The Washington times., 1903-02-01

DeaullfuI she looked IN her loose white
wrapper. with her hair huned about, and
fright In her eyes.
They went to the staircase. A battalion
Of black smoke and red fame charged up
at them.
There's a stairway at the other end
of the hall. sara Drummond; perhaps
We could go by that
No use" parted Danforth, and he
pointed to the fame that was already
licking around the corner at the far end
Of the hall. Wen have to go by the
window of your room.
They go into the room and shut the
door. Danforth began to uncoit the
rope. IT'S not very dangerous. if thu
IRE doesn't get here before we get away.
You must 90 first. Mrs. Drummond. Bet
ter put something under your arms so
that the rope won't cut you So
and he slipped the loop over her shout
ders and drew it tight Now. If you are
ready, get out on the sill. and let your
self over Wen hold you perfectly Sc
cure. and it won't take minute"
She hesitsted for the shadow Of a
second. Her face grew white Then she
turned and kissed her husband. and
stepped away quickly upon the window
sill. She swung of. bumped against the
wall. aid cried out. The men lowered
her rapidly. but for all that it seemed
as If she would never reach the ground.
It was getting hotter and the little
waves of smoke were oozing IN by the
door.
At last the rope sIaekened. They
could see her lifted in the arms Of the
men, white dot in tie blackness. The
rope swung free, AID. Danforth pulled
it back with great jerks.
NO, no. interp7sed Drummond. =
can slide down it 1t wiz take TOO
long to lower me-. and you mustn't take
any risks. Wait till get my wife's
jewels; I can save them. He made a
dive for the drawer. and took out the
jewel case. which he slipped into his
pocket The glass in TIE transom
cracked and the flames peered in and
lit up the room.
Did you ever swarm down rope2"
asked Danforth. as he looked at the
young mans hands.
no; but 7 can try II fall" But
the other cut him short and flung the
moose over his head. almost roughly.
Now. you're on" he urged. and the
young fellow went over the sill He
was not heavy. but Danf6rth was out
of training. His muscles strained and
his joints cracked. as the rope paid out
slowly. His eyes smarted, and once rs
had to take a hitch around the hook
and lean out for breath. Then he shut
his eyes and lowered away. but his
breath came fast and his head was
dizzy
Again the rope slackened With a
gasp Danforth sprang upon the sill and
let himself over He twisted his leg
into the rope and swung Of. He
breathed more freely after he got away
from the window. but the hemp grew
hot under his hands. and he thought
he must let go. But again his mind
helped his muscles, and he still went
down, down past the second window,
out Of which the flames were darting:
down. until be dropped into the arms
that we're reached up to him. There
was a cheer from the sympathetic
crowd that had gathered in the street.
Young Drummond caught him by the
hand You have saved our lives, he
said, simply, aud I thank you You
are an old friend of my wife, believe
Yes. put in Mrs. Drummond. this
is Mr. Danforth-and this is ny hus-
band, Mr.. Francis Drummond- But how
did you happen to come 10 us2
Danforth rested for a moment to gain
his senses
Easy enough TO explain # one were
to explain it." he said. with an at
tempt at a laugh. I am a wolf in
Sleeps clothing But you mustn't stand
here There's a hotel a little way
around the corner: you would better 20
there We can do no good for this place.
It's gone up It isn't pleasant TO lose
ones clothes. but such things have to be
borne"
Mrs Drummond placed herself be-
tween the men. and took an arm Of
each. Thus they walked through the
crowd of people. stopping now and then
to look back at the burning building.
At the hotel steps Danforth paused 81
shall have to 80 back" he explained.
4 have some things TO look after. You
would better go straight to bed. You
can do nothing till morning. Then you
can get fitted out It's too bad-and a
wedding journey. too