The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-04-03

the doors of the fire house were shut
Pete used to escort Bessie past the
house in the hope that they would
meet Curley. Often they did, but he
scarcely gave heed to them as he
went about his work. He would not
let Bessie see how hurt he was, and
she. womanlike, was the more demon.
strative toward Pete because Curley
would not show his anger or regret.
Dick Curley gritted his teeth and
tried to meet his disappointment like a
man, but there were nights when he
lay awake in quarters and longed for
the call that would take him out to,a
fire where he could forget his own
troubles in the fierce battle with the
flames. The ride on the tender through
the cool night air always steadied his
nerves. and his unrest found ease in
action.
So he lay one night trying to forget
that a couple Of hours earlier he had
seen Pete and Bessie pass the house
on their way to a dance. 1t had been q
hard day for Thirteen, and the men
had turned in early, most Of them
praying that they would be able to
sleep undIturbed. But the clock had
Just struck the half hour after 1C
when the big gong began to count out
its dread signal.
In an instant the room was in order.
~ confusion. The men sprang from
their beds into their night boots, pull.
ing their trousers up over the legs of
the boots as they "a 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 out:
snake it in a hurry" he shouted.
''Dhat's the box nearest the Orpheum.
If the fire is there
The rest was drowned in the clang
Of the tender bell as it 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 Orpheum, where
Pete and Bessie had gone.
The dance hall was afame. Some of
the hangings had caught fire when the
electric plant had failed and recourse
was had to gas. Before the engine
could owe the three short blocks the
flames were bursting through the win
dows and mounting to the roof.
The Of the place reported
that all had left the building before
the fire had become serious, but even
as they spoke a woman's form was
%silhouetted against the background of
angry red flame, and a 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 topnost rung and called to the
girl to drop into his arms.
"Im afraid" "a the trembling re-
ply, but Dick called again.
"It's me-" he assured eagerly. Don't
be afraid, Bess; I won't let you DROP"
"Dick! 1t is you?" There were re-
lief and hope in the tones, and Curley
braced himself for the shock of her
jump.
Slowly Bessie edged to the sill and
for a moment stood there; then she
shot downward into the waiting arms,
and, slipping his hook, Curley began
the descent.
"This is one thing Pete cannot do"
he said as he slowly descended.
"Pete's only good for taking me to
dancing Glass;" said Bess contemptu-
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 frightened about her.
"Can II" he asked.
"You haven't asked me yet" remind
ed Bess.
"Tm asking you now," insisted Dick.
EYES," said Bess softly. you're dead
slow, Dick-except when you're at a
fire."