Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-01-28
SO NEARLY LOST
EsBsSgE8
Continued.

LIZ you liliiAh JOu NOuAh "
try the passage with me?" he faltered.
She rose and held out her hand with
a faint smile on her white face, and he
took her hand; but as they neared the,
opening she shrank back slightly.
BERTHE set his teeth hard, and catch
ing her up in his arms, dashed for
ward.
The heat was terrible. He felt It'll
scorchlng his face and thought of her,
of the beautiful lily-like face whose
likeness he had gazed at for so mary
hours.
Turn your face to me, he
whispered. Hide it against my
breast
Enthusiastically, Joan obeyed, and
closed her eyes. She felt herself
borne along as through a stream of
liquid fire, then there came a.
momentary pause, and when she
opened her eyes she found herself stillI
in his arms and back in the recess.
Il have failed" he said. hoarsely.
1T would have been death for you if,
| had gone on"
And for you!" she said, gently.
For mel" he said, with selfscorn,
What does it matter whether | live or
die? | am of no NE TO myself or any
one! But you-ynl!" his voice broke
and he turned his head away. You,
shall not die" he cried suddenly.
There must be some way-some
way" and he ran to the walls and
CROPPED about in frantic despair.
oh, be calm!" murmured Joan; but
as she spoke she burst into tears and
covered her face with her hands.
For Heavens sake, don't cry" he
said, almost fiercely.
NO, no." she murmured. II could
not help it! | was thinking OF her
of a very dear frend-one who was
more than sister to me. oh. Emily,
Emily"
IF she Is an actress she Is most
likely safe" he said, eagerly. "ThereI
was time for them to get away before
the wings caught. You would have
been safe If you had not remained to
look to the people in front, and IL Il
he stopped. choked--"if / had not
brought you here"
"Hush!" she said holding out her
hand 10 him. you did that for the
best. If my life is saved you will
have saved it. Do not accuse yourself
of anything-but rashness in coming
to my aid.
He knelt at her side, and selling
her hand raised it humbly to his lips.
AS he did so the flames ne had been
dreading broke through the opening,
and food of light poured upon his
white face.
Joan started and drew back, then
bent forward and locked at him in
amazement.
Your" she cried
Yes" he responded, reading her
thoughts; lit is l, BERTHE Dewsbury,
You remember me?"
Il remember" said JOAN family;
and you came here tonight, you knew
me?"
Not till | saw you on the stage,
he said, rapidly; II came to the
theater by accident, by chance; knew
you the moment | saw you"
1T is strange" she faltered; once
before you saved me" Her voice
broke.
And will save you now" he al. !
most shouted. and scarcely knowing
what he was doing he caught up a
heavy piece of timber and commenced !
pounding at the wall,
BERTHE was strong and desperate;
the wall. which was OF single brick,
shook and sniyered beneath the blows
of the heavy piece Of timber. which he
used as n battering ram, and presently
the brickwork gave way.
He had only just time to drop the
timber and drag Joan out of the way
when O portion Of the wall fell in, a
cloud Of dust mingling with the smoke
which was now rendering their place
of refuge thick and murky.
Where does this lead? 1t is a kind
of passage" he shouted in Joan's ear.
for the noise of falling beams and the
roaring of the flames rendered speech
almost impossible,
Joan looked round her. She knew
Of no passage except that of the paint.
iug-room above and behind the stage ,
ut leads to the painting,room," she |
said
Come with me-" he shouted, and
taking her hand he hurried her up the
stairs.
Even as they reached the first land
ing he, looking back. saw their latel
refuge one mass of flames.
On the landing where they now
paused TO take breath there was al
window. and instinctiyely they both
went to it and looked down.
The lurid light of the burning build.
ing fell upon an immense crowd, a sea
OF upturned faces which shone lit.
fully in the red and yellow glare.
AS they came to the window the
crowd caught sight of them, and a
roar, which seemed to shake the
tottering theater. rose from thousands
of threats, as hands We're raised and
pointed to the two figures at the win
dow.
s'They see usi" said BERTHE