The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-01-15

IL guess | ann not responsible II be
Is Il fool" WAS nruSllla's sharp COM
ment as shc soaked hor nngcr tips In
warm water preparatory to giving
them a trSatmcnt
But that day the sun came out. the
dry, soft mir OF tue spring was like
balSam, and the cough stopped. So
stopped also tho exchange of courtesies,
anu the young man sighed for illness
or worse if It would only bring look
of warmth to his lady's eyes.
And worse came.
1t happened one day at half past @.
Drusilla's shade was down, but the
dark young man knew that she was in
her room, for once her pink tipped fin
gers had adjusted the curtain and
savory odor told Of her supper cook
ing.
"Cliclcty -click-click," went the type.
writer. and then suddenly "Clang-
clang," dcadencd by it's distance to
the fifth floor, came the ring Of the fire
engine bells.
The dark young man leaned out. Far
below him lie saw great crowds gather
ing. The smoke floated up from the
putting engines. Then all at once he
caught Iris breath sharply. The win
dows of the third floor of the tenement
were lighted with Il golden glow, grow
ing rcddcr as he looked
The smoke poured out and joined the
smoke of the engines, while the black
masses drifted up the fire escape and
over the blooming little garden.
The young man shouted hoarsely.
YOU" he began. What should he
cal her? lie had never heard her
name. Young lady, little grlw he
shrickcd. But there was utter silence
across the way.
Then he began to cough. "Hclpv he
gurgled. Helps" This brought Dru-
silla, in Il pink wrapper, with a little
frying pan in her hand. She opened
the door and looked out anXiously.
"What is it," she demanded, coming
to the railing.
Look" shouted the young man.
Already the flames were working up.
Fircmen were crawling up ladders like
flies, and shrieks came from the people
within.
run down; run down." ordered the
young man. Its the only way to save
your life. Down the fire escape. Go
ut once" he continued peremptorily as
Drusilla wavercd.
So down she fluttercd, frying pan ana
all, looking like pink blossom as she
grew smaller in the distance.
Then the young man, watching her,
saw her turn and come back. AS she
reached the floor where the flames
were raging she swerved aside and
ran desperately up the steps.
"My garden, my garden". she gasped
as she saw the terror in his face. "I
couldn't leaveit to burn"
But the young man did not stop to
hear the end. Like madman he ran
to the elevator. Then he sped to the
street and began the climb toward Dru-
silla. Far above him she was stag
gering with her heavy burden, half
blinded by the smoke.
At the fatal third floor she stopped.
Across the iron fire escape swept waves
of flame. Two firemen just below, I'M
conscious of the girl above them, were
trying to turn stream Of water on q
window. The noise was dca fleming
The dark young man shouted frantical-
ly, and at last his voice reached them.
'Turn it this way; turn 1t this wayw
But they saw the motion of his hand
and the pink gowned girl above them
and comprehended. AS the water play
ed for moment over the blistering
iron the dark young man plunged
through and dragged Drusilla to safety.
They were all drenched-Drusilla and
her rcscuer and the little garden
When they reached the street the dark
young man led Drusilla to u secluded
niche in the doorway Of the big office
building All about them ragged the ex-
citement OF a terrible catastrophe, and
Drusilla, safe in the little haven, quiet
ly proceeded to faint away. The dark
young man caught her in his arms and
moppcd her face with his wet hand
kerchief. Then she opened her eyes
and saw the informality of his atti-
tude and bIushed.
"We haven't been introduced" she
reproachcd family, but she did not
draw away from him.
"As if that mattered,'' said the bliss
full dark young man.