The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-04-22


! Before the weather grew so cool tha
the doors OF the fire house were shu
Pete used to escort Bessie past th
house In the hope that they woul
meet Curley, Often they did, but b
scarcely gave heed to them as h
went about his work. He would no
let Bessie see how hurt he was, ant
she, womanlike, was the more demon
strative toward Pete because Curle,
would not show his anger or regret.
Dick Curley gritted his teeth an,
tried to meet his disappointment like |
man, but there We're nights when h,
lay awake In quarters and longed fo
the call that would take him out to ;
fire where he could forget his owl
troubles in the fierce battle with tn,
flames, The ride on the tender through
the cool night air always steadied hi,
nerves, and his unrest found ease II
action.
SO he lay one night trying to forge
that a couple of hours earlier he hat
seen Pete and Bessie pass the house
on their way to dance. 1t had been d
hard day for Thirteen. and the mer
had turned in early, most OF them
praying that they would be able tc
sleep undisturbed, But the clock had
just struck the half hour after Il
when the big gong began to count oui
its dread signal.
In an instant the room was In order.
ly confusion, The men sprang from
their beds into their night boots, pull
Ing their trousers up over the legs of
the boots as they ran toward the poles.
The man on the desk and one or two
Others who had not yet turned In had
the horses hitched, and as the great
doors swung back and Quinn grasped
the trip TO release the harness hangers
the captain called ont:
Make 1t In hurry" he shouted.
That's the box nearest the Orpheum.
II the fire Is there
The rest was drowned in the clang
Of the tender bell as II followed the
steamer from the house, but Curley
had heard enough. He had not real
lied at first that three-seven-three was
the box nearest the 0rpheum, where
Pete and Bessie had gone.
The dance hall was afiame. Some of
the hangings had caught fire when the
electric plant had failed and recourse
was had to gas. Before the engine
could cover the three short blocks the
flames were bursting through the win
dows and mounting to the roof.
The owners Of the place reported
that all had left the building before
the fire had become serious, but even
as they spoke woman's form was
silhouetted against the background of
angry red flame, and dash was made
to the truck for the longest ladder.
Almost before it was against the
building Curley had showed aside the
ladder man, who stood ready to mount,
and pushed up the ladder ahead of
him. He had recognized Bessie.
The ladder was short by a dozen
feet, but Dick snapped his hook into
the topmost rung and called to the
girl to drop into his arms.
"I'm afraid" was the trembling re-
ply, but Dick called again.
ITS me- he assured eagerly. Don't
be afraid, Bess: l won't let you drop"
"Dick! It is your There were re
lief and hope in the tones, and Curley
braced hin.self for the shock of her
jump.
Slowly Bessie edged to the sill and
for moment stood there; then she
shot downward into the waiting arms,
ana. slipping his hook. Curley began
the descent.
This is one thing Pete cannot do"
he said rs he slowly descended.
"Pete's only good for taking me to
dancing class said Bess contemptu- i
ously. There's a whole lot of things
he can't do
Like what for instance" demand |
ed Curley.
HE can't make me say Yes when |
he asks me to marry him." explained
Bess
Dicks arm tightened about her.
"Can ~ he asked.
"You haven't asked me yet" remind
ed Bess.
"I'm asking you now," insisted Dick. |
YES" said Bess softly. You're dead |
slow, Dick-except when you're at a
fire."