Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-12

lamp. casting all down in a frenzy.
window In the second floor broke with crash
and a volume of smoke conferred by a living wick
of flame. reached out across the street and hat-
tened against the stolid walls Through 1t could be-
heard the screams and imprecations of the pris-
oner.
The tailor. rode. now spun around on his handy
legs like figure at the end of an invisible wire.
Molly went up and shook him. "Ye little meller-
bug, go push the fire ALARM" she cried to him. He
was of, as If the wire had parted. At this moment
the first policemen had reached the scene.
"And now" said Molly, slowly and distinctly.
so that as many possible could hear, TITS up to
me to be climbing four flights an save my Tony's
new ufnnty."
1t was fat Mrs. Tode that clutched her. lyon
tam fool vomanl Dot Sadie. she eez not worth
the savIngness of you. Mine Gott. no. She is
not worth"
Molly laughed out. Lind me the loan of q
wool coat, place somebody. The owlder the bet
ter. An a wooden shawl to save me hair And
whin the dre-boys come" she added. don't be in
hurry to send them in. This is me Job, an 1
want no hip to do It," With the last syllable she
was gone. A great puff of angry blackness rush.
ed out as she entered.
Mrs schramm's voice arose. Nov what do you
think of that?" she enquired of the assembly
second window broke and then third The
interior of the horse, it seemed, must be an even
mass of fame.
Now to the uproar welcome sounds were added,
the rattle of hurrying engines clatter of horses
feet sounds of whistles and gongs and then the
loud silken swish of hose being dragged to the
nearest plug. The rhythmic "Shoof--choof" of
the pump and the silent efficacy of the swarming
firemen did much to calm hysteria. Sadie's
had stopped.
Tony McGhee, in leathern apron, bare headed
and frantic with fear, shot into the street. HIS
first glance for the house where Molly lived.
his second to the fourth story window At first
1t was blotted. for him. with smoke; but even as
he stared in horror, clearing came, sudden res
huence in the current of fire drawing destruction
inward, and leaving rows of blackened window
holes. From one where a pink geranium had SO
lately bloomed came a small, steatby flame, ser1
pent from the eye-socket of skull, moving this
way and that tasting the acrid walls either side.
and then withdrawing.
"sadie-sadie!" he cried aloud. with rush OF
tears 'She's up there in the fire."
whats that you are saying?" demanded the
fireman. IA woman up there?"
Mrs. Schramm could contain herself no longer.
There's two on 'em, an Mikes Sadies with bust
ed leg!"
AN Molly don't want none youse buttin' in"
beloved Mrs. Tode.
Grip at his coat-tails Hol, him away from
Molly McGhee," cried old Mother Mitchell. Its
de right thing by Molly, it ISL
But already with muttered ordinations Of hor-
ror the tall officer and comrade had started In az
at the door. The gaping crowds could see them
half dissolved in smoke, fighting their way inward
The men at the hose played about them on wall
and floor The street held its breadth at the nten-
sity of the moment. Then the men fell back
little Still with their faces inward, they came TO"
ward the street. step by step. backward. At the
doorway they drew aside and It looked as though
the tall officer gave military salute.
The crowd now swollen to a multitude moaned
as 1t fell back also There was clear semtcircie
on the pavement directly in front of the steps.
Upon the dripping fagstones crouched a single
human figure that of the shivering, chattering
Tony McGhee.
Molly came out of the door, her head held high.
In her arms a strange, distorted burdens
sooty water ran down from the pair in rivulets
where the lfe-saying stream had found thens
MoIly's round face and her arms were scalded to
raw flesh; the thing that she held quivered and
moaned necessarily, and seemed to wish W -'ds
its face In Mollys breast. The bandaged leg. half
charred, stuck out at hideous angle.
"Where's Tony McGhee?" demanded Molly
physical agony gave a shrill edge to her voice.
new outburr: of sobs and incoherent words from
the man on the pavement answered her. Stan
up ON yer hind legs, Tony McGhee," said Molly
AN let the people me give you back your uf-
finity!" She laughed wildly he stumbled to
his feet. Two iremen led him forward.
She almost threw her burden into his arms
ashe's singed bit" said Molly. IAN YEN be af-
Their gettin' her yellow wig. but she's all there
an welcome to ye. Welcome to ye, says IL
screamed Molly. Then the outstretched arms OF
the bystanders caught her, for pain had done It's
work
"A munt in the hospital an she's as good {.
new" remarked an officer. judiciously. after he
had given the ambulance call. AN God! What
pluck"
The denizens of Grimm Street meeting each
others eyes, could only shake their heads and
mutter acauescenece. They knew we'll that Molly
McGhee had won release from them and from
herself. and that Grimm Street was to see her no
more.
"And what do you think of that?" murmured
Mrs. Schramm, as the ambulance clattered away.
But no enc tried to answer her.
THE END.