Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-02-26

thought of any save himself, sprang
for the single door that opened on TO
the big floor. A cry escaped him. The
knob had refused to turn. Something
had fallen against it from the out
side.
Already the smoke was increasing,
filing the room and choking the two
imprisoned men. Instinctively, with a
common thought both ran to the
window. 1t was but a short drop to
the ground and safety. Yet scarcely
had they taken a dozen steps before,
with a sullen roar, the ceiling above
them crashed in, burying them be-
meath the beams, and lath. and crumb-
ling plaster.
King, the stronger Of the two, was
first to gain his senses His coat was
torn from one shoulder, and the flesh
was ripped horribly. After a few min
utes of search he came upon the fore
man face to the floor, and practically
unhurt.
Half lifting, half dragging, he
brought the neryeless mar to the win
dow. Once there, with almost super
human strength, he put him across
the sill and pushed him over. II was
the only way of escaping the flames.
He rested a moment after his eff
fort, for his wound was leaping and
stabbing like mad. and his head whirl-
ing confusedly. Finally, with a quick
sucking in of his breath, he threw one
leg over the sill, and, with his hands
braced on either side, drew himself
forward. Abruptly, as il a gigantic
hand had crushed against his chest,
he reeled, and with a fainting groan,
toppled backward.
Then, almost as if in a dream,
came another sound. Eagerly he lis
tened. They were ak blows. He turn
ed instinctively toward the door. He
saw It tremble hold secure for a space
and then crash inward.
He gave a cry of amazement at the
form that lurched drunkenly toward
him. 1t was a woman A skirt was
pinned tight about her head and neck,
yet he caught an instant's glimpse of
her face. 1t was Ruth!
Get back!' he screamed. The
stairs will be down in a second. Get
back, Ruth"
But she only smiled.
I'm going to get you out of here,
Jerry" she answered, with a quick
little catch in her words. I'm going
to get you out"
You can't, I tell you, Ruth" and
he felt suddenly hot all over. IT'S
too late. Anyway, / saved him-him
for you, Ruth. You like him, don't
you? You do, you do! I knew it, and
and | saved him for you. 1t was the
best could do. The cut in my
shoulder-but it don't matter about
me-"
Don't say that, Jerry" she entreat-
ed. 81 never meant anything-any-
thing. 1t was you, Jerry, you all the
time. / didn't care for Mullins. Do
YOU think d come in here after you,
Jerry, if I didn't love you? I'm 60
ing to save you for myself. You're
mine, mine, Jerry, and amt going
to let nobody take you away"
The flames were mounting higher
and higher now, and the very air was
acid. King realized the utter hope
lessness of even gaining the ground.
But suddenly, like specters from
another world, a party Of men appear
ed through the smoke. With tremu-
lous voice Ruth called. The men
came hurriedly toward them. King
felt strong arms around him, and
| gulped back a prayer.
Limply, spent with her efforts, the
girl swayed and fell back against him.
She chung to his body, her face close
to his own.
You're mine. Jerry she whisper
ed triumphantly. 81 saved you, and
and you're mine. There's light ahead
of us Jerry. We're going toward it to-
gether; you and me, Jerry, o and
me-"