The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-04-11

on the iadder-like structure I could see
the flames leaping up from below, and
a shower OF sparks fell over us.
Not this way-let US go backP'
cried, struggling to slip from his arms
But he only held me closer
There is no other way. Mary"
The quiet strength Of his voice reas-
sured me. From below came the heavy
pumping Of engines. the shouts of fire.
men, and the screams of some hysteri-
cal woman. We were on the eighth
floor; steadily, firmly. he carried me
down that steep, narrow fire-escape The
heat was almost unbearable- Horace
drew the blanket over my face to pro-
tect it from the falling sparks The
last flight was through the very flames
themselves-even through the blanket
L could feel their scorching heat
When We reached the ground some
one helped Horace upwrap the hot
blanket from about me. and / stood in
my bare feet Oh the water-sOaked
ground. among a network Of fire hose,
ana with only a thin negIigee over my
night-dress. Again Horace lifted me- In
his arms and carried me through the
crowd, across the street to a porch or
one of the cottages.
Every one was very kind; we were
given room in the cottage, and a doc
tor was soon tn ere dressing Horace's
burns. His NECK and shoulders were
cruelty blistered- He had had no coat.
and thin linen shirt was no protec
tfo7 from that fierce heat
At his dictation I wrote a number Of
kilograms. one fo- Ellen to come out on
the first morning train with clothes for
as both. and one for his office.
It was almost dawn before I could
persuade him to lie down I lowered the
shades Of the little cottage bedroom.
and then threw myself on couch at
the foot OF the bs0.
AS I watched the Pickering shadows
from the dim lamp on the dressing
table, lived over again all the terrors
OF that night If 1t had not been sun
day-h Horace, with his calm. quiet
strength, had not been there!
What CHASTITY thoughts come to one at
times! And one came to me then. the
hideous thought of how easy it would
have been for Horace not to have
awakened me! Many men have killed
their wives for the love Of some other
woman; and he had only to let me
Sleep Desperately I tried TO think OF
something else-to crush out a thought
came another-almost' as hfdeoUs- If
IN some way she had been therei If
ne could have saved only one-and had
have been?
There flashed through my mind the
incident or a prominent man. upon
whom such a choice had been forced
He was rowing several miles from shore
with his wife and her YOUNGER sister
whom it had long been runored that
ne loved A storm arose suddenly. and
the boat capsized- He could swim So
great a distance carrying only one. and
II had been the woman he leved-not
his wife-that he had saved
sprang from the couch in physical
protest asainst the horror or such
Shoughts Had not the night been
fearful enOugh2 Why must 1 now no
haunted In this way?
Are you still nervous, Mary? Won't
you come over and lie beside me?''
My heart leaped. l Gid moi sneak for
rear OF the JOY and owe in my voice
AS / lay down by ois side with nv
mead upon the arm ne had stretched
OUT Tor me across inc pillow, great
sense Of peace and rest stole over me
All thoughts but that of his nearneSs
le1t me II had beer so long since
had lain like that and now a was aS
though l had come home-home-a fts@
months or weary y'eaaning and wander
ing. me dear warmth anu strength
OF ms BODY seemed to draw from me
all the aching WEAKNESS and heart
sickness OF this long year. and soothed
me with wonderful rest and content.
After while he moved his head
slightly. so that his lips touched NV
hair. ny
Mary. tired. brave little woman" he
murmured softly. And then sIeDf ot,f
city with his lips Still against my hair.
And know that l would gladly 60
through again all che terrors of that
night to feel once more the peace and
JOY and nearness that came TO me
then
June 21st
nave made my nervousness about
the hre an excuse for not going anv-
where else this summer ! told Horace
yesterday that we might make a num-
Der Of weekend trips to nearby re-
sorts but that ] did not care TO go
anywhere and stay alone during The