The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1903-05-15
CHAPTER XVI

There was a wing whore the Gre did
not as yet appear to have secured a
fouthold
II they could but reach that section.
which would be- the last to feed the
flames. apparently. their escape was
almost a certainty
Accordingly Charles FIRST action.
after taking Airline In his arms. was
TO ascertain whether his surmlse we're
correct. or 90 he had deceived himself
There was great relief when ho
found that q passage led on directly
toward the quarter where relief
seemed to hold out hope
The smoke filled Il almost TO suho'
cation, and his heart misgayo him as
he caught a docting glimpse OF urid
glow through the haze. that warned
him tho fire demon was working oven
In this quarter. uparlne nothing.
Tho smoke grew moro dcnse-it
seemed TO almost paralyzc his very
brain; hls Dyes amartod and burned
as though scared with rod.hot irons;
his senses roclod. yet. with tho indom.
table pluck OF a true soldier. he
pressed crImly ON, sholtering Airline
as well aa he could with the cloak she
wore. and which proved n hloraing In
more ways than had entered into hls
reasoning at the umo no nrst claspcd
lt about her.
Every yard which they covered
brought Thorn closer 20 their goal.
ttstnr. TrVItf.ns Fs.IsrHH.. H.r.H. -.-.Ifs.V
10 bear them down 10 safety
This was tho hope that sustained
Charlie IN the midst OF all this des.
perate ordoal-that an oasis lay bo-
yond, the pure air OF heaven awaited
them, once they passed the barrier.
lilo was weak and lettering himself.
from the effect Of HIS oxortlons and
the pungont smoke, that many times
overcomes daring ere lsddlos as they
venture a trlne too far-and yet he
thought only OF Airline thought she
must be In a condition OF collapse.
Nothing else could have possessed
him 70 suddenly snatch her up IN his
arms and stagger on through the
binding. choking smoke.
At FIRST she struggled but when
he pressed hor more nercely to his
heart she lay passive.
Staggering alone like drunken
man. Charlie endenvored to pass the
Rubicon-that spot where the sullen
glow was now continuous. and in
which he was presently 20 DO cngulfod.
Just at the critical spot. whoro tho
flames were bearing down along an.
other passage he sank heavily to the
floor.
Was this the end?
Had his brave fight como to naught2
In that dread moment. when defoat
stared him In the face. his heart al.
most broke.
airline had meanwhile struggled out
Of his arms, for she had gone down
with him.
"oh. Charlie. what shall ! do?" she
cried. in her wild alarm and distress.
for the sea OF flame appeared so very
close that Il seemed ms though the
dread crisis were upon them
FLY ny! Yondor lies safety" he
cried. trying to get upon bis knees,
only 20 fall back. lie had sheltered
her at the expense Of his own strength.
and now must pay the penalty
But you-l can't leave you herel"
she fobbod. bending down to put her
arms about his neck.
"You must There IS no hope for
me- II I can win crawl on but you
-must-gol God forbid We should
both perish herel Kiss me, Airline,
and gol"
NO. mol could notl DO not ask
mo-"
1T is my desire; mako haste Or
Oh. Hoayenl It ia even now too latoi"
as a tongue Of fame shot across the
passage beyond.
Airline gave a shrek.
She frightened her hold upon him;
desperation gave her strength. for she
dragged the almost senseless man
along toward safety.
Guardian angels must have held
back those cruel fangs until they had
passed the fatal place, for hardly we're
they beyond than, with a rush and a
roar. the abyss Of FIRE swallowed up
the spot where Charlie had been over
come.
sun she dragged him along. Love
gave her a power she had never known
before; under It's magical influence
weaklings become strong as lions and
perform prodlgies OF yalor.
Through the smoke. almost over
powered by It's awful fumes. sho went
An! were those shouts just ahoad7
She shrioked aloud. and heard answer
Ing cries. cheory cries that gave her
new hope, new ambition.
Then gigantic figures doomed up be-
yond, and Airline swoonsd at the feet
OF tho hremen, who picked both OF
them up In kindly arms and bore
thom into tho fresh air.
Two hours later Charlie. sadly do
moralized so far AS looks went with
bloodshot eyes, singed mustaohe, sans
a portion OF hla eyebrows. and with
sundry burns upon face and handa,
yet bearing a grim look OF happiness
upon his countenHnce, knocked az tho
door Of a room In a neighborlng hotel.
and was admitted by Arlines compAn-