Middletown transcript., 1909-12-23
aaAvRRY
q 81 Miriam Berkman

- - !
Ind with these words she fed from she
room. leaving her friend Agnes Dale with
a sorromEnl expression on her face. The
two girls we're intimate friends but Pearle
had snctla passionate temper, that shs
often tiew into arage over trif1es. The
quarrel was caused by few unguarded
words which Agnes had spoken. They
were stopping at fashionable hotel and
lad rooms near each other. When Pearle
left the room Agnes started after her and
reached her friends room only to have
lie doorshut IN ber face, all her entreatiet
70 be let in we're in vain, so she Eent
slowly TO her own room.
AT supper PearIe was rude to Agnes and
would not speak to her. She was unjust
in her thoughts as well as actions. That
night when both girls were sound asleep
cry Of Fire fire ! was raised. 1t was
taken up Immediately by many others,
and the hotel was soon scene of confu-
sion. TIE people ran wildly about crying
in excitement and gather ng together their
jewels and some Of their clothing. No
one knew what had caused the fire, for it
was near the middle OF the building aud
it spread quickly.
Agnes was awakened by the noise and
shouts; she sprang from her bed and
rushed to the window and saw the flames
and smoke which flied the air. Slipping
on some clothes che started for the stairs
but she stopped for she heard shrek
from PearIe's room. Should she 20 back
aud save Pearle? Should she risk her
life for her friend were some of the
thoughts which chased one another
through her mind. Turning, she ran to
the door which fortunately, was not lock.
ed, and catching her almost frenzied
friend by the arm she started white and
trembling for the stairs. It had not taken
Agnes long 10 go back to her friends
room, but in that time the stairway had
become blocked by flames. Blinded by
the smoke and almost suff ICated with the
heat, she turned and, half dragging Pearle,
groped her way back to her own room.
Once there she closed the door to keep
the smoke out and taking towels she dip.
ped them In water and gave one to tbe
pale, trembling Pearle and kept one for
herself, and they pressed them to their
faces. that they might breathe more freely.
Agnes went to the window and shouted
frantically for help. Her cries attracted
attention and brave fireman placed
ladder by the window and started up to
save the girls. The flames Lad already
entered the room and we're leaping greed
lily nearer to the girls.
The fireman started to take Agnes down,
but she insisted that Pearle should go first.
Pearle looked her thanks at Agnes, the
girl whom she had so lately ignored
Agnes leaned out Of the window pressing
the wet towel to her face but still gasping
for breath, and then, too, it was very hot.
The people below watched breath.
lessly the brave girl in the window, out.
lined clearly by the flames. The fireman
descended slowly with bis burden and
reached the bottom amid cheers from
the people. Soon the cheers ceased and
horror was plainly written on every face
Of the breathless spectators, for the
ladder had commenced to burn Agnes
saw her danger, too, but she climbed out
on the burning ladder, for tue heat in
the room was unbearsbIe,
Breathlessly the crowd watched her
slow descent. Could she do it2 Would
sue hold out we're some OF the questions
which we're asked. II the ladder should
give way she would be hurled to certain |
death in the flames waiting to receive her.
Soon Agnes heard voice shout out
loudly, Jump, for your life Be quickI
Here is q net Here is net Quick
Fear clutching al her heart she hesiItated,
then jumped and fell into tlIe net, just as
lie ladder fell with crash into the flames.
She was saved and by her courage had
saved her friend. Her heroic deed was
passed from lip 70 Iipi she vas praised ano
called heroine, but best Of MI to Agnes
she had Pearlsagaia for FREUD.
This scene was impressed upon tie /
minds of the spectators, aud they con d /
never forget the awful scene of the young
girl hanging on the burning ladder.