The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1903-05-08

The flames had been making hid.
cous progress while this mad en-.
counter took place. and already their
rcd tongues leappd into view at the
further end of the corridor.
Charlie was painting Hike a hunted
stag hardly able to catch his breath
In that smokc.burdoncd atmosphere
yet. no sooner had he hurled his en-
envy To- the floor. and found the coast
clear. than ho started along the hall.
way.
Tho numbers on the doors now
stood out plainly enough. thanks 10
tho illumination Afforded by the
flames, and he knew he was close 10
whore Airline might be found.
lie saw the door was closed.
II gave him a shock-theu she had
not escaped with tho nrst.-she must
still be within her room.
He pouncod upon the knob and
turned H.
Horrorsl There was no response
the door utterly refused TO give
way being locked within.
Charlie pounded with his Est upon
the panel.
"Open the door. Arllncl open, for
Gods sakol The hotel is on frel"
Apparently he shouted loud enough
10 arouse the dead, yet no answer
came from beyond.
Stuart knew OF but one resource
left-it was n desperate case. and re.
CURED a desperate remedy.
He raised his foot.
one mighty blow shiyered tho lock
as completely as though batterlng
ram had been brought To bear against
II.
The door flew open
Nothing barred his progress now.
and with bound the Brlton 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 at him with eyes dilating In
horror as they discovered the whirl.
ing clouds of smoke that curled In
after him.
Charlie ran 20 assist the girl TO
her feet, at the same time calling:
The hotel Is on fire. but be brave,
and viii save you. II posslblel"
His manner Gained her more than
all else
She looked into his face. and al.
though her voice trembled. she kept
brave front us she said:
Il trust you with my life. Charlie!
Toll me what 10 do, and God help us
both!"
Brave llttlo~womanl That was what
he thought her then and there-he
had believed II on that former oc.
caslon. when she wandered in the
dark steon dungeons and passages.
and now II was made doubly sure
II would have been worth something
TO Stuart at this critical juncturo.
could he have become possessed OF tho
valuable information which tho fallen
ogre had held regarding the ways and
means Of reaching n FIRE escape.
As II was, he found himself cast
upon his own resources and compelled
TO make a virtue Of necessity.
one thing was absolutely certain
he could not count on assistance, and
II they escaped II must be through his
persistent and determined work.
Then. again. he kept before his
mind the fact that escape must be
downward-that flight TO the roof
would only render their lmmolatlon
the more certain
Each story they could descend
would take them nearer the street
and increase their chances OF being
assisted through the medium OF the
FIRE ladders.
Charlie had taken his bearings
he knew the FIRE had not as yet spread
over the entire building. though the
smoke must have done 30 ere now.
The stairs he had assembled were
still free from flames, though this
could not long be said. as they were
In jeopardy
snatching up a cloak which he
found, he pressed Il about Airline.
Some craze must have been running
riot In his veins al the time. for as
her sweet face came close 10 his own
he deliberately kissed her; nor did
she by look or word protest-there
was something almost holy IN the act
1T was as though the man wished
her 10 know the great love that was
In his heart before they faced tho
dreadful ordeal which might be their
destruction. AS though he might thus
seal his claim upon the woman he
adored. even though together they
were doomed TO journey toward an
other world.
Come! Have courage. my darling"
he said.
Probably few men on earth have
been given 30 strange an opportunity
20 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 Arlines
waist with a sense Of proprietorshlp.
Love Is a strong factor in the race
the girl might have been rendered
frantic with fear had she found her.
self alone face 10 face with the
threatening destruction, but with his
strong arm 10 lean upon and the
knowledge of his declared passion IT,
sustain her. she could meet the dread
issue with courage.
And II required all the nerve sho
possessed 10 keep from screaming