Mower County transcript., 1903-07-15
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RefO,:rn m !. e|rI' 4
By CHARLES N. SHELDON II.
Author Of "In His Steps, = Robert VI
Hardy's Seven Days." Etc.

(
q Author Of "In His Steps, 2 Robert $
Hardy's Seven Days." Etc. i.
Copyright, 1901, by Charles N. Sheldon
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Gordon shut up like new knife and
did not say another word until the
party was back>at Hope House. When
they went out to get the car that went
by at the next block, Falmouth said to
Gordon: Don't get discouraged. But
Oh, my God, what human misery, Cor
don, you social settlement people al
ways have to look at! 1t seems to me
the sight would drive you mad after
awhile. The utter hopelessness of it is
enough to kill the heart of a giant"
"God is not Dead" Gordon answered.
He shook hands all around and thanked
Falmouth and the singers, feeling lit
tie ashamed of his curt silence at the
tenor's refusal to accept his invitation.
Falmouth promised to come down soon
and take tea at Hope House and parted
with Gordon under the impression that
the afternoons experience had brought
them some closer together. %'at, s$5E&
How little any one of us reckons on
the changes that come into all our plans
by the accidents Of life, and vet how
many great events owe their greatness
to apparent trities that are called acci-
dents for want of better name.
Gordon had gone up to see David
Barton that same evening. Barton had
greeted him cheerfully and again as
tonished him by his appearance. They
had fingered long over their evening
talk, and Gordon had interested Barton
tremendously in his account Of the
meeting with Tommy Randall N&> <al
"You scored on him." Barton chuc-
killed.. y. -. -~ii3.. VI. .$@ 4 Is h
II don't know. He is deep in certain
directions. But will know the secret
Of his hold. In fact, l think I have it
already. He will never best me-" Cor
don answered firmly, but modestly. r..
They sat on, postponing bedtime until
the clocks struck IL. 3s s#.
"Time to put the cough on the Shelf"
Barton said. He had not had spell all
the evening, to Gordon's relief . q
Gordon went into his room, which
had windows commanding a view Of
the lower part Of the city. .%$a
He came back instantly and called
to Barton: \ :.
"Come here! Look! Isn't that a
fire over near the end of Bowen street,
Waterside district?" 49,. .:=..},t
Right you arey' Barton exclaimed
quickly. "The Moss street cars will
take us within block. Let's CO."
David, you ought not to risk,
Risk nothing! What's a day or two
more or less! Gomez a.a5y
Gordon put on his hat. Barton threw
ION light overcoat, though the evening
twas not cold, and they went down as
fast as possible. AS they passed out
into the Boulevard and ran over to
the next corner to get the first car a
fine mist swept into their faces. Be,
fore the car came the mist had changed
to drizzlihg rain and breeze had
sprung up. s..~-t g3.s.. x &.
"You ought not to have come" Cor.
don said again. ~' 49, ss,ss,. * ,<
Don't give me away to my cough
Let's fool it as long as possible" Bar
ton said, with grin. 4. IT, .If n $55e
They left the car where it crossed
Bowen street and ran down toward
the place. People We're running Ii
from all the side streets. lE ~. ~, ~, \
tits No. 81, Mr.. Marsh's double
decker!' Gordon painted as they drew
nearer. .~a =. z ~ i4a@d5 4. f$4s.
Barton did not answer. He was
breathing painfully, but did not slack
en- his pace. In college he had beer
the prize winner for the half mile.
The department had stretched cor
don across the street, but the mob dis
. regarded it. Flames were pouring on
of the basement windows Of No. 81
where the bakery was. The wind wa!
rising. sh 42 4 sf E%8s q. 5,s @I, 4, N
"See therep' cried Barton suddenly
He pointed to the upper story Of th,
double decker. A child had come t,
the window. She held out a younge
child in her arms. Fora second sh
stood there in plain view of the crow,
in the street. and then she disappe
In another N noment she came to I'LL
window again. NJ 81 5s5S
- Il "Look! Look = y hundred voice
called Out. Up through the central ali
shaft sixty feet a bove the court &;
j tongue of fame leap ID. II The next iii
stant out Of every win dow except th
row fronting on the street with a rus
and q roar the / IRE bro rattling til
" glass to the ground land licking th
q structure around with hungry
Y greedy, long anticipated delight
The child with her burd eli gofs 4 til
young youn child again appeared at On
of the top wind lows he crowd roared
"a wagon tore around the corner. Ilad
ders ratified as they were pulled out.
They will be too late. They can
d rave her = Barton groaned The Who'll
s, s street was now brigh as noon. III
N child did not cry She stood there, he h
psla face looking down, her arms clasI
q. x.4