Evening journal., 1903-05-29
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,oe, consnicuous. lie would have
lIl,ed to osk Dorothy whether the fact
thot no had gone walking with her for
about half an hour On the previous
evening could account for her fathers
added dspleasure. but Dorothy stood
with the girls who we're TO sing, and TO
speok with her then would have been
consnicuous indeed, FOR Cushing was
not only a parsonage In Denham; he
was also very tall and Dorothy was
nbove the average height, and her
blond beauty was not Of a quiet type.
A conversation between them then
would have attracted the eyes OF the
whole town.
IL was probable that no opportunity
would occur during the day, but one
might be made in the course Of an en-
tertalnment which was TO be given In
the evening, ana TO that Gushing looked
forward. Accordingly, about half past
s o'clock he toiled up the narrow and
crooked stairs leading TO old Arnory
hall. where the entertainment was 10
be held. The stairs led from = side en-
trance TO vestibule. which was on the
front OF the third story OF the big
wooden building. Gushing, pausiHg at
the door, beheld the hall extraordinarily
crowded. He caught glinrse Of Dor
othy's golden crown in the far distance
and instantly afterward mot the cold,
gray eyes OF the general, who STOOD
lust within the portal.
Cushing turned away and looked out
OF the window in the end OF the YES
tibule. Directly across the narrow
street was the Redding block, an old
wooden structure much like Armory
hall. In the second story windows OF
this building he saw a strange light
that wavered, flashed and frightened.
He gazed at It, terror stricken.
with his minds eye Gushing beheld
every incident OF the wild stampede
from this crowded hall that must fol-
low the inevitable cry OF "Firew He
staggered the length OF the vestibule
and came face to face with General
Parker.
General the Reddlng block is on
flrew he whispered.
The old officer Strengthened up until
he was as erect as n youth. He march.
ed to the window. glanced out and then
returned 10 his former position.
A double door separated tho vestibule
from the hall. Only half Of it was
open; the other half was fastened by
movable bolts running UP into the cas-
ing and down into the floor. Cushing
stopped to loosen the lower bolt.
"Don't do that" said the general
calmly in his ear. "PrcteHd that it's
stuck and stand by It. Don't let any
btdy get Il open"
Gushing put his foot on the bolt apt
stared at the general Did he intend &
quell n panic by shutting the peopl'
into the hall?
Ladies' and gentlemen" the genera
began And at the sound OF his reso
nant and commanding voice the hal
became quiet
Then in that very moment Of silenc
arose the wild cry of fire in the street
TIE rush was instQntaneous. Gushing
E felt the shock as the crowd struck TN
I closed part Of the door. He thought
! must break; but men built honestly II
the old days.
$ "Open this doorl open this doorl
n screamed fifty voices.
: Gushing, faint with panic, bent dow
10 the bolt, but the generals words still
u rang in his ears. Frantically he he'll
+ the bolt down, as II it could hay
o jumped out OF the socket without as
y slstance. Nobody within could reac
r It. and those that came out had some
2 thing else to think about. A few me
d turned back, but Gushing pushed theI
d away.
c. 1t takes long time for 500 people /
get through a space four feet wide. es
Is peciaiiy when they are in too much ,
II a hurry. There was terrible jam Q