Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1908-10-03
Presence of Mind



The curtain had fallen upon the drst
act, and Thomas Nash. whose atten.
ton had been divided between the
stage and the girl who cat next to
him, was able TO devote all bis atten.
ton to the latter. That, b It under.
stood. % far % he dared; for she was
q complete stranger to him. He could
not speak to her. but was forced to
content himself with little SUBSCRIPTIONS
glances aside. each Of which gave him
some further detail OF her profile; her
blue eyes. her slightly retrousse nose.
her arched lips. and the whiteness Of
her neck and shoulders. There was q
man with her. q man with brown
mustache. which Mr.. Nash character.
ICED unjustly a. scrubby. But for the
girl herself. he had nothing but appre-
citation.
The orchestra was about to com.
mence the entr'acte. when Q man In
evening dress stepped before the foot.
lights and spoke to the audience In q
voice which cracked a little In his ef.
fort to suppress anxiety.
Ladies' and gentlemen" he said. ~
should feel much Obliged II you would
all leave the theater at once and quiet.
". There II no danger. but you must
leave at once" He motioned to the
leader OF the orchestra to play.
Everywhere men and women stood
mn. quick anxiety In their faces. vague
questionings In their eyes. In that mo-
mcnt Mr.. Nash looked at bis neishbor.
and she did not hesitate to speak to
him.
.what 10 itr' she said under her
breath. "FireY"
II suppose 60" he answered non.
chalantly, with the wish to pose AZ a
hero In her eyes. But don't be afraid.
There II nothing to fear. will help
you II necessary. have been In
theater FIRE before" he continued, cling
ing truth to the winds. 1.-THE great
thing 10 to keep ones presence Of
mind"
And then the curtain bulged forward.
q vast sheet OF fame swept from its
under edge, and the man before the
footlights threw up his arms and fell
writing before that scorching blast
Mr.. Nash forgot his heroism. forgot
the girl. forgot everything save the
necessity OF reaching the doors as soon
as possible and at any cost. lie turned
and fought his way through the crowd.
striking men In the face. finging wo-
men on one side. his mind panic fear.
He felt two hands gripping his tGoul-
ders, but they scarcely retarded him.
and he had more formidable obstacles
10 contend with. Cursing and thrust
ing, trampling upon the bodies OF those
who had fallen. he forced his way
through. until at length he met the
cool rush OF air that was streaming In
from the night outside, and found him.
self safe In the crowd on the opposite
side OF the street, painting and shaken,
amazed and Mortified at himself.
A sobbing voice near him called him
to his senses. He looked round and
saw the girl to whom he had spoken
shivering In her evening dress. but toe
hysterical with grief and fear to notics
the cold.
"Oh. thank you!" she cried; "thanh
you. should never have got through
but for you"
Mr.. Nash stared At her q moment
unable to realize the extent Of his good
fortune. He had led In panic and had
earned the reputation Of q hero.
''That gentleman who was with your
10 queried.
She pointed horror-struck to the bias.
ing theater.
"Oh, 60 back for him" she cried.
20 back and save hin' You ~