Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-01-28


escape could reach them; his quick
eye had caught the sight OF flames
breaking out from beneath, and with a
swift pang through his heart he telt
that if she was to be saved il was by
MIN, and him alone.
Wait hcre!' he said, putting his
hand on her arm to reassure and EN-
courage her. Keep close to the win
dow and get as much air as possible.
will not be moment"
Then as she smiled up in his face
in token of obedience, he sprang up
the few steps and entered the paint
ing-room. AS he did so he heard a
sharp, Kissing sound against the walls;
it was the hydI ants playing round the
window where Joan stood. With the
rapidity OF a man fighting for life
against time, BERTHE got together all
the rope that he could find. and for
tunately there was a quantity lying
about and joining it into one long
piece, he cooled it up and returned to
Joan.
Help me-" he said, feyerishly; and
he showed her how to make a 5ilp-
knot, while he passed one end OF the
rope round the rough but strong
balustrade OF the stairway.
While he was dong it the shouts OF
the crowd grew louder, and took TO
themselves a note OF warning.
He knew what it meant, and that
there was not moment to lose
Now" ne said, and he slipped the
nose under her arms. You will be
brave, Will you not? 1t is my only
chance of saving you, Put out your
hands and keep yourself from
striking against the wall"
Joan locked at him.
You were going to let me down."
she said. standing close to him.
Were? | ami" he said eagerly.
Step on to the window ledge and let
yourself down; close your eyes and do
not fear. You shall not come to any
harm"
n But still she stood looking at him.
And your she said, in a low, in
tense voice.
"I?' he said. impatiently "Oh, l
am all right. They will reach me
somehow. | can go down the rope
after you. For Heavens sake, be
quick Hark! They are shouting to us
that there is no time to lose"
Still Joan hestated
You cannot go down that rope
after me by yourself" she said, catch.
ing his arm. You are tired worn out.
Look how your hand trembles, All! /
see what you mean: you would save
me, and stay here and die! | will not
go! No! We will stay together"
The sweat broke out on his face and
his heart seemed to stand still.
For the sake of Heaven" he cried,
do not hesitate!"
She smiled at him, and the smile
fingered in his memory for years
afterwards.
Il am not so fond of life, my friend, %
she said. No: We will stay together"
There was no time for further
parley, Desperate, reckless, Berthe
made the rope fast, and, securing her
in his arms, murmured: "Oh, forgive
me-" and put her outside the window.
She chung to him for moment with
a convulsive shudder, but BERTHE put
her hands from him tenderly, rever.
emily, and then, springing back to his
rope, let her down gently.
A roar of surprise and delight rose
from the crowd, a roar which grew in
volume and frenzy as the slim figure
of the girl who had become a popular
idol swung and swayed in the air. the
red lisht falling on her beautiful face.
1T is Ida Trevelyan!" the moi
shouted "Hurrah! Keep up your
heart miss, You're all safe. All
safe, Bravo"
Slowly, steadily she came down; the
crowd swayed to and fro in its excite.
ment. Men shouted themselves
hoarse. women shrieked and screamed
in mad hysteria, and all made one
frantic effort to get near her, as II
every hand wanted TO touch her and
seize her first.
Then, suddenly from the center OF
the crowd, man broke, and dashed
himelf towards the spot to which she
was descending. White, speechless,
his eyes fixed on her in wild, despair
ing glance, he fought his way, until he
was close beneath her, Then the light
Falling ON his face, the crowd saw ana
recognized aim.
1t vas Mordaunt Royce.
His were the hands which first
seized her, and as she fell fainting
into his arms yell of triumph went
up from the mob.
Then rose a cry.
ms man, the mani" and a thou.
SAND eyes were fixed on the window.
AT which Berthe had again appeared.
They saw him lean over. as If to see
whether she was safe, then he sprang
on the ledge, and grasping the rope
hrmly, began to climb down. AS he
did SO there was an awful crash. and
the roof fell in. A shower of states
and charred woodwork fell round him.
some of them striking him. but stin
BERTHE chung on.
The crowd was now rs silent ss the