The evening Republican., 1902-08-15
WINNING
HIS PARDON.
BY EpES W, SARGENT.

MuIJoIlo uIeW ucTStlL up-tU Ill
her small height. She was adora-
bic when she tried to be dignifed.
Rob Carriers admiring eyes told her
SO, but she refused to he pleased.
you seem to forget that you
have offered the same explanation
over and over again, Rob-" she de-
clared Indignantly, ''and!it's not a
reasonable excuse anyway"
Rob tried. to catch hold of her
hands as he began soothiugly, But
you know that it has not happened
often, little girl"
Not often?" she interrupted, and
began counting up on her fingers.
Just five times in the last week, !"
she announced, with an air CT min
gled triumph and anger. Monday
evening at the Smithson's you left
right IN the middle of the supper
dance because you saw your odious
driver reckoning you from the
doorway You never cared whether
I starved or not. I had to get that
that stupid Mr.. Franklin to take
me down and he bored me to death.
"At the Empire Wednesday you
left at the end Of the second act
without so much as a word. l
might have known where you had
gOuc, but waited and waited till
Nell Edmonds took pity OIL me an d
drove me home in her carriage. You
should have heard der eondole with
me all the way! On, you are making
mt laughing stock for every body"
And sine hid her face In the pile Of
cushions On toe dlyan.
Rob presently sat down beside her
"See here, Marjorie. it strikes me
that YOU are making au awful fuss
about nothing, 1t Is not Is II there
W as another girl In the case. You
always have been and always will be
the only girl 20 me. 1t is just that
you can't understand the fascin atiou
the fire department has for me.
When | see Buncs, | forget every
thing else but the fact that there Is
a fro worth going to, and"
"Yes; that's just it!' she cried
raising a flushed and
tear-stained face from the pile OF
cushions.
"You forget all about me.e,' with
a little sob, "and we have been en-
gagged month, and
Rob caught her in his arms. He
never could resist her tears and now
made peace lgnoninlously, promising
never to offend again.
"Bu' remember, Rob-" Majorie
said firmly when quiet had been re-
stored, iii YOU ever rush off to Il fire
again and forget about me l shall
never forgive you.'
But Rob vowel there should be no
next time.
Carter was what IS known, in fire
circles as Il buffalo, or, more tersely,
q 'bltl'. A buffalo is student OF the
fire lighting system who. by courtesy
is permitted to enter the fire lines
and have u private stable Connection
with the tire arm telegraph sys,
TEN.
From a boy Carter had been enthu
slastc over fires. At college he was
the captain Of the student volunteer
fire brigade.
On his entrance into the easy aim
less life of a man at leisure he spar
cd neither pains nor money till he
was granted the privilege of serv-
ing rs a buff" In one corner OF
his stable were a spssly mare and
Il light buggy always ready to go
out when q second alarm Indicated
that the fire was Of sufficient import
ance to call out chief.
His driver Bunce,| always knew
where to find him. His engage
meut to Majorie had put new inter.
ests into his life, but they they
not entirely supplant his Old love.
But matters went smoothly, part
~ through luck and partly through
management, till the night of the
Clarendon dance. Rob was hurry
ng through the lower hail to claim
, promised dance from Majorie.
when his eye fell on Bunce, all ex-
.itelnent.
Come quick" shouted the driv-
,r. ITS the Chaplain house, and
hey rang the third alarm"
Wild excitement over a third
llarm fire swallowed up all thought
If the dance or his promise. He dash
ID down the steps after Buncc, and
While the latter sklllfulIy guided the
'waying buggy he got. into the rough
,Uat that was always carried under
The seat.
The Chaplain was a fashionable res
Dental hotel and occupied an entire
block.
Smoke and flames we're already
out OF its lower stories when
Carter dashed up. He WA man of
II exceptional physique and had al
'eady made severN noted rescucs.
Dawson the chief, hailed him with
'elief.
"Oh, Carter, we're short a chief!
Can't you take II truck arouudto the
carp"
Carter saluted and at once
,ook command Of the rear OF the
Most OF the guests pf the
upper floor had taken refuge there, as
he flames were less fierce. But the
Wind was shifting, driving the fire
SO that there was no time
% raise the ladders
The nets were spread and one by
me the people jumped, all save one
I'D lady. Carter failed to recognize
Ter, he only saw she was too fright
med TO jump.
Selling a scaling ladder, up he
vent. A mar passed him a second
nd he placed il in the window.
,OOn he was on the first ladder hang