Middletown transcript., 1910-01-29

" - - -
arm with both hands.
But he did not turn to her. He
did NOT seem to notice her cry,
not the gentle pressure on his
arm. His keen gray eyes were
watching the opposite house.
Then he swiftly turned.
Stand on the porch, he com
manded, | may need you.
And he was out in the wild
storm, bareheaded- ia S hin g
down the walk and across the
street.
The girl on the porch watched
him try the front door. Then
she saw him catch up the door
mat and batter in the nearest
window. AS the crashing glass
fell inward a puff Of smoke
stream out and she saw that the
room was on FIRE.
Dsvid Sherman forced himself
through the window and then
the smoke faded, and presently
the front door opened and David
sprang out and down the steps.
He had something in his arms
wrapped in a shawl, something he
held close to his breast He was
across the street in an instant
and had put bis burden in Kate
Kangley's outstreched arms.
See If that isn't all right, he
cried, and turned and ran back.
Kate unrolled the shawl and
there was o baby girl who looked
up in her face and smiled. She
held up the child. The fiery Wis
itation had not harmed it.
Five minutes later David sp-
peared in the opposite doorway.
The downpour had almost ceased.
He rapidly crossed the street and
met the girls agitated look with
the smile that she liked.
Everything's all right, be said.
The mother wants her baby.
Will you come too Then get a
wrap.
He took the baby from her and
tenderly drew the shawl about
it, and they crossed the street.
Kate gave a little shudder when
she saw the cleaning whiteness
of the riven tree trunk. And she
shuddered again at the gaping
window, the blackened curtains,
the plaster that had fallen to the
floor.
In the inner doorway stood q
pale little woman who gave q
quick scream as David put his
bundle in her arms.
My baby! she cried and stared
at the child and clntched 1t to her
breast.
Thegirl suffered no harm, said
Kate very gently as she stepped
forward.
Oh, it's you, Miss Langley,
said the mother. Wasn't it won.
derfnl! /! We are both safe; I
never knew what happened.
It came 80 suddenly. Baby
was in my arms-and then the
the next thing I remember this
gentleman was walking me mp
and down the room telling me
baby was safe. And / didn't even
know the house was on ire. /
suppose yon attended TO that, too.
sir. She looked at David With
tears in her gentle eyes. IL
could thank you better, sir, il |
knew your name.
David opened his lips, but Kate
hastily interrupted.
His name is David Sherman,
she said. It would have been
like him to have told you he was
somebody else.
David stared at her.
David Sherman, cried the lit.
tie mother. Why. why, that's
fine /! am Mrs. John Thurston,
and John Thurston il one Of the
directors Of the company of
which you are manager. He has
spoken OF you many times. He
thinks 50 much Of you. She sud-
denly put out her hand, but David
looked at his blackened fingers
and shook his head.
Mr.. Sherman will come in and
be thanked when he is a little
more presentable, said Kate, in
her quick way. Is there any
| thing further that he can do?
No, no, thank you, cried the
little mother, Both my maids are
out, but expect mamma here at
any moment. Hark, there's her
electric in the driveway now.
Won't you stay an meet her 7
No, no, Kate answered. We
will call later. Come, David
Sherman.
And she hurried him across
Akn eAwaak ar9 So