The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-12-04

the OrcncStla from the parquet. what
folly! trembled violently with anx-
iety. Involuntarily, and in a ter
rible voice. 1 reared: GO away! Go
away!"
Then, all at once, he seemed to
succeed. The vloloncello, finally ex-
trlcated from the chairs which en-
numbered it, moved toward him,
when, nearly at the same instant, all
the violins and violoncellos, the light
wood of which had become overheat-
ed, burst into blaze simultaneously.
The little fellow relaxed his grasp,
tottered and fell forward headlong
into the orchestra, and upon his burn
ing instrument. For some seconds
/ gasped and stretched out my arm
my one arm-to the place where
had seen that strange and sombre
figure rise. saw him, still moving
in the midst of the flames, extend
his blackened arms. and then sink
into the glowing Goals.
Probably he did not hear me. The
fire spread all around him. He stood
on chair, and then placing one foot
on the separating railing. he dragged
his violoncello.
/ almost forgot my own situation
in the excitement. Poor little crea-
ture, so brave, and who must have
been good and intelligent, and to
whom | had never spoken I see
him1still there, before my eyes, stand
ing On that chair, and making those
great efforts.
The flames became more violent.
1t was like furnace. The cornices
and other projecting parts of the
front of the stage kindled rapidly
now l could scarcely distinguish
anything more. The smoke blinded
and choked me. My time had come.
| was going to die.
The enemy advanced slowly and
steadily. Had | lost all hope of being
saved? No, | must admit | had not.
Yes, I hoped still. My hopes were
carefully built on the death of the
poor 'cellst. Since he had been able
to return for his instrument, others
would be able to enter in search OF
me and carry me out.
Then, like an immense wave, an
other volume of smoke enyeloped and
sti1ed me. Although the fire had
not yet reached the woodwork of my
box, the heat was so violent that l
began to feel my blood boiling. The
sensation Of burning became terribly
appreciable. l knew | would not be
able to retain consciousness much
more than two minutes longer. The
sweat ran from my forehead and
temples down my cheeks and beard.
A brand detached from l don't
know where described curve
through the auditorium and fell into
the box next me. My resignation
could not Withstand that. Decidedly
| n did not want to die. Save me!
Save me! had no other wish, no
other desire.
But my fury, my heartrending
cries, my frantic gestures, were all
in vain. No one came. My beard
was scorching and commencing to
burn. | felt an itching sensation in
my face, on my neck and at the roots
of my hair. Now l made great
effort and moved in my chair.
"There is still time" thought I.
I determined to rise and walk. It
was only for a moment. After in
clining my body forward, I made a
sudden movement. My eyes flashed.
l believed I was going to walk. 1t
was only for a moment. No, no;
my legs were not willing. They re-
mained reluctantly paralyzed. Ny
excitement again became violent. l
tried once more. No, no, no. Now
felt only that was dying. 1t was
no longer possible to endure one
degree of heat more. Before my
eyes binding light; around me,
everywhere, above me, below me, the
fire. I remained passive; perhaps I
fell. l know nothing more. l was
abandoned.
Eight hours afterwards found
myself in bed again. My little niece
in running for help had fallen and
was severely wounded in the head.
She had been carried away fainting,
and it was only after recovering her
senses that she was able to speak.
Two men were dispatched to my res
cue, and drew me from the furnace
Just as l became unconscious
Translated for the Argonaut, from
the French of Camille DebanS