Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1908-03-05

crave danger for buildings other than
the one already doomed. The roar OF
the wind and the danes was we'll
nigh deafening. The back windows
and stairs seemed clear.
Hurry. Mary. hurry" cried Louise.
above the roar. and pressed forward.
stumbling and gasping for the breath
that lie Wild wind coveted. II was
not far they had to 30. There was
lam OF men In the yard. More were
coming up. But there was nothing
20 do. Men shook their heads and
shrugged their shoulders and watched
the progress Of the inevitable with the
placidity engendered OF the potent:
1T can't be helped" But some things
might have been saved that were not
saved had the FIRST on the grounds not
rested so securely on that quieting
inevitability. As the girls came with
in the crowded circle OF light. they
overheard something Of q gallant at.
tempt on the part Of somebody to
save the county records-they did not
hear whether or no the attempt had
been successful. They made their
way to the rear. II was still dark.
Louise! What are you going to
do!" cried Mary. In CONSERVATION.
There were few people on this side.
Louise put her hand deliberately TO
the door.knob. II gave TO her pres
sure-the door swung open. Some
one stumbled out blindly and leaned
against the wall for q moment, MS
hands over his eyes. 49,
81 can't do IT," he said. aloud, i
can't reach the vaults.
Louise slipped past him and was
within the doorway. closely followed
by the frantic Mary.
I The man cried out sharply, and
stretched out OBTAINING hand. Are
YOU crazy? Come back"
"Mr. Gordon!" cried Louise. with a
little sob OF relief, rs 1t really you!
| Let me go-quick-my note books!
A thick cloud OF smoke at that mo-
ment came rolling down the back
stairs. It enveloped them. It went
down their threats aud made them
cough. The man, throwing an arm
over the shoulders Of the slender girl
who had started up after the first
shock Of the smoke had passed away
pushed her gently but firmly outside
Don't let her come, Mary he
called back, clearly. 'Ill get the
note books-if / can" Then he was
gone-up the smoke-wreathed stair
way. >.
outside, the girls waited. II
seemed hours. The wind, bowling
around the corners. whipped thci'
skirts. There was colder edge to It
Fire at last broke out OF the bach
windows simultaneously with th'
sound Of breaking glass, and huge
pillows OF released black smoke
surged out from the new outlet
Louise started forward. She never
knew afterward Just what she meant
to do, but she sprang away from
Mary's encircling arm and ran up th'
little flight OF steps leading to the
door from which she had been SO un
tremendously thrust. Afterward
when they told her. she realized wha
her impulsive action meant, but nov
she did not think. She was only con
scious OF some wild, vague impulse Il
fly to the help of the man who woul'
even now be safe in blessed outdoors
had It not been for her and her fool
ish woman's within. She had sent hin
to his death. What were thos'
wretched note books-what was any
thing at all in comparison to his life
So she stumbled blindly up the steps
The wind had slammed the door shut
II was a cruel obstacle to keep he
back. She wrenched It open. Tn
clouds Of smoke that met her, rollins
out of their Imprisonment like pen'
I'D steam, choked her. blinded hei
beat her back. She strove impotentl
against 1t. She tried to tight 1t Of
with her hands-those little intensel
feminine hands whose fortune Gordo
longed to take upon himself foreve
and forever. They were so small an
weak to fend for themselves. Blu
small as they were, 1t was q goo
thing they did that night. No'
Mary had firm hold Of her and woul
not let her go. She struggled despel
ately and tried to push her OF, bu
vainly, for Mary had twice he
strength.
MARY, l shall never forgive you
She did not finish her sentence, TO
at that moment Gordon staggered ou
into the air. He sat down on the bo
tom step as II he were drunk, but littl
darts OF fame colored the surgln
smoke here and there In weir
splotch and. suddenly calm now ths
there was something to do. Mary an
Louise led him away from the doome
building where the keen wind 500
blew the choking smoke from his eye
and throat.
I've swallowed a ton," he said. n
covering himself quickly. II couldn'
get them, Louise" He did not kno'
he called her so.
"oh, what does It matter?" erie
Louise, earnestly. "0nly forgive m
for sending you"
CAS- I remember It, l sent myself.
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