The citizen., 1914-12-11
MOST OF THE VICTIMS
WOMEN AND CHILDREN
inferior Construction Charged and
Rigid Inquiry by Both State and
Federal Authorities to Begin
at Once.

As he finished the last of the scream
ing headlines Reynolds stood almost
rigid with terror. Neither he nor Jane
spoke a word. Dick, watching his
friend for sign Of physical relapse he
dreaded, noted the look of terror as
Bob's eyes left the paper and glanced
at his. He construed the dread alarm
that glance conveyed as one of per-
sonal concern and fastened to offer
such meager assurances as he could.
There's no real report about the
cause yet, Bob" he said. "They mere
ly say the work was not up to standard
and by the time they find out where
the real weakness was-the cement
you and Jane will be we'll away. You
must be-" he added quickly, as Rey-
nolds raised hand of dissent. you
can't think Of anything else for quick
and sufficient protection Of"
But Reynolds cut him off with an
other wave of his hand-this time
gesture for silence, imperative and i'm
perious.
How many are really dead?" he
asked almost inaudibly and sank down
on the divan with face buried in his
hands.
Probably hundred or less, by the
time the truth is sifted out" Dick an
swered. "You know reports of these
things are always exaggerated in the
newspapers. Not Intentionally" he
continued, In quick defense of his call
ing, "but the suddenness and horror of
any catastrophe always impresses the
man who is sending the report with
the idea Of a greater calamity than
actually occurs. And there is always
propensity for overestimating rather
than Understanding. Especially in
foods. There are hundred ways for
escape that are never thought Of"
Again Reynolds interrupted him.
Men - women and children
dead" he cried hoarsely. Dead, and
killed them!"
He repeated the accusation over and
over. There was no thought of the
personal penalty he faced. Truly Dick
had misunderstood the appeal of that
pitiful look, one that would rend the
heart Of the coldest man. For Rey-
nolds was not entirely unprepared for
this terrible elimination of his sin.
Twice In his dreams the terrible phan-
tasm of such scene had come and
then, as now, 1t had brought no
thought Of self peril, but realization OF
the awful effect of his transgression.
To Jane the announcement Of the
disaster brought not only shock, but
sickening fear, and womanlike, her
first thought was self-preservation
She staggered up from the divan
where she had sunk beside her hus-
band and stood wringing her hands in
hysterical way while from lips that
were dry and parched, she whispered:
an pack the things, Bob. We should
get away-away-now. Every mo-
ment Is precious"
She looked appealingly at the re-
porter as if urging confirmation of
her fears, and he was not slow in sec
onding them.
"She's right, Bob" he warned brisk
ly. "The telephone may ring or some
one may come any minute. Come, old
man. brace up for your own sake and
for James. What's done can't be un-
done now and the thing for you te do
is to act quickly for the protection OF
all Come" he repeated and pulled
gently at his friends coat sleeve. But
Reynolds sat immovable with face still
pressed between his hands and through
them, raven like. he moaned:
Men - women - and - children
Dead. Oh, my God!-And killed
them"
The stupor and apparent helpless
ness of her husband aroused Jane now
to acute realization of their peril and
the need of immediate action In which
she must take the lead. She stole
softly behind the divan and bending
over, drew Bob's hands away from his
face. With infinite tenderness she
pressed her own hands against his
temples and held them there as IL she
hoped the touch Of them would end the
wild throbbing of his brain. She
coaxed and petted him as one might
a suffering child.
bob, DEAR" she cried softly, come.
Do as Dick Says. You know we must
get away. There Is no other way now.
I love you. dear, and want the chance
to show It; to begin all over; to con-
vince you that you didn't marry Just a
grasping. worldly woman, but what
you thought you did--a woman who
can love and make you happy"
A sudden changing at the doorbell
startled them and put an end to James
soft persuasions. It reused even Rey-
nolds from his lethargic grief. He
glanced up with the others, but his
look was one Of quiet resignation