The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1910-12-29

alone in the house. However. there
were drawbacks to their return
At first he was tolerantly interest.
ed In the story they all had to tell.
Adele began IT,
Il know you are anxious to learn
about our experience in the hotel
fire." she said. "Of course. We wrote
you a little about II. but one can't
put all the details In letter. you
know"
You see. our cottage was next. but
one to the hotel-the sweetest little
cottage you ever saw. Honestly. We
had the most popular porch on the
lake-no mosquitoes, splendid
breeze and lots of Molly's lemonade
and things. We never thought OF
anything's ever happening in such a
quiet spot, though Molly did worry
about burglars whenever there wasn't
moon.
well, anyway. about o'clock one
morning somebody shouted Fire OF
course you know. George. that am
not easily frightened, so you won't
be surprised to learn that | turned
over and went to sleep. thinking I
had dreamed 1t.
by and by Jean called me. went
to the window just in time to see the
roof fall In. Louise screamed. but
was quiet-l know was. guess
4 person herself knows whether she
screams or not.
ut was beautiful sight, though
really 1t was a little funny to see all
the boarders in their pajamas and
things. We had eight women In our
house the rest of the night, but really
there wasn't any rest. not for that
cottage. The men slept on the lawn
II was very exciting"
1t must have been" agreed Young
Hammond, I'm glad you were so
brave"
lie was opening his paper that
evening when his mother came into
the library. IT'S pleasant to find YOU
alone, George" she said II haven't
told You about the fire and the girls
are all so nervous about il still that
| don't like to speak of 1t before
them
I'VE were just nicely settled in the
cottage when was reused early IN the
morning by the smell of smoke It
must have been about o'clock.
though 1t was very dark. | went to
the window to see what was burning
When | looked out | saw the hotel
all ablaze!
THE people came pouring out OF
the doors. dragging trunks and suit
cases. and everybody was excited.
We took In about thirty women. as
did each Of the other cottagers. I
was quite agreeably surprised to find
the hotel people quite intelligent for
| had always refused to meet them.
The girls made some very warm
friends that night. 1t will be very
pleasant to meet them again here in
town"
Jean was the only one at breakfast
when young Hammond same down
late the next morning, but she well
coined him cordially.
Il am glad to see you at last" she
said. I've been waiting for you be-
cause happened to remember that
hadn't told you about the hotel fire.
1t was about midnight when was
awakened by the sight of the flames.
ION the lawn were hundreds OF
people in pajamas and things and
some of them were crying and some
were laughing as1 1t was very
exciting We took in about twenty
women and lent them clothes II
was dreadful to see the poor things,
| lent my White duck suit to a girl
who looked rather shabby. but it
seems she wasn't and she has love
ly brother and they're coming to call
as soon as she has a decent dress.
1t was a great experience.
That night after dinner young Ham,
mond's sister Louise, finding him
alone, sat on the arm of his chair
to tell him about the fire.
1T was the worst experience | ever
had" she said. "Of course. Jean and
Adele were always afraid OF bur
glars, but we never thought of fire
II was about 3 O'Clock In the morning
and everybody lost everything. was
calm as could be. but Jean cried q
long time. The flames were beauti.
full, but the people looked tragic We
took in about fifty women that night
and except for four that had Mysteries
and Ats and things they were lovely.
We lent our extra clothing to them
TO come home in. pour souls!"
She hurried to answer the teie.
phone Just a. Molly came in.
was she telling you about the
nrsf" Molly asked. she doesn't
know much about It. She always was
afraid of burglars and things and she
had Mysteries dreadfully. It hap
psned-
Between midnight and o'clock in
the morning." said young Hammond,
interrupting her. THE flames poured
>.x - the vvtudoya and the poonIa