Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1907-06-28
ROCKVILLE MARYLAND FRIDAY M0RNTsge JUNE o, 1907
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Copyright. 1901. BY c, H sutclIffol

Stb}AA0Nats ApviI " ~ - o0sthAfAtt
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Burke used to see her pass by the
engine hopSS every morning on her
way to the paper box factory around
the corner on Thompson street. She
had never missed a, day all summer
long. and every morning little before
7 O'Clock Tom Burke would stroll out
of the engine house carelessly. tip q
chair back against the red brick wall
and read the morning paper attentive
~ until the paper box factory girls
came by.
s'Ain,t he the unsociAble thing,
tnougffY' sue McManuB wouhi say,
with a swift laughing side glance at
the young fireman. when she went by
with crowd Of gifts. Ouch Oh IN
teresting paper It Is, to be sure! But
1t won't be so interesting when Mar
gerry comes by"
Burke would color at the laughter
which always followed, color darkly
to the roots of his close curlcd brown
hair. but never an answering glance
would he send after the girls. All his
glances were saved for Margory.
He could see her the first minute she
turned the corner of Sixth avenue and
came down along Fifth street. She
always took the shady side of tho
street, and the engine house was on
that side. The other girls wore cheap
picture hats with flowing wells and
fancy waists trimmed with cheap lace,
but Margery was always in black and
white, short walking skirt and trim
white waist, freshly Numbered. he
knew, by her precious hands. There
was no picture hat on her .bonny
brown hair, but little black sailor
with n swallows wing on one side and
bunch Of violets In knot Of ribbon.
1t was the style of her that took
his heart and eye tho first time he
ever saw her as she came along the
street. Even the street car conductors
would look after her and pass cor
ners absently. and every child on the
street would look up for smile and a
touch OF her hand. 1t was just the
way she had. Burke told himself, and
she couldn't help II any more than an
angel could help scattering blessings
as 1t slipped by.
He had never spoken to her. He
didn't even know II she were aware
of his existence. After she had passed
he would drop the paper and stare at
the red and black Chinese sign across
the street and wonder how he could
over get acquainted with her. She
wouldn't flirt like other girls. He
could tell that by the way she held her
head up and went straight ahead, and
she never seemed to have any chums
among the girls Sue McManus had
told him her name one day. Sue was
right In society and went to the fire.
mems ball and the flremen's picnic and
all the benefits Just because she had a
second cousin on n hose cart uptown In
Harlem.
"Sure, | know who she is," Sue had
laughed at him over tho question.
"She's forelady on the fifth floor over
the lacers Those are the girls who
put In tho lace trimming on the fancy
boxes. She's oil right, but she's stuck
up because sho has a brother that's q
policeman over on Mercer street-a
big, tall young fellow. Maybe you
know him-Jack O'FerrallT
81 know him." said Burke. Hes all
right She has reason to hold up her
head over him."
Then he wondered how he could ap-
proach O'Ferrall. Every day he used
to sec him strolllng down from Wash
ington square, his white gloves spot
less no matter what the weather was.
his coat without wrinkle and a smile
that won him the respect Of everybody,
for they knew behind the smile were
handy fist and quick brain. No.
Burko decided he couldn't tell OFFER
rail- that he was IN love with his Sis
ter just on the strength Of seeing her
walk by the engine house. He would
wait and let fate and tho little blind
god join hands over his love.
1t was hot August day when the
alarm sounded, and Burke jumped for
his place M the engine pulled out 1t
there was to be some relief at last.
The true, natural born smoke eater
loves the first Whit Of smoke as an
actor loves the last strains Of the over
ture. the first low ripple OF applause
from out In front. II Ia the bugle call
to action, and Burke felt his heart
beat faster ms the old engine began to
get up speed and Nell and Captain
swung into good. long stride down
the street under the elevated.
"Where is itT no asked his mate,
"BroadwayT
"NO. Thompson street-Waller'B pa
per box factory" answered Rawley.
Burkc's square jaw SGT In hard lines.
The fingers that were buttoning his
coat fumbled awkwardly. Walters
paper box factory, and Margery was
up on tho fifth floor! As the engine
turned sharply into Thompson street
he could SEQ the factory halfway down
to Canal. Thick puffs OF smoke jetted
from the windows. with licking flames
between. pale yellow In the bright sun
light.
"It's got hold already" said Raw
Icy. There come some Of the girls
down tho escapes"
Burke never answered. The engine
pulled up short below Blocker. Over
from Fifth avenue the hook and lad
der company was changing, and no
looked up at tho Afth floor Of the fac
tory. his blue eyes dark with dread.
The girls were trying the escapes,
but even 10 soon the iron was blister
ng hot, and their cries Of pain made
'ho crowd below shiyer. There was
| voice at his elbow, and Burke turned
n no was on his way into the building.