The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03

| yeu the SLIP AID cene back and work
on It." --,-~
That was a day Of days. Winter
| reigned kindly. They crossed the riv-
er, and spent the afternoon in the
woods anC along the edge of the
marshes, returning long after the city
was aglow. They had dinner at
cafe, for when one has finished pic.
ture that is TO bring fame and wealth.
economy is sinful thing. Back In
her studio they talked until late, and
life was very kind and sweet.
| The windows were gray with the
cold dawn when he awoke suddenly
| and stared about him. In a moment
he was out of bed and had thrown open
the hall door. Smoke, thick and sti.
fling drifted in. At the bottom Of the
staircase well orange light danced and
| glowed. Throwing his clothes on, he
lifted the picture from the easel and
staggered with IL down the first fight.
The smoke made him choke and. gasp.
The next fight was miles long. At
the bottom he dropped the picture.
and as IT toppled against the baluster
| he leaped TO Beth's door and knocked
| loudly.
"who is there?" came the question
| at once.
Its Mr.. Timson. The house is on
fire. There's no danger, of course, but
you must come quickly"
"Yes," she answered family.
He buried his face in his elbow.
| leaning against the wall. Once he
started impetuously toward the pic
ture, only to turn back. The crack
| ling of the flames drowned even the
noise at the door. Then Beth stood be-
but unafraid.
Down the stairs, quick!' he cried.
"Tll follow you"
you mustn't stayw she cried, fear
fully.
"The picture" he answered. "Go.
please" He seized his burden again,
and staggered down the hall, gasping
and lurching. There he found her
crouching on the top step. He put
the picture aside, and caught her in his
arms.
"Hide your face" he said.
She struggled, sobbing. "No. no!
Let me go. You mustn't leave itr'
"I'll come back for It," he answered.
quietly. Courage, little girl; it's just
for a minute"
Then he plunged down the stairs,
past writhing tongues of flame. Set
ting Beth upon her feet he led her
across the street. On the stoop he
turned. 81 must go back" he said,
gently. 81 won't be long"
She waited and watched. fearful
and wretched for his sake. Presently
he returned empty handed.
ut was no use" he exclaimed. "The
halls are in flames"
"Oh," she moaned, 81 wish you had
never seen me! It's gone-all your
work-and hopew She glanced up mis-
erably. to find his grave eyes smiling.
"Hush, hush," he whispered. ten-
| derly. "I've saved what / wanted
most, dear"
The color fared into her white face,
| and she swayed dizzlly until his arm
went out and drew her to him.
Beth" he whispered.
She raised her eyes slowly to his.
They looked, he thought, like pale
dew-wet violets. He bent his face,
her lids fiuttered down, and their lips
| met.
Little girl" he said, presently,
"we're pretty we'll cleaned out, aren't
| we?"
| "Yes," she answered softly.
They looked at each other, and
smiled as though 1t were the most de-
licious humor.
"It wouldn't matter IL only you
could have saved the picture" she
said. dolefully.
"Never mind the picture" he replied,
steadily "lll do it again, and bet
ter" Then he whispered, "Look."
Above the sleeping city, toward the
east, faint rose f1ush was dispelling
the dawn's gray gloom.
"A new day out of the embers of
the night" she said, softly.
He bent again and kissed her. "And
for us, DEAR, a new life out Of the
ashes of the old."-Woman's Home
Companion.