The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1908-05-29

had not hurt him very much, since he
so soon forgot. which was exactly
Grantley's purpose. But from that mo-
ment he hated the padded stomach
and the false hair which We're his
bread ard butter. @--..ela
He made no attempt to reopen the
discussion, and the weeks Went past
rapidly with no aplsrent change in
their friendly relations. Nettie did not
dream that beneath his fun Grantley
nursed the sorrow she had caused and
that only in the watches of the night
did he give way to feelings none the
less poignant because SO successfully
concealed.
Then came the lesson the girl needed.
They were playing small theater in
week of one night stands. At the
matinee some gas tanks used for color
effects thrown up from beneath the
stage In the last act exploded as the
operator tried to start them up. He
was the company's electrician and I'M
accustomed to handling calcium lights.
An incorrect mixture of the gases. fol.
lowed by momentary panic of the
man. and the damage was done
Flames burst through the traps to the
stage. the dust on the fireproofei
scenery carried the fire to the rigging
aloft. and the place was ablaze. II
only remained for the stage hands to
drop the fire curtain. cut the skylight
ropes and then make for safety.
Once the s&ylights were opened tn"
draft drew the flames up 20 the roof
and away from the aud ium; but.
though this saved the audience. II
meant death for the girls who were
dressing on the top floor. The small
theater was insufficiently supplied
with dressing rooms. and the chorus
was herded in an unfinished loft above
the auditorium. usually given over to
the storage Of odds and ends. With
the skylights open they We're trapped.
With no thought for himself. Grant
ley sped up the narrow iron stairway
leading to the loft. Behind him the
stage was mass OF flames. So he
drove back the few girls who were
trying to make their way down the
stairs. Most Of the chorus We're too
terrified TO attempt to escape. but as
Grantley burst into the room they rose
to their feet. wild with hysteria.
The roofs the only chance" cried
Grantley as he pointed 10 the iron lad
der leading TO the skylight. Until
the flames spread there Is safety In the
front OF the building. Hurry up. girls"
lie drove them up the narrow pas
sageway. and rs be stood at the foot
of the ladder he encouraged them with
his voice. relieving the tension by tok-
ing. He was the last through the sky
light. and II was Nettie who helped
him through.
Already til rear OF the roof was
blazing. but the trout was still safe.
and on one side there was drop Of
Il dozen feet 10 the roof Of an adjoin-I
Ing building. Leaning over the edge.
Grantley swung the girls down one by
one. and at last he dropped to the roof
himself JUST as the flames burst
through the front Of the theater roof.
and a stream of water drenched him
to the skin.
"Close call" he commented as he
glanced up aud rubbed HIS aching
arms. I'D He to find the fellows who
turned the hose on me"
ut was from the street. They could
not see you" explained Settie. I'm
glad they did II. Dick"
She pointed 10 the painted tin Of the
roof. where his wig and beard lay wet
and dragged. Its washed the mem
DRY out" she explained. And the light
OF understanding came into Grantley's
eyes as he bent and kissed her white
face. to him sweeter than ever In the
awakening Of love.