Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1910-10-28

mer time friends by proving that upon
his part at least ours had not been an
idle Irritation. for. The asked that world
old question. and. listening. | thrilled
ut the beauty Of his language.
| He had driven me abou, in his cleo.
trio as ! shoppcd enc glorious morning.
ind we stopped to dine at a restaurant
on the ninth floor of great depart
ment store building.
! 1t was when we had settled our
selves in u secluded corner that my
rowing eyes fell upon David. He had
evidently finished his meal and was
leaning back YEARLY.
How white and thin he looked.
Working steadily all summer without
rest or recreation had been too hard
on him.
The pianist began to play something
weird and sad, and the violin Joined
III sobbingly. looked down upon my
corsage boquct of white violets tied
with silken cord. and resentment rose
within me at the thought that with
all his unceasing labor David could
not hope to buy the violets which
Cyril bestowed so lavishly.
Then above the hum of conversa-
ton. even above the crash of the mu-
sic, became conscious of an air of
subdued excitement. The little wait.
resses hurried about with white and
frightened faces. men talked quietly
together then fastened from the room.
hot jc I 30
he went to see.
Presently he beckoned me from the
doorway. Something is wrong" he
said nervously. I'VE had better get
out"
But as we made our way to the ele-
vators we found them already sur
rounded by Il crowd pushing and strug-
Cling rccklcssly to get nearer the iron
doors. clerks hurried down the narrow
stairway. disorder and confusion pre-
vailed.
Then ! saw Davids tall figure He
had been speaking to one of the man
ayers. Now his voice rang out clear.
ly, convincingly:
There is no cause to be alarmed"
he said. "A slight fire in the front
part of the building will soon be under
control. The one great danger to he
avcrted at this time is panic. The
elevators can easily carry every one
here to safety in short time; cool
ness and obedience are all that is re-
quired."
He went about quickly. and with the
aid of men who followed his directions
long lines were formed reaching to the
doors Of the elevators. which worked
swiftly as the orderly rows of people
moved slowly forward or patiently
awaited their turn.
There was no sound within now save
David's voice encouraging, reassuring.
Cyril clutched my arm frantically.
1--WE will be next he exclaimed.
"AIakc rush for it,
Then David approached: Polly" he
said very gently. II am glad that you
are near the door,"
"Just two MORE" called the elevator
man as Cyril hurried me forward. We
had entered the car, when saw a
woman look up at Cyril bcsccchingly
and then step back in sudden tlsap-
pointmcnt She had little child in
her arms.
Then it all happened very quickly
the woman had my place in the Gle
vator. the iron door changed Shut, and
stood coughing little With the
smoke and smiling up at David.
"Oh, POLLY he said stcrnly, "why
did you do that?"
And slipped my hand through Ills
arm and answered honestly, II did it.
David. because could not bear to be
outside while you were here, and am
going to stay with you TO the last
! have read in stories of faces being
Illuminated, and understood the full
meaning of the word as looked at
David now.
lie did not speak. but held me close
to his silc rs our life saver came flying
up again. Tho people were growing,
unruly now and pressed forward
roughly.
Suddenly David lifted me in his
arms, the iron doors closed again, and
This time ! was going down. down
with the fortunate ones to safety.
AS we came out into the fresh nir
and were led to a place beyond the
protecting rope Il cheer went up from
the crowd. and | raised my smoke
smarting eyes to the windows OF the
ninth story. where little tongues of
/ flame lraped and c,lrlcd
! Sick with fear waited. knowing
that David would be the last person
to leave the burning floor. From tiiue
to time faint cheers sounded rs the
elevators unloaded their precious bur-
dens. then with wild and glaring
/ light the flames burst forth unre-
strained. Trenblingly l covered my
face, but soon mighty resounding
cheer seemed to shake the earth. "All
out safely" called a triumphant voice.
! and the people all about were telling
excitedly Of the presence of mind and