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

showed. Here and there the shadows
shifted. rose and fell-wave shadows.
From above, from below, from every
side came grinding, SCATTERING. roar
ing. like hundred trains crossing q
hundred bridges. Then followed the sill
very rattle of breaking glass. the thun-
derous crash of walls, wild screams
that grew feeble, ceased. then silence.
ran TO a window, but could see
nothing but dust. dust 1t shut out the
day and the moon. CROPPED back into
the room. Jack was standing In the
open door. twisting and untwisting his
soft felt hat.
Earthquake! My Godm he cried in
a hoarse whisper
tried to speak, but my tongue wa.
frozen. I reached out my hand and
touched his coat. felt the warmth Of
his body and laughed like child that
feels the pressure Of its mothers kiss
in the dark.
He clutched my arm. "Come" he
cried. Come 1t was a savage cry.
yet trembling with agony.
.'Where?" ! asked. l was frightened
at my own voice.
Amy" he cried. "Merciful God.
Amy
We went down the stairs-stagger-
ing. falling. struggling. We went down
the stairs. He was the first In the
street. ! after him He led the way.
and | followed Over piles of brick
and iron. through dust that choked
and Minded we ran. The streets were
full 81 people. running Ike we were.
! But there was no word spoken. save
only the err Of some one under a wall
CT the grooming Of mother TO child
10 her arms
was beginning TO breathe once
, mere and TO get new grip on life
when again came the rumble and roar.
and the earth trembled In its agony
TILL buildings leaned I'LL they all hat
touched. could see but a narrow
Inc n sky between. thought they
would fall and crush me. but ! didn't
eare. didn't care for anything I
wanted 10 laugh. thought II didn't
lanch I'd Gle But didn't ran.
could hardly keep on my feet. ]
seemed II ~ stumbling over ridges of
earth thar sank ont of sight when
stepped on them.
Jack kent RIGHT ahead OF me. but
presently be stopped 90 suddenly that
I ran into lin
"oh." be said. 4 can't leave them
there" HIs face was pale as death
anxiety burned IN his eyes. but a
great pity ;rembied IN bis voice.
"cant leave whom. ! gasped. but
already he had turned hack.
I followed. ard We cane 20 frat
woman sitiirg ON the -curbstone. In
her arms rs baby. AZ her knee
was 4 little Girl. The girl was crying
on the woman's face was the paleness
~ inter exhaustion . her llps was
Il PRAYER. ard IN her eyes. resting or
her chi'fren. the dcpp pain with which
love embitiers despair
Madam" he said. ''yon will let u
help you"
She looked at him. In her eyes .
blessing worlds could not purchase
lie claspcd the baby III hIs arms and
m0tioned for me 10 take the girl
Then. with his strong hand graspinl
the womnn's arm. we hurried away.
Three blocks distant q man bOlteC
into us-a llrge. broad ghouldered mar
with crime ON bis hands and greas,
and dirt on bis face TINT shone pax
peneatb The woman threw her arm
about the mans neck and sobbed. and
fhe man took Jacks hand and held Z
for MI instant. then reached forth hil
arms fer ie babe. Jack kissed th'
/ child and banded II 10 him and stoo,
looking III Z nl4tfnily until they werV
swallowed The ihfOng.
/ We rassef q church. The door wa
open 4 few candles burned dlmly
without on the stone steps blacl
rollpd priert stood. crucifx IN aIr
chanting. About him few u ih
faithful knelt Ills black locks wer
blowing III the rising breeze. lis eye
were upturned. Upon his calm fac
was written. Peace. be still"
~ we came 10 d corner. where Jacl
paused aud caught my arm Ills fac
was without color. CHASTITY IN tb
weird light " the new day. Ills soIc
was scarcely more than wbispei
| Ills eyes shone like those Of one VIII
has staked his last cent upon the tnr
n wheel and knows the issue ii lif
or death.
i tom" he cried. look. cannot
cannot. He covered bis face wit
hls,hands. lie was trembling. A chill
ran past crying for It's mother.
Look whefeY' asked.
| ~ gLnrcd II me dumbIy and raise
bis haiJ 20 bis head. then lowered b
4 red blDich CLEANED duly on hi
brow n the pdge ~ bis hair. Ills III
ger were rcd
TON" he was on his knees, griI