Warren sheaf., 1910-08-11
was one round of gayety. but did not
see Or hear from David a gain

! his part at least ours had not been an
! idle Irritation. for he asked that world
| old question. and. listening. | thrilled
| at the beauty of his language.
He had driven me about in his elec
trio as shopped one glorious morning.
and we stopped to dine at restaurant
on the ninth floor of a great depart
ment store building.
1t was when we had settled our
selves in secluded corner that my
rowing eyes fell upon David. He had
evidently finished his meal and was
leaning back wearily.
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
in sobbingly. looked down upon my
corsage boquet 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, I became conscious of an air of
subdued excitement. The little wait
resses hurried about with white and
frightened faces, men talked quietly
together then hastened from the room.
"What is it?' l asked of Cyril. and
he went to see.
Presently he beckoned me from the
doorway. ''Something is wrong" he
said nervously. 1--WE had better get
out"
But as we made our way to the ele-
vators we found them already sur
rounded by a crowd pushing and strug-
Cling recklessly to get nearer the iron
doors, clerks hurried down the narrow
stairway, disorder and confusion pre-
vailed.
Then l 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"
part of the building will soon be under
control. The one great danger to be
averted at this time is a 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 We're 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.
eve will be next" he exclaimed.
"N1ake a rush for it,
Then David approached: polly" he
said very gently. Il 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 beseechingly
and then step back in sudden disap-
| pointment. She had little child in
| her arms.
| Then it all happened very quickly
! the woman had my place in the ele-
| vator. the iron door changed shut. and
| stood coughing a little with the
smoke and smiling up at David.
"Oh. Polly" he said sternly, why
did you do that?''
! And slipped my hand through his
| arm and answered honestly, Il 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 1 looked at
David now.
| He did not speak, but held me close
to his side as our life saver came flying
| up again. The people were growing
unruly now and pressed forward
roughly.
Suddenly David lifted me in his
| drmS, tue lrOu uOOfS ClOSeu again. duu
this time l was going down. down
with the fortunate ones to safety.
AS we came out into the fresh air
and were led to place beyond the
protecting rope a cheer went up from
| the crowd, and I raised my smoke
smarting eyes to the windows of the
ninth story. where little tongues of
fame leaped and curled
Sick with fear I waited knowing
that David would be the last person
to leave the burning floor. From tllue
to time faint cheers sounded as the
elevators unloaded their precious bur
dens. then with wild and glarinc
light the flames burst forth unre
strained. Tremblingly l covered my
face, but soon a mighty resounding
cheer seemed to shake the earth. "'Al
out safely" called triumphant voice
and the people all about were telling
excitedly of the presence of mind an6
tho hravor If tho man who nrovanfec