Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-03-27
CRATER xxn-coaupprs

"O1ivs-he bent his head towards
hsr sn6 put into his voice and into his
word ali ths -szrnsstness he could com
man9-"I swear TO yOu that ] ana dy-
Ezg- Remember the time when frs.
YOU came to this house TO find nas re-
member they toad you that I was dead
Ii was not time: pot g0Dr hips 70 raine,
and tel me X You touch my lips or net
tell me that they are flesh and blood
Listen again ] have been pat inEo this
place in order that the bright tiaEaes
You see ali about US may reach me and
lick away my life. OliFe-for the love
Of al The old days cone back 20 life
cnEae back 10 love-"
She hFArd-sh4 understood there
swept In upon her. Ike light. the awful
nature Of the danger. the reality OF
what was happening. II was a real
end living woman with fear and lore
knocking hard al her heart that chung
ahcut the neck OF Gilbert Rickerby and
turned q face OF horror 70 the Fam $
thAt were roaring about thes-L
Quick he whispered. There
where the flames are least-by the
dressing ~tahIe-yOurl End a razor
Ihere-get it-aark az these ropes On.
thank God, thank God. whatever hap
pens. you have come h2-K 10 me.
Quick"
She 6srted across TO tn. table; he
saw her through the smoke, tossing
things wildly In all directions: she came
back IN q moment with something
bright In her hands Soothing with ex-
eitsuent and anxiety and love and JOY
and al combined she bent over, and
A-~s-
him 70 the bAdStsad When he was free
he staggered forward and fen upon his
knees. trembling IS though with an
Rgue.
She ran again to the side OF the room
and csue hack with sesne water. which
she tossed over him Her face was
white and strained and eager, but IL
WIS the fac. OF a woman @ho knew
what she was doing and why she did #
Gilbert Rfckerby staggered to his feet
and laughed aloud for the Fure joy Of
Efe ard freedom
He dashed at the bed and tore OF
sheets and blankets and h~angingS. beat
put the flames that were beginning 10
aek them. and began to tear them up
INTO long strips. Olive understood what
ne was doing. and began. franticaIly.
with teeth and fingers. 10 knot the
strips together. When 9 rope had been
made long enough and strong enough.
he twisted an end Of II sbout her.
caught up the rest over his arm n
struggled towards the window. The
soor was n living sheet Of fame. and he
knew hat they had no chance of escape
ia that direction.
Courage, dear heart ne whispered
TN let you down and slip down n.y.
SELF. You are not afraid
only for YOU she whispered in re-
plv. and stood. calm md firm. by hts
xad.-
He tore open The shutters and rung
mp the sash OF she window. In b
stiffness Of the might he heard the
scream OF q polfcernan's whistle and
The sound OF running feet: the flames
behind them famed by the wind,
reared CD like a furnace. He gripped
.fhs girl Sy the waist and swung her
ap over the window ledge. stsadied her
For q moment. brushed her lips with
his and iet her 40. From the garden
below he heard a clear. quiet voice say
tkat she was all right.
He twisted the md Of the rope over
IN. top OF the shutter ind knottsa IL
srmly. The heat by this time as ter
rfHo. the flames were licking an around
Aim. But he 60, " the window sill
with a firm grip on the rope. and
slipped down into the cool darkness OF
The garden. As he touched the earth
ne felt the girl close beside him. cling
ing 90 him and weeping h~ystericaiIy.
But that was only for q moment
This cool sane Olive. whom he had
called back from darkness and deliri-
I'm. was ready 20 do all that he asked
without question, and in utter trust OF
him They gTipped hands and ran
across the garden: found the gate and
rrIled Il open: and ran out into the
street and sped away like happy chill
aIsn, hand In hand. with sobs and
laughter.