The Elbert County tribune., 1902-10-16
cnArrEn XIV.
when Charlie Kissed Her.

counter took place. and already then
red tongues leaped into view at the
further end of the corridor.
Charlie was painting like hunted
stag. hardly able TO catch his breath
In that smoke-burdened atmosphere
yet. no sooner had he hurled his en-
emy to the floor. and found tie coast
clear. than he started along the hall
way.
Tho numbers on. the doors now
stood out plainly enough. thanks 10
the illumination afforded by tho
flames, and he knew he was close 70
where Airline might be found.
He saw the door was closed.
II gave him shock--thcn she had
not escaped with the irst-she must
stiIl be within her room.
He pounced upon the knob end
turned 1t.
Horrorsl There was no response
the door utterly refused to give
way, being locked within.
Charlie pounded with his fist upon
the panel.
open the door. Arllnei Open. for
Gods sake! The hotel is on firel"
Apparently he shouted loud enough
to arouse the dead. yet no answer
came from beyond.
Stuart knew OF but one resource
lefts-it was a desperate case, and re-
quired n desperate remedy.
He raised his foot.
One mighty blow shivered the lock
as completely as though n battering
ram had been brought TO bear against
II.
The door flew open
Nothing barred his progress now.
and with bound the Briton was in
the room.
Airline lay upon Turkish lounge
the crash OF the door had done what
all else had failed to accomplish, for
she had Just raised her head and was
staring at him with eyes dilating In
horror as they discovered the whirl-
ing clouds of smoke that curled in
after him.
Charlie ran to assist the girl TO
her feet, at the same time calling:
THE hotel is on fire, but be brave,
and I will save you. II, possible!"
His manner Gained her more than
all else.
She looked into his face. and al
though her voice trembled. she kept
a brave front as she said:
Il trust you with my life. Charlie.
Tell me what to do. and God help us
bothi"
Brave little woman! That was what
he thought he. then and there-he
had believed 1t on that former oc-
casion. when she wandered in the
dark Steen dungeons and passages,
and now it was made doubly sure.
II would have been worth something
to Stuart at this critical juncturc,
could he have become possessed of the
valuable information which the fallen
ogre had held regarding the ways and
means of reaching FIRE escape.
AS 1t was. he found himself cast
upon his own resources and compelled
to make virtue of necessity.
One thing was absolutely certain
he could not count on assistance, and
II they escaped it must be through his
persistent and determined work.
Then. again, he kept before his
mind the fact that escape must be
downward-that flight to the roof
would only render their immolation
the more certain.
Each story they could descend
would take them nearer the street
and increase their chances of being
assisted through the medium of the
FIRE ladders.
Charlie had taken his bearings
he knew the fire had not as yet spread
over the entire building. though the
smoke must have done SO ere now.
The stairs he had assembled were
still free from flames. though this
could not long be said, as they were
in jeopardy.
Snatching up cloak which he
found. he pressed II about Airline.
Some craze must have been running
riot in his veins at the time. for as
her sweet face came close to his own
he deliberately kissed her; nor did
she by look or word protest-there
was something almost holy IN the act
1t was as though the man wished
her to know the great love that was
in his heart before they faced the
dreadful ordeal which might be their
destruction. As though he might thus
seal his claim upon the woman he
adored. even though together they
were doomed to journey toward an
other world
Come! Have courage. my darling. +"
he said.
Probably few men on earth have
been given SO strange an opportunity
to declare tieir love. and under such
conditions who could envy Charlie
Stuart the brief spasm of delight
which he experienced. for the first
time he passed his arm about Arline's
waist with a sense of proprietorship.
Love is, strong factor in the race
the girl might have been rendered
frantic with fear had she found her.