Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-22

| come into the house and take every- thing we had and neither of us would dare to-"
 "Oh, now I see!" exclaimed Pinkey, in an anguish of despair. You think am timid woman-a coward, afraid of the dark: but will prove that, am every inch a man. I'll prove it!" and, unable to say more. he rushed from the house.
 As he hurried aimiessly along the street his mind was filled with but one thought-that she considered him an effeminate being more ornamental than useful. But he would show ner- he would yet make her acknowledge crash through the country in an auto mobile. or pull In barge in the broil- ing sun, down the bay. But how should he do 1t? He hadn't the least idea of how to bring about an event in which to prove his bravery, and although he chafed at the delay, he was forced to the conclusion that he would have to wait until an opportunity presented it. self. From now on his every energy was bent to this end.
 l He eagerly conned the papers from day to day for accounts of fires or other disasters in which bravery could be shown: and continually pictured himself hanging from the bit of a plunging runaway or dragging his pat tered form--in whose arms reposed a fair victim-from the debris of rail- road wreck.
 As he walked the streets he kept a close watch upon all equines in sight, and was ready to spring at their bri- dles at the first suspicious move; or, If he saw car about to go out uron B bridge or trestle, he waited until it was safely over lest the structure give way and precipitate it to the depths below.
 l Thus he waited on when, one night, as he was returning from his club rather late, he was startled by the sud- den changing of gong behind him, and in another moment an engine and trucks had crashed by m answer to an alarm. Perhaps this was his oppcr- Itunity-who could tell! In another moment he was hurrying along with the throng in the wake of the engine. I The fire proved to be in a large building, one half of which was used as medical college. The smoke was rolling from the windows at the far end of the structure in great black clouds, occasionally lit up by d ltirii tongue of flame. Standing round was great throng, kept back by cor,ion of police.
 Pushing his way through the closely packed mass to the front, he stood for j. moment gazing at the burning build Ing. Perhaps there yet remained some one cut off from escape. Espying an open door at the rear he Suddenly hurled himself from the throng, across the open space and entered. From the door flight of steps led upward, and, dashing up, he found himself in a long hall or corridor which was rapid ly filling with smoke. Getting down on his hands and knees he crept quickly along close to the wall until ne suddenly brought up against 8 door, which, upon being pushed open, chit ted d still greater volume of smoke nearly choking him. He lay still for a moment until he again caught his breath and then pushed into the room. He could not see, but as he crept for ward his hand suddenly struck against something which, on feeling farther, proved to be a human form; evidently someone overcome by the fumes and smoke. When he reached over to grasp the unconscious form to drag ii from the room his hand came in con- tact with another lying close to the hrst. By B superhuman effort he lift sd one of the inanimate forms in his arms and half carried. half dragged il through the hall, down the stairs to the street. Rushing back through the smoke, nearly strangled, he succeeded Tn reaching the other. body and bear Ing it down, when he fell, nearly over come. t#
 Willing hands helped him back across the open space to the crowd where he was at once buttonholed by 9 reporter who inquired his name; the rescued having been taken away ir nmbulances.
 As he slowly proceeded homeward some hours later he, presented sorry ! spectacle; his hat was gone, his clothes were soiled and rumpled, while his collar hung forlorn wreck about his neck. But then what were appear. ences to him now? Hadn't he vindi. cated himself; proved his worth What would she say now? And hii heart leapt at the thought of his vic. tory. -,. .,5 r-S .s5tt
 It was late the next morning whcr he arose, stiff and sore His frs thought was what she would think ol him now when she saw the papers the papers! With bound he was ou of bed, and partially dressed, rushed down stairs and, seizing the morning. paper, just brought in, feverishn :, scanned its columns for an account O. the fire. Yes, there 1t was, in bit headlines v>t "Blg blaze! The Bank block nearl, : destroyed by fire!"
 Following this was an account of tn, fire, but no mention of his part. Yes there 1t was, farther down: