Middletown transcript., 1903-10-24


exits, crowded with struggling
masses of people. II they would
only go quietly, he added de
spairingly, and wouldn't get 50
excited, propably there would oe
little danger. 1t may be a long
time hafore the fire gains ground
and one may as well face it as De
crushed to death among those
brutes.
The noise was tremendous, but
Chesteron's sharp ears caught
one sentence which caused him
dismay-The fire is below, and
the stairs are already catching!
He turned to Addie.
Come with me, he said hastily.
We must not stay. lean protect
one of you at a time, and l Will
return for Monica.
| can't leave her! Adde'S lips
we're firmly set. You take her
I will stay here, and, If you
can, you come back for me.
Addie, I can't! Aldwyth spoke
sharply. I cant leave you-you
must come! I love you!
Then, for my sake, take Mon
ica first, she replied resolutely.
I will come back as soon as
I have seen you into safety.
Come, Addie, we must not waste
moment.
1 can't 60! Aldwyth, if you
love me, do as I ask! I can't
leave the child! Fancy If she
came to herself, all alone! She
would rush into the crowd and
perhaps be killed. ! will be
quiet and remain here until you
come back. Oh, take her first
It may be good bye for ever
for you and me.
That's better Il han that should
desert Monica. I can't! | woni
60! But if you will do this
see she is moving! Don't refuse
me! Take her, Aldwyth, and i
it is not too late, if you come
back for me /
You will love me and be my
wife?
/ willard learn to love you
He bent down, kissed her, ano
then raised Monica from the seat
If I live I will come back, ht
said. Goodbye, my love, in cas'
I should fail! Stay where yoI
are, Addie, for fear I shoule
waste time when I return. On
no account venture into the crust
alone. Stay here.
willard will watch for you
Thank you, Aldwyth. Addi'
bent and kissed Monica's livit
face, and then held out her hant
to him. l believe that you low
me, she said. Goquickly!
When they were out of sigh
Adde'S courage began to deser
her. The noise was terrifying
the smoke was getting thicker
and she was left, possibly, t.
die alone. She sat down on tn
seat and began to cry. Tn
promise that she had given no
to move was, in itself, terrifying
Suppose she should see tn
flames coming nearer and neare
and yet be bound to wait TO
Aldwyth, who himself might b
killed! Then, again, she nigh
be badly burned before he cam
there was no one very near
for even the more cOurageOu
who had waited until the wors
Of the crush was over were leay
ing. Could she keep her wor
and stay after every one ha
gone from around her?
The time passed, and althoug
there were no flames to be seer
the smoke rolled out in dens
masses; but there was no grea
increase Of heat, as she ha
feared. Perhaps Aldwyth wa
already on his way back to hel
He was there! He came up
her, breathless, black, and yer
wet.
Come! he cried. We have 4
time to lose. Put my overco;
round you-and he drew it Of
and wrapped it around her d
spite her remonstrances.
But-Monica? You have n,
had time
I took her through the wors
Seeing man I knew, I gave h
into her charge, and he promise
to see her into place. Of safet
Hold tightly, Addie!
Is the theatre burning?
Yes-one place is bad-unfo
tunately tits on the stairs. On
one or two can pass at tim
and it may give way. The e
gines have come, and the no
is playing-but so far witho