The Washington times., 1909-06-28


/ guiding frightened men and women to
personal belongings and valuabies
which he found in the deserted rooms,
and adding them TO the piles accumu-
lating in the street.
At last. on his fifth excursion, he pen
| etrated to a corridor which had not
/ hitherto been visited. Smoke eddied so
thickly about him that he had to bend
almost to the floor to escape the stran-
Cling fumes.
The six or seven rooms opening upon
the hallway he visited in quick sue
cession, but finding them all empty,
their tenants having apparently fed, he
was about to retTace his steps and seek
more fruitful field of eldeavor.
just as he turned from che threshold
of the last door, however, woman's
low, sObbing cry arrested his attention.
For instant he stood puzzled, striV-
ing to locate its source. Then the solu-
ton broke upon him.
This was not a single chamber to
which he had forced his way. but a
suite. A farther door, which he had
supposed opened into a clos led in
stead into another room.
Swiftly he crossed the floor, and
opened this door. His surmise had been
correct.
A dainty bedroom was revealed to his
gaze. and crOuched uIon the window
SILL evidently just aboCt to jump in the
extremity of her terror, was the slender
figure Of girl.
her long, uAEk ndlE SLTeElnG0 down
over her shoulders: her exquisite profile.
outlined against the red glow from the
burning armOry across the street, was
that of some rare Spanish beauty. She
had caught up a loose kimono, which
hung loosely about her. and from IN
der its hem her little bare feet peeped
out.
She was, in short, Graham felt with a
leap Of the heart, The loveliest being
his eyes had ever rested upon.
Already poised for the leap, she might
spring out at any moment. He was
even afraid TO cry out to her, lest
startled at the sound of his voice she
might tOpple from her lofty perch; for,
absorbed in her purpose. she was evil
IDENTIFY unconscious Of his nea ness.
All these contingencies flashed through
Grs.hs m s mind in a second: and almost
with his first glance at the situation,
he hal laid a plan and was already act
Noiselessiy he stole forward, his heart
in his mouth every instant, for fear she
should leap from the window. At last
a scant four feet separated them. Then.
springing forward, he caught her in his
al ms and dragged her back to safety.
1t first, in her insane horror of the
flames, she did not take kindly TO her
rescue. Her big, dark eyes were wild
and distraught She fought and strug-
gled with Graham. striving to break
his grasp.
frantically. 1T is tn only way. I tell
you. The house is On IRE behind US
saw the flames when ] looked out in
the corridor. 1 will not stay here TO be
burned alive"
Nothing thai Graham could say to
soothe her seemed TO have any effect
She only Taved the more violently at
his protests, and struggled the harder
to be free. Meanwhile precious mo-
ments were passing
At last, IN desperation. he seized her
two arms, pinioning them at her sides.
and thus holding her. forced her around
until they stood face 10 face, hts eyes
looking squarely into hers, not six
inches away.
Listen to me-" be said with master
ful authority. Il am here to save yOui
To save yOu. do you understand? You
are mistaken about the corridors being
in flames. What you saw was only a
reflection from the burning elevator
shaft. The way is clear, / know, for
only moment ago ] came along il.
To his relief he saw the wild light
fade from her eyes and give place TO a
more rational expression. She ceased
TO struggle and stood passive in his
lions.
Evidently his tone of sharp command
had gained the result he desired. Never
tbeless, before releasing her he deemed
Il wise TO clinch the impression ne had
made.
Yes" he repeated. u am going TO
save you, but to do il / must have alb
solute obedience and no hesitation al
any point. You must follow me at
evevy step. even if / seem to walk right
into the fire itself"
Yes, yes she assented eagerly. But
why do you delay? Let US go. Let as
ge out Of this terrible place"
First gather up anything you par
ticularly wish 10 save" he instructed
crisply. And here" dashing iTsto the
I bath room TO wiring out a couple Of wet
/ towels. hold one OF these over your
/ face when we pass through the smoke. "
She was in such haste TO be of. how
ever, that she was unwilling 10 wait for
anything. and. yielding to her anxiety,
Graham only delayed 10 snatch a ieWel
/ casket from the dresser and catch up a