The Ordway new era., 1910-01-07

When the Maltbys took their cot
tage at the seashore they naturally
took their two servants with them.
The servants had the two rooms
on the top floor. To reach them
you had to go up long. narrow pair
OF stairs.
Maltby was methodical, humanita-
rian and cautious.
The first night he woke up about
midnight and got thinking about
fire.
Suppose" said Maltby to himself.
there should be n fire, how would
we get the girls out in timer"
He woke up his wife and told her
about 1t.
"Nonsense!" said Mrs. Maltby. sleep
lily.
But it's a serious thing" said
Maltby. IT'S just this lack OF pre-
caution. this want Of intelligence be-
forehand. this Is responsible for great
loss OF life. Isn't that so?"
Very likely" drowsed Mrs. Mal:by.
How would we get them down!
How would we make them move
quickly enough"
Go to sleep!'
DO you smell smoker" said MaItby.
hoping to wake her up.
Mrs. Maltby vouchsafed no answer.
Maltby thought ON.
The more he thought Of 1t the more
serious the problem was. Two human
lives in constant danger! 1t was ter
rib!e. And he would be responsible!
So long as he lived 1t would always
haunt him. No. AS matter OF or.
dnary precaution he most do some.
thing.
Suddenly there came. out OF the in.
tense darkness brilliant idea. He
would have a fire drill. They always
had 1t in schools. II 1t worked once.
that would settle the whole matter.
II 1t didn't work. then every one would
bless him for making the discovery
He got up stealthiiy and put on his
bathrobe. He got his watch. in order
to take IL time. And then. watch In
hand. and "tole upstairs.
Ready" he said to himself in front
Of the girls door. Col" ..l.,... !.
ae pounded on the door and at the
same time shouted "Fire!" Silence.
He repeated the experiment. There
was a slight noise inside.
Once more he shouted fire.
He was answered by loud shrek.
In about second and half two
white-robed figures bounded out Of
the door. shrieking at the top Of their
voices. Ma.tby followed them down.
stairs. At the door he took the time
"One minute and half" he shout.
ed. "Great! l had no idea that 1t
could be done in that time. Girls.
you did fine"
In the meantime the girls. half hys-
terical. had hidden themselves be-
hind the kitchen closet.
You said the house was on fire."
said Bridget. Sure there's nothing
the matter that | can see
Dim that scared" trembled Della.
Maltby explained. He was ust see-
ing how quick they could get out. He
ordered them back to bed.
In the meantime. Mrs. Maltby,
aroused by the noise. and finding
her husband absent, descended the
stairs.
What is tho matter!" he ex-
claimed.
Nothing" replied Maltby. Just .
fire drill. that's all. As long as you
yourself care nothing for human life.
why | must. ! had a fire drill"
Mrs. Maltby wrung her hands.
Where are the grls?" she asked
Gone back. of course, to sleep qui.
etly and peaceab!y the rest Of the
night. Very intelligent girls. those"
Don't you believe it,"
Even as she spoke, two figures
once more descended the stairs. Each
had bundle.
What's this?" asked Maltby.
Bridget spoke.
We leave here on the first train In
the morning."
But, girls, don't you understand. I
was merely taking an ordinary precau.
tion. was looking out for you.
wanted TO prove that you could get
out in time"
Mrs. Maltby grabbed him by the
arm and pushed him through the door
gently but firmly. There was FIRE
in her eyes that he recognized meant
business, even in the dim light.
Go upstairs and leave me herc!"
she said. Maltby went
It was perhaps half an hour later
that his wife returned. She was calm,
but frigid.
you are a very intelligent person,
aren't you?" she said.
II think I am said Maltby,
weakly.
You understand of course. that II
these girls don't stay we shall have
to give up this place and go back
home, and that it will only cost you
$500 for rent, besides the inconve.
nience and loss of health"