Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-01
Presence of Mind



The curtain had fallen upon the first
act, and Thomas Nash, whose atten-
ton had been divided between the
stage and the girl who sat next TO
him. was able to devote all his atten-
ton to the latter That, be it under
stood. as far as he dared; for she was
a complete stranger to him. He could
not speak to her, but was forced 10
content himself with little surreptitious
glances aside, each of which gave him
some further detail of her profile; her
blue eyes, her slightly retrousse nose,
her arched lips, and the whiteness OF
her neck and shoulders. There was a
man with her, n man with a brown
mustache which Mr.. Nash character
lied uniustly as scrubby. But for the
girl herself he had nothing but appre
citation.
The orchestra was about TO COM
mence the entr'acte, when man In
evening dress stepped before the foot
lights and spoke to the audience IN a
voice which cracked little in his eff
fort to suppress anxiety.
Ladies' and gentlemen" he said, Il
should feel much obliged If you would
all leave the theater at once and quiet
". There is no danger, but you must
leave at once" He mCtioned to the
leader of the orchestra to play.
EVERYWHERE men and women stood
I'D. quick anxiety in their faces, vague
questionings in their eyes. In that mo-
ment Mr.. Nash looked at his neighbor,
and she did not hesitate to speak to
him.
what is it?" she said under her
breath. Fire."
Il suppose So" he answered non
chalantly, with the wish to pose as Il
hero in her eyes. But don't be afraid
There is nothing to fear. l will help
YOU if necessary. I have been in a
theater fire before" he continued, fling
ing truth to the winds. The great
thing Is to keep ones presence of
mind"
And then the curtain bulged forward
a vast sheet of flame swept from its
under edge, and the man before the
footlights threw up his arms and fell
grithing before that scorching blast
Mr.. Nash forgot his heroism, forgot
the girl, forgot everything save the
necessity of reaching the doors as soon
as possible and at any cost. He turned
and fought his way through the crowd
striking men in the face, fiinging wo
men on one side. his mind panic fear
He felt two hands gripping his shout.
ders, but they scarcely retarded him
and he had more formidable obstacles
60 contend with. Cursing and thrust
ing. trampling upon the bodies of those
who had fallen, he forced his way
through until at length he met the
cool rush of air that was streaming in
from the night outside, and found him.
self safe in the crowd on the opposite
side Of the street, painting and shaken
amazed and Mortified at himself.
A sobbing voice near him called hin
to his senses. He looked round and
saw the girl to whom he had spoken
shivering in her evening dress, but too
historical with grief and fear to notice
the cold.
"Oh, thank you she cried; "thanl
you, I should never have got through
but for you"
Mr.. Nash stared at her moment
unable to realize the extent of his goo(
fortune. He had fed in panic and haC
earned the reputation of hero.
That gentleman who was with your
he Queried.
She pointed horror-struck to the blaz
ing theater.
"Oh, go back for hint! she cried
go back and save himi You are
brave; and l will thank you and pra.
for you all the days of my Iife.'
Mr.. Nash's heroism received a nasty
shock. He looked about him desper
ately. But ONE again fortune be
friended him, and he saw the very man
though much singed and blackened
coming toward him.
THANK heaven you are safer sale
the newcomer with emotion.
Yes, yes" she cried. Thank hea
vent And thank this gentleman, too
He saved me. He got me out of tn
building"
The young man shook hands witt
Nash warmly.