The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1903-05-08
ooB,risA, 1901. stree, and smith. New YORK.
CHAPTER XIV.
A Battle Of Giants.

At Aut WlhhhMHt hh Nloubh AtuAg W
plunge through space II the worst
came
They were crazcd for the time be.
ing and could not bo blamed.
Many a precious life went out that
fatal day. that might have been saved
by the exercise Of a little judgment
and GOODNESS. for Of all the attributes
which mortal man lnhorits or ac.
quires these prove the richest legacy
in such time Of actual panic.
Having taken his bearings. and
discovered which way the numbers
ran, Charlie started upon what he be-
lleved was the last leg OF his course.
Now he must speedily realize the
worst; n he came upon Arline's rooms
and found thom empty DE would
know she was somewhere about the
intricate passages. lost and facing
death, as when no nrst found her
What a trayesty OF fate such a
thing would be.
Tragedies were being enacted with.
In those walls. that had many times
echoed with the sounds OF gayety,
and now rang with shrieks; already
the greedy fire hend had cut OF many
from escape, and ycarned to encom.
pass their destruction.
Some doors were closed. but tho
majority stood gaping wide open.
whence the terrified occupants had
fed Just as they were.
In passing one OF these Charlie had
a glimpse OF n lady, richly attired.
bending over an open trunk. evidently
seeking TO lay hold Of her precious
Jewel boxes ere flying.
Mayhap they cost her what all the
Jewels from Cleopatra's day to this
could not replace-life.
Once a woman had seized upon him
--crazod by fear. she clutched him rs
a drowning man might n straw
Charlie could not have his mission
jeopardized by such detention-he
was compelled to break away, shout
ing at the same time for her to 80 Ia
the stairs and descend while the
chance remained. God only knew
how long this golden opportunity
might be held out to them, for the
greedy flames were making hldeous
headway and presently the entire
building would be charnal house
All obstacles had thus far beer
overcome by his iron wlll-determin
cd TO reach and save airline, he hat
swept them aside as the March wine
wh.rls the dust out of It's path.
But the end was moi.
Ono barrier remained.
Charlie suspected 4 not until tn
thing burst upon him, sudden and I'm
expected as lightning from the clea
sky overhead.
Again n OBTAINING hand
This time II brought his forwar'
movement TO complete stop. AM
he realized there was something NOR
serious In the detention than whoi
the poor groyeling chambermaid ha
clutcned his knees.
II was a man; through the haze h
had seen his presence without pas
ing the least attention to him. an
now the fellow, probably as terrific
as the women. frantIcally chung I
him.
ITO the stairs or the fire escape
let go!" shouted Charlie, and whe
the other laughed with deyilIsh gle
in his ear Stuart turned his head {
see close 10 his own the face Of IN
bogus Capt. Brand. transformed b
passion into the countenance OF
fond.
Was II accident or deep design tha
brought Macauley to this floor OF IN
hotel at such a traglcal moment?
When Charlie felt that grip on hi
arm and looked into the maddene
orbs OF the ogre. he seemed to reali2
that a great crisis in his life ha
arrived.
The stake was Arline's lose.
This man might be- Innocent {
guilty OF murderous design. but a
pearances were nightly against hin
His manner indicated as plainly &
words: This far shall you come an
no farther
Instinct warned Charlie to propal
for the worst, to throw himself into
position that was aggressive eve
while defensive
Il was a wise precaution, for n
other. even while he continued
glare malevolently into his face, su
denly threw himself upon Stuart
AS he expected, Charlie found NJ
cauley a man gifted with tremendol
muscular power Like trained at
Ietes, the two men whirled aroun
each seeking the downfall OF a
other.
To Charlie each second meant
closer approach OF doom, while wi
the other the passage OF time broug
savage satisfaction. as his base plal
grew nearer realization.
Charlie retracted a step musteril
every atom of power In his muscul
frame for the storm which he mea
to spring upon the already gloatil
enemy.
Macauley was drunk with the M
eHrF that had seemed 70 be nlreau
within bis grasp
ne thu could be taken on
guard. ana once an retreat, compile
rout must follow,
So sudden was the attack, so ov'
waelming IN It's resisuess energy IN
the ogte fell back IN confusion hal
ly knowing Just how 10 meet
strange a rally.
And Smart folloWpd n uD-he lynt