The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-09-09

| with MS nat. ached all over, but
lay back upon the grass and thanked
my Woodworking old guardian ange
that | was still aboard this pretty
good old earth.
Then | heard crash like thou
sand claps Of thunder. The eartl
seemed TO reel before the blast like
a ship In storm. Between US and
that red glare something shot upward
something big, black and screechinl
IA building that man had studied and
planned and labored 10 build. An
other followed. and another and an
other, like handfuls Of sand thrown II
the air by children. Whole squares
seemed rising and melting. 1t was
br-r-r-um, br-r-r-um, br-r-r-um-um-um
There was no waiting. no pause. Tn,
world seemed leaping into atoms
while the flames reached Up long arms
to grasp the fragments before they re
turned to earth. 1t was the wrath Of
God pitted against the fiendishness Of
Satan. 1t was awful--awful!
Amy covered her eyes with hel
hands and sobbed softly.
"Don'tr begged Jack. "Please don't
/ can't stand itw
She raised her eyes to his suddenly
"0h." she said, do you care?"
"Yesr he cried passionately and held
out his hands He was standing above
her. ! never saw greater tenderness:
on mans face
For an instant she looked at him
then lowered her eyes again. A pear
glistened on the end Of lash.
"You aren't fair" she said. rather
rebelliously, "You are taking an ad
vantage"
Il am unfair" he replied tremulous
ly. Forgive me- He turned abouI
and bit his nails. He was pale. yeI
perspiration beaded his forehead
Presently he faced her again.
II am sorry" he said. I'VE might
have saved some Of your effects. Yo.
have lost everything. am afraid. for
see, the flames must already have
reached your hotel" His voice was
solicitous. almost tender. Yet there
was no trace Of passion In II.
NO." she said. Il did not lose all
The rest does not matter" She spoke
softly, avoiding his eyes.
You saved something's he asked
He was looking away 10 where the dy
Mantle and the fire were leaping al
each others throat.
"a triie." she said YEARLY. raising
her eyes and dropping them again. II
had gone back after II and was return
ing when-you came"
l saw him glance at her quickly
then avert his eyes. "If might
guess he began, but she interrupted
you. forget. You are not to be un
fair"
lie bit his lip. but smiled waniy
"Come, then" be said. 1T were best
we go. ! will take you 10 Sister Grace
in Oakland. Would you mindT
She hesitated Il will promise not &c
see YOU be resumed quickly. .un
less
.Unlesss"
Unless you wish.
II will not mind. them" she said.
Again we were In the throng. push
ing. showing. With Amy between us
Jack aud | fought our way inch b.
inch till we reached the ferry build
ing and were aboard the boat. Slowly
we crossed the bay with the pace Of
a snail. The red flames seemed leap
ing toward us as though seeking e
clasp vs. 70 their scarlet breasts. W,
could see the streets leading down 4
the wharfs- black with creatures, dumt
and swaying with the intensity Of aw
fnl despair The water front was /
surging mass. the docks crowded witt
crineing humanity. their faces iend
ish ~ the reddish. pickering light.
when ! felt my feet again On sollt
ground took full breath. / dom
think ever put my lungs to any bet
ter Hse Amy was laughing 1.-THE IN
natural ruerrimenf OF one whose nerves
are frayei at the edges. Jack guide
her out % the crowd. His face wa
tense with The words that trembIed ii
his eyes. but were not 70 be spoken
lie was aging fast The strain. tn
anxiety. the hcariache. were tellini
on him. We were al silent-f clInginl
to the JOY Of living. Amy with dew
eyes. Jack drinking IN the sweetnes,