Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1902-11-13
.Jasner was SILENT for a moment

neglected. We have just increased
our stock of materials and should
carry more insurance. l will call up
the agent and tell him to add $4,000
to the amount we are carrying"
AS he turned away from the phone
he said in his usual quiet voice. "We
will resume the letter writing, Miss
Vernon"
The next morning brought the most
momentous day in the history of
the works.
Anna Vernon, seated at her type
writer, suddenly looked up with a
startled air.
"Mr. Gregg" she called, 'the DON
is filing with smoke!"
He looked up quickly, and hurried
to the window.
"The factory is on fire!" he cried,
and ran into the outer Office. Anna
heard his clear voice giving rapid in
structions. In a moment he was back.
"We must get these books and
papers into the SAFE" he cried. There
is a lot of valuable stuff here that
must be saved"
Anna sprang to his assistance, but
the time was brief. In a moment
they heard the roar of the flames,
a black smoke cloud rolled against
the window.
you must leave at once" cried
Jasper, and caught her by the arm,
and drew her through the doorway
and to a side entrance. Then he
turned and ran back into the sitting
smoke.
mir. Gregg" Anna shrieked, and
blindly followed him. "Come back"
she cried from the doorway. "You
will be killed."
This is my place" he shouted. "I'm
sticking to the ship"
81 command you to leave here"
she called to him.
"You command mel" he cried
through the smoke. "I'm master
here"
The girl gave a little cream.
"Jasper!" she cried. "Save me,
save mel"
He dropped the papers from his
hands, and ran to her with a quick
cry. He caught her as she staggered
blindly, and hurried through the Of
flee door to the outer threshold. And
then, just as he crossed it, a heavy
section of the cornice crashed down
on him.
II 20, ,,.o+I 1,tar lnfny, ths
fever left Jasper Gregg, and then
he opened his eyes to find the sur
shining, and the birds singing, and
the white clouds drifting lazily across
the Widowed field. Somebody was
sitting by his bedside. He turned his
eyes a little. 1t was Anna Vernon.
"Wh-why," he stammered. ITS
Miss Vernon" He looked at her
hungrily.- Have you been here all
the time?"
81 haven't been far away" the girl
replied.
Il saw you in my Dreams" he said.
This isn't a dream, is it?"
NO" laughed Anna. cts all quite
real now"
"Would you mind letting me touch
your hand?" he asked.
She put her hand in his and he
closed his wasted fingers upon it.
And I'M l going to get well?"
"Of course you are, and very fast,
too. You had a bad blow on the
head, followed by a fever. But every
thing is coming out all right"
And will / be of any use in the
world again?"
"Of more use than ever, no doubt"
laughed the girl. But l mustn't fiat.
ter you"
and the factory"
pretty soon I will raise you up
so you can see it through the win
dow. We have almost rebuilt it, and
the insurance was sufficient to pay
for everything"
rebuilt it?' murmured Jasper.
"Why, who took charge of the work?"
Il did," said the girl. 81 had good
advisers, and Pm sure everything is
just as you would want it,"
I'm afraid I'm dreaming again."
he said.
"I1l have to wake you up" said
the girl. Listen. What do you
think of our going into the combina-
ton? Wait. It's all settled. We get
the big end of the deal. It's doubled
the value of the plant at the very
start off. But it costs you your
place."
He smiled family.
"Well," he said, 81 did my best. l
have nothing to regret"
"Of course the combination doesn't
mean to be ungrateful," said the girl.
at has made you first vice-president,
with all the responsibility in your
hands, and a $4,000 salary as part
compensation. Wait. Your office is
to be in New York, and just as soon
rs you are well enough you are to go
abroad to advance the combinations
interests"
He closed his eyes, and was quiet
for a little while.
Then he looked at the girl.
81 have never known such happy
moments as these" he said. "It is a
great joy just to lie here and look at
YOU"
"That's a strange sentiment for a
man of action" laughed Anna Ver-
nor, a flush of red stealing across her
cheeks.
"a queer change has come over
me-" murmured Jasper. 81 don't
know what it is. l only know that
what concerns me the most of any,
thing in this world just at the pres
ent moment is the answer to the
question I am going to ask you, Anna
Vernon. If I go away will you G."
with me?"~