Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-09-04
cssSrish, 1901. Street and smith. New York.
CHAPTER Xv.-(Continued.

Cezyright 1901. Street and Smith. New York.
CHAPTER Nv.-(Continued.)
The idea which he had conceived to
the effect that the chances might be
better IN the rear of the hotel as COM
pared with the sides facing upon the
thoroughfares was at least reason
able.
He believed some unseen hand guild
ed him. and there was a 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
this fleeting glimpse into paradise,
just as Moses was allowed to look
over into the Promised Land, and
then snatch him away forever.
1t was this positive belief in ulti-
mate escape that bore him up so well,
that kept his brain as clear as 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 off. so fiercely did
the savage flames roll along.
Luckily an opening occurred,
through which he rushed, half bearing
Airline.
To retreat meant destruction, as
he well knew, and their only hope
now was to push grimly on.
One thing favored them-close to
the fire the smoke was not so SUMO
cating-in some of the corridors 1t
was so dense that many poor. bewil'
dered, wandering souls must have
been asphyxiated long before the fire
reached them.
Charles first hope was to find some
stairway designed for the help, If such
existed, through which the fiery
streamers 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 chance offered, IL
one could but reach the next lower
floor. but it was not open to them
here.
Quick as a flash he darted into an
adjoining room; it had two beds in
1t, 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 the flames.
Again he looked down; everything
appeared favorable-at least, there was
as yet no sign of flames bursting out
below him.
How furiously ne worked!-how with
clinched teeth he tested each knot!
That rude rope was to bear a burden
that was very precious to him, and he
did not mean 1t should betray him.
It was all done in an incredibly
short time, though doubtless under
such fearful strain 1t seemed hours
to those whose lives and future happi-
ness hung by thread, as it were.
Charlie knotted one end around Ar
line. while her eyes looked into his
with a 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.
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.
lie forget how she looked into his eyes
as she crouched there on the broad
sill of the window, and gave him even
a 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 midair
with only a 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 at