Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1908-03-25

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building was in process Of construc
ton. but the skeleton structure had al
ready caught fire.
The smoke cleared for an 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 lima cir
in a jersey waist and short tweed
skirt. carrying in her hand coil o,
rope. Her face was appraised for s
moment, and he recognized Jessie Os
borne. Frail, timid, little Jessie amid
the fire and smoke! She must no,
come farther, and, placing his hand or
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 fol
you both:' shouted Evans
Convinced that Evans was right ht
paused and watched the girl below
Light and agile as kitten, she climb
ed from beam to brace and from brace
to beam
A few hours before he had boastel
of his strength and bravery, yet here
he was forced to stand with folded
arms while this mite of girl brough
him succor The heat was intense an6
every nerve was strained to the utmos
as he watched the approaching figure
One wrong step meant death.
Awed silence fell upon the watching
crowd. but Jessie reached 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 hel
weight to it. There was sickenins
crack, then sudden lurch, which
caused Harry to cover his eyes witt
his hands, But a shout from George
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 little
cry, she sprang to her lovers embrace
AS her foot left the beam the huge
skeleton gave way, but Jessie and hel
precious rope were safe in Harry's
grasp.
To fasten the rope and lower his
preserver to the firenlen below was the
work of moment: then, hand over
hand. Harry descended the improvised
fire escape He felt himself seized aud
carried away from the heat. He heard
q confusion of cheers and sobs, and
then consciousness left him.
When he came to himself he was
lying on sofa in Mr.. Osborne's home
with DR.. Gordon and George Evans
beside him.
"Jessie:" he queried family
els safe and WE'LL" DR.. Gordon re.
piled. ''She escaped entirely without
injury. and her father has carried hel
almost by main force to her room tC
get the rest she needs. In fact" he
added. "you monopolized the woman's
right of fainting.'
1t was that COMPOUNDED dope OF
yours" Harry retorted.
1T 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 on 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 hat l had 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
81 can't joke about it. George" Neil
answered gravely. The type of girl
l pictured is all right in theory, but