The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-25


sheer to tho street He hurried to the
Tho windows there twelve down. thero was
no pipe-no foothold He went the back OF the roof
and found another coping.
Il + + + i + 4 (.
He turned to see Hanrahan running from parapet to
parapet now hidden cloud Of whirling smoke now
black in tho glow wind-biown flames. him
tho marble railing that surmounted the
on the front the building, and put his hands in 4
trumpet to hise1nouh tho roar Of
the wind. He him take OFF his helmet and try to
into tho street; and the
his hand, tossed 1t nloft and blow 1t the
south with the smoke and the flying embcrs
He running back to German Lets get down.
he painted. Lets get down."
German did not him
''ror tho Lords sake Bull" he cried don't
burn alive up here"
German shook his head "I can't get down." he said.
He could that there nothing the brick roof
burn; the heat not tho flames would be their dan
ger. Tho IRE was at Its worst tho light well. and at
tho point farthest from there enormous water
tank, protected with covering Of tin and supported
the angle OF the walls steel beams that,
roof should fall the tank would not with
It. Here the greatest safety. They would have
water to prevent the from baking them alive.
they would shelter them from the drift
of smoke.
German went over crouched peer beneath
the beams. Hanrahan stumbled against him. Bull he
whimpered. II can't-I can't got down."
German thrust him aside. We'll, who said
could? he snarled YOU'RE here to stay You better
make up yer mind to that an shut yer yap."
Hanrahan threw his arms and screamed at the sky
high. dry voice. cutching with his fingers and
ping like dog with his teeth. Then he pitched forward
into the for the street parapet again.
German climbed slowly up the iron ladder to the top
of the tank. came scuttle there. and raised It,
that the tank almost full. He took OF his
rubber coat and dipped down. and up dripping
rubbed 1t his face. and licked at the moisture
on tarpaun; and the touch OF water sent
burning fever flush thirst through him. He reached
with his helmet drew 1t up half full and empted
his head and down his back, again and again.
Then drank in great gups, signing with satisfaction
The relief brought back energies. ladder
eye. and occurred to him that II he could get
it loose. might able reach lower window with
1t. took hold Of 1t In his huge hands, drew long
breath wrench 1T from Its iron sockets
Tightening 1t slowly. until the blood drummed in his
He bent the upright of 1t, but the socket hold It
still. When paused for breath he remembered Han
rahan. and shouted him FOR aid.
got no answer descended to the roof to find
him lying in the worst of the heat that blew
the air shaft dragged him back from II, and
emptied helmet full Of water on his face
Hanrann rolled his from side to side. muterins
to himself.
Say" German said. Say. look-a-nereE-"
He opened staring eyes, moving his lips IN whisper.
Better get up to the tank an take dip want you
to help me get that ladder loose
Hanrahan slipped an arm around his neck raising
himself his elbow. Get down out OF this. Bull
he whispered .Get me out of this. an I'll make
1T good got pull. I got promise
j. J. j. i. 4 i. I. i.
German threw off his arm stop talkn' foolish.
can't got you down. Here. take a drink
Halrahan caught at his collar, thrusting aside the
water Get me down." he said "You set me down.
Bull I'll make it good. I'm right In with the Gang Dor
gan said"
German threw him from him with a curse Il can't
get you down., he yelled at him. whats the matter
with your
Hanrahan fell back heavily and lay breathing hard
with open mouth puff of smoke blew down and choked
him with Sob
German dragged him the roof to tho tank and
sat down beside huncertan what to doWlth his back
to tho parape his face to the light well. The heat
swan over them In surocating current Hanrahan
threw out arms and lay as Il stretched on cross
rolling from side to SIDE ngonzed and speechess
lie hogan to humble tho concession OF a tSol'a'
Catholic, beating his breast with whispered Through
my fault. through fault through my most grieyous
fault
German scowed, The smoke lTitated him; the heat
pricked him. Cant you shut yer yap for half min
ute.' he complained,
q Hanrahan gronned and turned to him. 'D'you think
there's any hell % he asked in husky whisper.
German laughed 'Aw, cut 1t out lie said you're
scared That's all that's wrong with YOU"
There was crash Of breaking windows In the mir
shaft. The flames ronred up. tapping like banner In