The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-29
By Ceor re X enry

I'm hanged if Abingdon is best man in
this case" said Crank Goodall.
.'Leastways," said Harry Wales, Emily
thinks SC"
The speaker, who was boss Of the Char
ing Cross division of the Metropolitan fire
brigade was big. broad, burly man, with
square shoulders, a broad forehead. keen,
gray-green eyes Of penetrating power,
head of brown hair turning gray over the
temples. and a stern. impassive expression
Yet as he spoke there was wistful look
I'm his right eye and soft touch about his
mouth which seemed to hint that he felt
somewhat uncertain about the matter in
question.
The two men confronted each other In
the fire station. GoodaIl was one of the
latest recruits 10 the brigade-a youth or
twenty-five, well-built, and with the spirit
~ a lion. He had rapidly become favor
ite with Old Harry and all his comrades
In the division, but though popular with
them he would have given all their favor
for one kind glance from Emily. the boss's
only daughter, a young girl of nineteen.
Alas, however, for Goodall! Two months
ago Emily had dashed all his hopes by
rushing into a hasty marriage with Ralph
Abingdon, a brilliant man OF conspicuous
talent, who had suddenly appeared on the
scene AMI carried everything before him.
at tell you, Frank. said Old Wales, 'I
have a kind OF queer feeling in me here
about this Job. Emily and Abingdon have
taken wonderfully to each other. and 1t kind
of reminds me of the way she used to play
when she was a lass with that Wild scamp.
Jack Broadhurst. whom adopted have
often told you the story. His father was
mate Of mine when first joined the bril-
gade. At the big fire in Tooley street poor
Broadhurst lost his life. We were up in the
fourth story of a grain warehouse, and the
flames were raging thick and high above
US. Our orders were to carry the hose to
the next gable, which was threatened by
the fire. We had just reached the point,
our clothes burnt off our backs. our faces
einged, even our brass helmets cracking
with the heat. Broadhurst was Ia front;
we held the hose together and played 1t on
the gable. which was beginning to smoke
VIII the whistle never blown he sud
denly asked me. 4 can't hold out much
longer
"'The boss won't forget u.s. answered.
Hold tight, old chap.
You see. we were standing on ten-inch
was all up with him.
you'll see to Jack, mate he called out
as he sank into the flames that ragged below.
land before heaven. Frank. 1 did my part
by the lad. He was kid of seven years
when we took him in. Emilys mother was
alive then. you know. The two children
were brought up together, and a right
merry little pair they were. Then at about
n of~ chs ftxrar he
boy His father had always been a wild
sort, and suppose he got 1t from him;
leastways. nothing would hold him in. He
fair broke the poor wifes heart, for she
had do@e a lot by him. L lectured him,
licked him, I dtd all that even a father
could; but no, nothing would keep him
back. He disappeared one Wednesday
morning. and never a sight of him have
had since Poor Emily was awfully down
for q while. but she was young then, you
know, and she got over it. When you began
to come about the house, Frank, think it
did her heap Of good. But this man
Abingdon has got kind of way with him
which would turn any girls head. 1t has
even bewitched myself, and you know I'm
not easily carried away"
How do you explain 1t. wsles?' asked
Its more than / can explain, Frank, ex-
cept 1t be there's something in Ralph
Abingdon that kind of reminds me of Jack
Broadhurst, who bolted from our house ten
years ago. Heaven knows did my part by
the ladi We were always mates, his faith
er and I. and if the boy was to come back
to-day wouldn't turn him from my door.
There Is a warm corner in my heart for
Broadhurst's son; aye, and there always
will be-"
eyes. yes" said Goodall. that is all
right, boss. but 1t don't alter the fact that
Emily has married man who comes from
no one knows where. and Of whom no man
in London knows anything
''Tuts. tuts, lad, you're still jealous! Take
your defeat like a man. We can't win all
the prizes in life. Make the best of it."
'Ah!' said Frank Goodall. with sigh.
sTf only you knew how 1 feltI i am all
alone In this world. never knew father nor
mother. never knew anybody that 1 cared
for much. until came to your house and
first saw Emily"
The two men shook hands. Even the firm
lips OF the iron-hearted boss trembled.
Cheer UP. Frank" he said, "the mar
rage has made a difference to me too, lad.
She was all that had. now that her moth
or Is gone. ! thought 1t was for the best.
would not stand in the way of her happi-
aess, and you must look at it that way,
Too, Frank. She wished Abingdon, she says
she loves him, and we won't spoil two lives,
wiz we, lad? There's duty to be done in
the world, and II fortune has been rough
On you IN this game, maybe it will put
metal into you The man who has no one to
care for and no one to care for him, is the
chap I Hike for a mate. I feel easy about
him in the time OF danger. He will never
abandon a mate. and. by heavens! will
never abandon him."
Once more the firm, strong hands were
elasped together. At the same moment the
firs alarm rang, and the next instant the
whole station was in commotion. 1t was
the beginning OF winter, and as the brigade
dashed UP the street the first snow-fiakes
were falling into the depths of the London
fog. The alarm had come from a house near
Long Acre, and when the engines arrived
at the spot the fire had burst through the
roof; the building was doomed. A crowd
had gathered in 'front.' and as soon as the
brigade drew up the people began to shout,