Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1912-12-31


1t was past eleven, and another hour
woald find him tumbling into his
warm bed at the life-saving station.
The night was clear and dark, with
a light westerly breeze, and the surf
broke ON the inlet bar with a hushed,
sleepy sound. In spite Of the fine
weather Joe sent dutiful glances sea
ward at frequent intervals; one new
or knows. But his thoughts were
running busily upon concerns Of his
own, especially upon one recent and
painful experience.
Wish / could quit thinking about
Elsa Robinsoni Little Miss High
an'-Mighty---scts like she was e.
duchess and near ,aboat owned the
beachp' he mused bitterly. "Jus'
because I'm sort OF new ia The serv-
ice and haven't been cut 70 any bad
wrecks she twita ms with being only
show life saver. You boys look
nice in the moving pictures, ssys
she, but you'd better wait till you've
had some experience before you ak
me again to marry yon. I don't
want nothing but real hero says
she, turning up her cute Little chin, |
Wish / had spuQk enough to keep
from ever speaking to her again, |
butt He sighed, and gave long |
ing glance toward a littls cottage, |
where the piquant lessie who had |
captured his heart lived alone with |
her father, 4 small contractor in the
employ Of the land company.
Leaving the edge Of the settlement
behind him, Joe visited the lonely |
point of sand and beach grass where
the key-post stood, wound his clock
and started briskly on the return
journey, whistling with growing
cheerfulness as he thought of his
bed and the coffee pot on the back
Of the station stove, for the late au-
tumn air was chilly. AS he repassed
the Robinson cottage helooked, and |
sighed again from force of habit;
out he shifted inquiringly. At a
front window an uncertain CLEAN of |
reddish light had caught his eye,
.hough it hickered and disappeared
20 quickly that he almost doubted
is existence. 81 certainly do smell
moke, though" he muttered; "and
here's the light again, for sure.
Funny, too, for it was all dark when
went past before, and Elsa said l
hat she and her father were going
Ishore today to stay overnight. Won
ler if they've changed their plans, I
II maybe they've left a fire in the
tove and something's gone wrongI"
Joe was running toward the houseIe e
t full speed, his senseslof duty on
he alert, for fire as well as water
nay call the government life saver
lto action The shutters were open, ;
nd, looking In at front window, +
e discovered that the glare shone
through an open doorway inside. He
an to the rear, and glance through i
be kitchen window showed that the /
Dom was afame and that there was !
title chance Of saving the house un-
ess active measures were taken at !
nee. He must find out whether the >
ouse was empty before rousing the I
eighbors and his mates at the more !,
istant station. h
"Can't be there's anyone here" he h
pausing to listen. But Q
ark! AS the flames shot higher, f
new invasion of the t
tairway and upper floor he heard t
eebIe sound, like a gasping cry for t
lelp. Running to the front, he list n
ned again. Yes, there could be no i
loubt of it. Some one was in the i
ront bedroom and the stairs were
n fire.
There was but one thing to do, and
Barton did it without a moments
lesitation With sailors quickness .
md skill, he climbed one of the col c
INNS of the porch, ran over the roof I
md broke in window. A gush Of y
smoke halted him for :
moment, and a burst of flame within, I
aimed by the fresh air, warned him
hat there was no time to lose. He
dropped in at the window, groped his
way to a bed in the corner and
ragged out the limp and senseless :
: - .a A s 80 4