Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-19

turned topsyturvey, and the fear of making
his situation still more Imaginable before his
command held him ragingly still and silent.
His rescuer bent forward to heave him up
right on his feet, and stood back from him
warily. And he saw that 1t was Gallagher.
If he had had an ak in his hand he would
have killed the lieutenant on the spot. Hav-
ing no weapon, he leaped at him, without
word, not striking him, but clutching for
his throat, In the primitive instinct of the
savage to use his fingers as claws. Gale
CHER wrapped him in a tender embrace.
threw him carefully on the fiagstones and
sat on his chest. He raved and fought in Il
painting struggle to wriggle himself free.
growing like an animal. his face blackened
with smoke and fire. his eyes redrmmed
like the "hawS' OF a maStf, his teeth
cleaning through singed mustache.
Some one said over Gallegher's shoulder:
What's wrong here?
The lieutenant forced down a straining
arm and answered, through his teeth: Man
gone fire crazy"
"Yuhre a liar!' Meaghan yelled. ''Yuh're
a liar! Yuh're lii" Gallagher shifted
his weight to the captains diaphragm and
he ended in a grunting groan.
The voice above them said: Get off
him" and Gallagher looked up to recognize
the chief.
He rose with a stubborn reluctance Mea-
CHAN sprang unsteadiy to his feet. He was
weak almost to the point of tears He's
been-chasin' me round all night he said.
Haulln me out of everywhere l got an
You've been tryn' to get yerself burned
alive Gallagher cut In. An when l car
ried him out of a blazing fire he tried to
throttle me. Look at him.! He pointed to
the blackened face of his captain.
Amt / able to take care of MYSELF"
Meaghan cried.
mo, you amt" Gallagher said. you've
been running wild around here all night.
Your not right. You know you're not"
whats ahont him ~ 10 chief in
terposed.
Il don't know" Gallagher said sukily.
There amt anything wrong about me-
Meaghan complained Il wanted to take a
whirl out O. the fre-seein' it was goin' to
be my last. And l did, too" he
boosted. II found 1t. An I'd We held it in
the shaft there If that -- - hadn't
yanked me out"
The chief stroked his mustache What
do you say its your last for?"
Meaghan frowned at him. "Tighe said
you said"
The chief shook his head slowly II told
Tighe that either Brodrick or you ought to
give place to younger man
Meaghan looked down at his rubber boots.
Il don't want to squeeze out Brodrick,
either. If | got to go, I'll CO.
The chief stood aside for the entrance of
another engine company. Well he ruled.
you can do you like about it. Brodrick
hip. He's out anyway. You can go, too, If
you want to. Nobodys going to prevent
you, but nobody's going to force you.
either" He followed into the burning build
ing after the pipemen.
Meaghan looked up at Gallagher. Gale
CHER looked away.
He saw the captains much-abused helmet
lying on the curb. and went to pick it up.
Meaghan took 1t from him and clapped 1t
on his head.
It's lucky 1 didn't have anything to hit
yuh with" he growled.
Yes, sir Gallagher answered, meekly.
Mo- hoy, tylor rod Of r11J bot ~,
did yuh do 1t fer?"
II thought there was something wrong
with you" Gallagher apologized. II didn't
want you to get-to get hurt"
The captain snorted his contempt. Who
told you to think? You obey orders-that's
your business"
Gallagher raised a humble eye to him.
Yes. SIR" he said
Meaghan scowled and swallowed. Gale
CHER waited in a pose of humility that it
would have been inhuman to abuse.
where's the boys?" the captain demanded.
I'm the cellar" Gallagher replied.
We'll" he said. with heavy sarcasm
don't yuh think It's about time yuh yanked
them out?''
And when the lieutenant was descending
the ladder Meaghan looked up at the smok
ing windows and down on the crown of Gal
leghers helmet with his old mouth twisted
In what seemed to be the grim suppression
of smile.
Look here, Gallagher" he said that night,
examination fer promotion among you boys;
an know you'll pass that all right. Well,
m gon' to report you fer havin' saved my
life, see?" He blinked away a smile. Fer
havin' carried me away from a burnin' ele-
vatOr shaft at yer own risk
Gallagher rubbed his nose and smiled ner-
vously.
Il loaded up one o. them newspaper touts
that way. My own report to headquarters
ought to cinch 1t fer yuh, eh?' He laughed
at Gallegher's expression. 'Eh?" he chuck
led. "Eh?'
Gallagher enjoyed the joke, but shook his
head over 1t. The chiefs on, sir isn't hep
you leave the chief to me- Meaghan
said. TN fix that. Here, have a
cigar"
Gallagher took 1t and sat down. He fas-
tened his eyes on It. He turned 1t over. He
Redeemed He said. thickly: Much obliged
captain. I'm be sorry to leave No. o."
Meaghan jabbed his cigar into his mouth
and FASTENED to busy himself striking
light. When he behind cloud of
smoke he coughed and said: That's all
right, Gallagher. That's all right"
1t was as near as either of them ever
came to achieving pathos.