The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1911-06-25


where they were. and be quickly slip
ped supporting arm around her.
gathered her close to him and was on
the point Of kissing her when she re-
covered and drew away from him.
"Ah. Paula, Paula, love your be
exclaimed in his low, rich voice, and.
bending close to her: Il love you more
than Ancona ever knew how to love
woman. | will marry you'll shall
die If do not! Paula mia | would
give my life for you! Come with me
away from this hated country-come
back to Italia, to the red. white and
greenw
He was about to snatch her to him
again when some passengers came
Bcurrying around the corner and most
inconsiderately seated themselves too
close for his further Iovemaking.
Pietro was sad because Paula had not
committed herself to his keeping.
Evening came, and they were on the
long and scarcely finished recreation
pier, where the wonderful city was
giving free entertainment for It's peo-
pie. They danced with the crowds,
listened to the music Of the band and
Joined In the general merrymaking.
Fascinated by the myriads of lights
along the water front and on the
boats. Paula ran frequently to the end
Of the pier and looked out on this new
marvel. Then again she must see and
enjoy and exclaim over the elaborate
fireworks display. Truly this amaz-
ing America had not been half enough
exploited. And Giuseppe belongs to
it." she repeated over and over to her
self
Binconte the while was persistently
begging her to cast Giuseppe aside for
him.
I'VE will be married tomorrow and
sail for Italy the next day." be plead
ed, holding Paula close to him as they
waltzed to a popular air.
why so soonT Paula asked, sur
! prised at his eagerness to sail earlier
than he had planned.
Before Binconte could reply there
arose a wild commotion all around
them. They stopped dancing sudden
| ~, and at the extreme river end of the
pier. frightened and wild eyed. they
stared and wondered
The floor was giving way beneath
their feet. The roof was falling in.
Huge Orders and pillars were topping.
and presently, amid terrifying cries
and shouts of the hundreds Of persons.
the entire structure bent, shook and
sagged together in a horrible, destruc-
tive mass. its grinding crash commin-
Cling with the agonizing screams Of
those it crunched under its weight.
simultaneously long tongues Of fire
sprang up, stretched out, rolled and
crept along, soon converting the ruin
into q diabolicaI holocaust Only one
avenue of escape was left for those
not already caught and pinned down
to certain death. single narrow stair
way near where Paula and Binconte
were, and In less time than 1t takes to
tell that exit was blocked. Those
ahead moved too slowly and were
pitched down the stairs or to the floor,
while others stampeded over them
Those in the rear. driven frantic by
the approaching fire, fought like de-
mons to get to safety.
Paula was wedged between a couple
of heavy beams that suspended her
out over the rushing river. She looked
j for Pietro. He was few yards from
her. kicking. striking. pummeling as
furiously as the other human beasts.
for escape She called to him, begging
| for his assistance, but he might have
been across the sea in his adored Italy,
so deaf were his ears to her appeals.
Paula never knew how long she re-
manned in the faint while she hung
there in the very jaws of death. With
returning consciousness she heard men