Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-10-17

1
stag. hardly able to catch his breatl
in that smoke-burdened atmosphere
yet. no sooner had he hurled his en-
emy to the floor. and found the coas
clear. than he started along the hall
way.
The numbers on the doors now
stood out plainly enough. thanks Ii
the illumination afforded by tho
flames. and he knew he was close tc
where Airline might be found.
He saw the door was closed.
II gave him n shock-then she had
not escaped with the first-she pust
still be within her room.
He pounced upon the knob and
turned It.
Horrors! 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. Airline! Open. for
Gods sake! The hotel is on firc!"
Apparently he shouted loud enough
to arouse the dead. yet no answer
came from beyond.
Stuart knew OF but one resource
left-It was n desperate case. and re-
quired desperate remedy.
He raised his foot.
One mighty blow shivered the loci;
as completely as though a batterins
ram had been brought to bear against
IL.
The door flew open
Nothing barred his progress now.
and with n 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 ut him with eyes diiating In
horror as they discovered the whiri-
Ing clouds OF smoke that curied In
after him.
Charlie ran to assist the girl to
her feet. at the same time calling:
The hotel Is on iirc. but be brave.
and will save you. II possibie!"
His manner caimcd her more than
ail else.
She looked into his face. and al.
though her voice trcmblcd. she kept
n brave front as she said:
Il trust you with my life. Charlie.
Tell me what to do. and God help us
both."
/, Brave little woman! That was what
he thought her then and thcrc-hc
had believed IL on that former oc-
caSion. when she wandered In tho
dark Stccn dungeons and passages.
and now II was made doubiy sure.
N Ian - lNs
to Stuart Mt 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 n trc escape.
An II was. he found himself cas-;
upon his own resources and compelled
10 make virtue OF necessity.
Ono thing was absolutely certain
hc could not ooun; on assistance. and
II they escaped I; must be through his
pcFaiHtcnt and determined work.
Then. again. he kept before his
mind the fact that escape mus, h.
downward-thet flight to the roof
would only render their immoiation
ii. more certain.
Each story they could descend
would take them nearer the street
and increase their chances of bcins
assisted through the medium OF the
ere ladders.
Charlie had taken his bcaringH-
he knew the iire had not as yet spread
over the entire building. though the
smoke must have done 10 ere now.
The stairs he had nsccndcd were
still free from flames. though this
could not long be said. as they were
in jeopardy.
Snatchlns up n cloak which he
found. he pressed II about Ariinr.
Some craze must have been running
riot in his veins n, the time. for as
her sweet face came close to his own
he deliberately kissed her: nor did
she by look or word protcat-thcrc
was something almost holy IN the act
lit was rs though the man wished
her TO know the great love that was
in hII heart before they faced the
dreadful Ordcai which might be their
destruction. As though he might thus
seal his claim upon the woman he
adorcd. even though together they
were doomed to Journey toward an.
other world.
Come! Have courage. my darling"
he said.
Probably few mon on Garth have
been given SO strange an opportunity
TO declare their 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 Ariinc's
waist with sense OF proprietorship.
Love is a strong factor in the race
-ths girl might have been rendered.
frantic with fear had she found her.
self alone face to face with the
threatening destruction. but with his
strong arm to lean upon. and the
knowledge OF his declared passion u,
sustain her. she could meet the dread
issue with courage.
And 1t required all the nerve she
possessed to keep from screaming
when once in the hall she saw the
avalanche of roaring FIRE at tho farth.
or end.
Charlie led her directly toward II,
yet she trusted him implicitiy-it was
a glorious symbol OF the power he
was to exercise In all time to come.