The Elbert County tribune., 1902-10-23
CHAPTER XVI.
Al Last.


tirued risk.
There was wing where the fire did
not as yet appear to have secured a
foothold.
II they could but reach that section.
which would be the last to feed the
flames, apparently. their escape was
almost certainty.
Accordingly Charles first action.
after taking Airline In his arms. was
to ascertain whether his surmise were
correct. or II he had deceived himself
There was great relief when he
found that passage led of directly
toward the quarter where relief
seemed to hold out hope.
The smoke filled II almost to suffo-
cation. and his heart misgaye him as
he caught fieeting glimpse of lurid
glow through the haze. that warned
him the fire demon was working even
in this quarter, sparlng nothing.
The smoke grew more dense-it
seemed TO almost paralyze his very
brain; his eyes smarted and burned
as though scared with red-hot irons;
his senses rceled. yet. with the indom-
table pluck of true soldier, he
pressed grim,y on. sheltering Airline
as well as he could with the cloak she
wore. and which proved blessing in
more ways than had entered into his
reasoning at the time he first clasped
It about her.
Every yard which they covered
brought them closer to their goal.
where doubtless friendly hands waited
to bear them down to safety.
This was the hope that sustained
Charlie In the midst of all this des-
perate ordeal-that an oasis lay be-
yond. the pure air of heaven awaited
them. once they passed the barrier.
He was weak and totterlng himself
from the effect of his exertions and
the pungent smoke, that many times
overcomes daring fire laddies as they
venture trifie too far-and yet he
thought only of Airline. thought she
must be in a condition of collapse.
Nothing else could have possessed
him to suddenly snatch her up In his
arms and stagger on through the
binding choking smoke.
At first she struggled. but when
he pressed her more fercely to his
heart she lay passive.
Staggering alone like a drunken
man. Charlie endeayored to pass the
Rubicon-that spot where the sullen
glow was now continuous, and in
which he was presently to be engulfed.
Just at the critical spot, where the
flames were bearing down along an
other passage, he sank heavily to the
floor.
Was this the end7
Had his brave eght come to naught?
In that dread moment, when defeat
stared him in the face, his heart al
most broke.
Airline had meanwhile struggled out
of his arms. for she had gone down
with him.
"ch. Charlie. what shall do?" she
cried. in her wild alarm and distress.
/ for the sea of flame appeared so very
close that 1t seemed as though the
dread crisis were upon them.
"F'lyl nyl Yonder lies safety" he
cried. trying to get upon his knees.
only to fall back. He had sheltered
her at the expense of his own strength,
and now must pay the penalty.
but you'll can't leave you here."
she sobbed, bending down to put her
arms about his neck.
You must There is no hope for
mel II can will crawl on; but you
-must-gol God forbid we should
both perish herel Kiss me. Airline.
and go,'
NO. ao-I could not! Do not ask
mel"
at is my desire; make haste Or
oh, Heavenl It is even now too late!"
as a tongue of flame shot across the
passage beyond.
Airline gave a shrek.
She frightened her hold upon him,
desperation gave her strength, for she
dragged the almost senseless man
along toward safety.
Guardian angels must have held
back those cruel fangs until they had
passed the fatal place, for hardly were
they beyond than, with rush and a
roar. the abyss of fire swallowed up
the spot where Charlie had been over
come.
Still she dragged him along. Love
gave her power she had never known
before; under its magical influence
weaklings become strong as lions and
perform prodigies of valor.
Through the smoke. almost over
powered by its awful fumes, she went.
All were those shouts Just ahead
She shrieked aloud, and heard answer
ing cries. CHEEKY cries that gave her
new hope, new ambition.
Then gigantic figures loomed up be
yond. and Airline swooned at the feet
OF the firemen. who picked both OF
them up in kindly arms and oore
them into the fresh air.
Two hours ater Charlie. sadly de
moralized so far as looks went. with
bloodshot eyes, singed mustache. sans