The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-04-03

men, but I can go. l weigh only nine
ty pounds. I'll take the rope" came
in Jessie's well loved voice.
Neil rushed to the window and hur-
riedly sized up the situation. His room
was in the corner of the third fiat,
with two windows-one ut the front OF
the house and one at the side. From
the front window he could see the fire.
men ut work. The verandas and whole
face Of the house were a mass of fire
and smoke. Water from the hose
played on the blaze, but the cracking
of the flames came like the laughter of
a victorious fiend.
He ran to the side window. A new
building was In process Of construc-
ton, but the skeleton structure had al
ready caught fire.
The smoke cleared for m instant,
and the crowd below caught sight of
him. He recognized the white faces of
Mr.. Osborne, George Evans and DR..
Gordon. Life was sweet. Was there
no escape? And again he scanned
the new building.
Some one was coming to him-a girl
in a Jersey waist and short tweed
skirt, carrying in her hand a coil OF
rome. Her face was appraised for q
moment, and he recognized Jessie Os-
borne. Frail, timid, little Jessie amid
the fire and smoke! She must not
come farther, and, placing his hand on
the window ledge, he prepared to de-
scend.
"stop, you fool!" came from below.
"Neil. for any sake, don't put your
foot on that beam or it is death for
YOU both!' shouted Evans.
Convinced that Evans was right, he
paused and watched the girl below.
Light and agile as Il kitten, she climb
ed from beam to brace and from brace
to beam.
A few hours before he had boosted
of his strength and bravery, yet here
he was forced to stand with folded
arms while this mite Of a girl brought
him succor. The heat was intense ana
every nerve was strained to the utmost
as he watched the approaching figure.
One wrong step meant death.
Aved silence fell Upon h watching
| crowd. but Jessie req ehed the second
story in safety and then advanced eau
tiously until third was gained. she
placed her foot carefully on the last
beam and then slowly transferred her
weight to it. There was a sicken1ng
crack. then q sudden lurch, which
caused Harry to cover his eyes with
- --.1- D,,A n c1o0I1f from (Nanrpl
Evans made him look again. The beam
had only sagged, and Jessie was walk
ing steadily toward him.
He leaned over the window ledge
with outstretched arms. A moments
awful suspense, and then, with a little
cry, she sprang to her lovers embrace.
AS her foot left the beam the huge
skeleton gave way, but Jessie and her
precious rope were safe in Aarry's
grasp.
To fasten the rope and lower his
preserver to the firemen below was the
work Of a moment; then, hand over
hand, Harry descended the improvised
fire escape. He felt himself seized and
carried away from the heat. He heard
a confusion of cheers and sobs, and
then consciousness left him.
When he came to himself he was
lying on a sofa in Mr.. Osborne's home,
with DR.. Gordon and George Evans
beside him.
"Jessie?" he queried family.
sis safe and WE'LL" DR.. Gordon re-
piled. "she escaped entirely without
injury, and her father has carried her
almost by main force to her o to
get the rest she needs. In fact" he
added, "you monopolized the woman's
right of fainting."
sit was that COMPOUNDED dope of
yours" Harry retorted.
ut came near costing your life; but,
thank God, you both escaped. Your in
juries are very slight, although your
bandages look formidable. The burns
are only surface burns and won't even
spoil your beauty, and now l must go
to Miss Osborne"
AS the door closed OF DR.. Gordon.
George Evans turned to his friend.
"What you said about Miss Osborne's
sense of honor is all right, but admit
like a man that l had a truer estimate
Of her courage. Or, say" he added
jokingly, although. there was a suspi-
cious tremor in his voice, perhaps the
engagement is called off since you
don't admire that type"
II can't joke about it, George" Neil
answered gravely. 1.-THE type Of girl
I pictured is all right in theory, butt
Marvels Of Memory.
1.-THE monograph is wonderful