Course was to retreat
from the fire as far as possible. and
there await rescue or provide for 1t
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 tho help that
could neSer reach them.
Such scene OF horror must haunt
one while lie lasts. SO franght with
human suffering and the utter ina
billty 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
1t 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
rounds TO drop to safety below
Alasl disappointment awaited him,
keen and cutting. since there was no
Suth dNcnuc VI coSapc piONiucu III
this quarter.
II 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
th.t dc nf &c
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 hdi
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-
NAMED to buoy her soul up.
The situation grew more intense
with every passing second. and Char
lie knew all too well that unless for
tune speedily gave them an opening
1t would be too late. since the fire was
now sweeping with remorseless fury
over the main portion of the doomed
structure.
Charlie Stuart knew he had to solve
the profile moi his existence, as well
as that of the gentle being who clung
SO eagerly to his arm.
No man was ever better equipped
for the fray.
He had everything to urge him on
to superhGmaf efforts abounding
life. with all that means to healthy
young man. and. besides, the knowl,
edge that he was beloved by the girl
to whom his heart had gone out.
Yes, If ever a man had reason tS
strive with might and main for vic
tory, It was Charlie Stuart.
Manfully he met the requisition.
ITO be continued.)