Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-10-17
cssyrish. 1901. Stree. and Smith. Ne. Yors.
CHAPTER XIV.
A Battle OF Giants.

A Battle oil Giants.
Some OF the most frantic hovered
at the windows. as though ready to
plunge through space II the worst
came.
They were crazed for the time be-
ing and could not be blamed.
Many precious life went out that
fatal day. that might have been saved
by the exercise Of little judgment
and coolness; for Of all tho attributes
which mortal man inherits or nc'
quires these prove the richest legacy
in such time OF actual panic.
Having taken his bearings. and
discovered which way the numbers
ran. Charlie started upon what he be.
lleyed was tho last leg OF his course.
Now he must speedily realize tho
worst; II he came upon hrline's rooms
and found them empty. he would
know she was somewhere about the
intricate passages. lost and facing
death, as when ne first found her.
What n travesty OF fate such n
thing would be.
Tragedies were being enacted with.
in those walls. that had many times
echoed with the sounds OF sayety.
and now rang with shrieks: already
the greedy fire iiend had cut on many
from escape. and yearned to encom'
pass their destruction.
Some doors were closed. but the
majority stood gaping wide open.
whence the terrified occupants had
fed Just as they were.
In passing one OF these Charlie had
glimpse OF lady. richly attircd.
bending over nm open trunk. evidently
seeking TO lay hold OF her precious
Jewel boxes ere flying.
Mayhap they cost her what all the
Jewels from Clcopatra's day to this
could not rcplacc-lifc.
Once n woman had seized upon him
-crazcd by fear. she ciutched him rs
a drowning man mlght n straw.
Charlie could not have his mission
jcopnrdlzcd hy such dcicntinn-ho
was compelled TO break away. shout.
Ing nt the same time for her to 30 TO
tho stairs and descend while the
chance remained. God only knew
how long this golden opportunity
H'NA NuA W AANAAs Wv
greedy flames were making hidcouS
hcadway and presently the entire
building would be n oharnai house.
All obstacles had thus far been
overcome by his iron will-dctarmin'
cd to reach aud save Airline. he had
swept them aside aA the March wind
whirlS the dust out OF It's path.
Hut the end Wna uOf
One barrier remained.
Charlie suspected = not until the
thing burst upon him. sudden and un'
expected aS lightning from the clear
sky overhead.
Again a OBTAINING hand.
This time IL brought his forward
movement TO complete stop. aud
he realized there was something more
serious In the dctcEtlon than when
the poor gruyclInE chambcrmald had
ciutchcd his EnCcH.
Il was n man: through the haze hc
had seen his presence without pay.
Ing the least attention to him. and
nov the fellow. probably HS terrified
aa tho women. fraEt!cally elunK to
him.
To tho stairs or the firc cacapc!
let go!" shouted Charlie. and when
the other laughed with dcvilish sicc
In his car Stuart turned his head to
Ecc close TO his own the face of tho
bogus Capt Brand. transformed by
passion into tho countcnance OF
fond.
Was II accident or deep design thst
brought MacaulCy to tiIiH floor of the
hotel at such n tFagicai momont7
When Charlie felt that grip on his
arm and looked into the maddcnch
urbH Of the ogre. hC Rccmcd TO realize
that great crisis in his life had
arrived.
The stake was Arlinc's love.
This man might be innocent or
guilty OF murdcruus design. but mp.
pcaranccs were nightly against him.
His manner indicated Rs plainly IA
words: This far shall you come and
no farther"
Instinct warned Charlie TO prepare
for the worst. to throw himself into a
position that was aggressive even
while defensive.
II was wise prccaution. for the
other. even while he continued to
glare maicyolcntly into his face. sud.
denly threw himself upon Stuart.
As he expected. Charlie found Ma.
caulcy man gifted with tremendous
muscular power. Like trained ath.
lotcs. the two men whirlcd around.
each seeking the downfall of the
other.
To Charlie each second meant n
closer approach Of doom. while with
the other the passage OF time brought
savage satisfaction. as his base plans
grew nearer realization.
Charlie -tracted step mastering
every atom OF power in his muscular
frame for the storm which he meant
TO spring upon the already glc-ting
enemy.
D Macaulcy was drunk with the sue.
cess that had seemed to be already
within HIS grasp.
He thus could he taken off his
guard. and once in retreat. complete
rout must follow.
So sudden was the attack. so over.
whelming in its resistlcss energy that
the ogre fell back in confusion. hari.
ly knowing just how TO meet so
strange n rally.
And Stuart followed 1t up-he knew