Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-11-03
Evening Star S
Daily Story
A NIGHT ALARM
BY JOHN DARLING.

paper Syndfcate.
s'Do you see this key. Marjorie?"
asked Harold Vance, exhibiting a
brand new. good sized key.
I'm not blind yet, Buddie" laughed
the girl. What is it. key to your
hearth"
Nothing like it. sis, it's the key to
the new firehouse down the lane. I'm
going to hang it in the vestibule on
that brass hook by the door. and if
ever you need it-case of emergency,
YOU know--why there it is. And"
added the young man with some pride,
I'D have you know that your brother
is captain of the South Glen View
volunteer fire department Salute
mel"
Marjorie made him sweeping bow
as he passed before her and went into
the vestibule to hang up the key. The
Importance of this volunteer fire de-
partment overwheims me. I'm sure.
Nevertheless it was satisfying
sensation that the neighborhood OF
Glen View experienced when the small
.direhouse was completed and equipped.
The settlement heretofore had been
between two districts covered by
volunteer iremen, and the inhabitants
tilt1u always 1cd1Cu hlC ~ AAAao
reason. Thus 1t had organized the
small corps and had built and
equipped the engine-h house. Young
Harold Vance had been chosen cap
tain, because he had been an active
worker in all community projects. The
other members were men of the set
Element, married and single.
When Halloween approached the
volunteer firemen had few misgiv
In n he eof Of fhair al
ratus, for the bright red equipment
of the tiny house had been made
sport of by some of the neighboring
boys. They might take advantage of
the frolicsome spirit of Halloween to
make away with the contents Of the
new f1rehouse.
II believe someone had better sleep
here tonight" suggested one of the
members, chief of patrol, TO use his
recently-acquired title.
Good idea" acquiesced Captain
Vance. who'll do it?"
No one seemed anxious for the re-
sponsibility, and yet there was room
for only one, II the man We're to seep
1.-The basket of the hose wagon hay
ing been chosen as a spot most COM
Portable to sleep in.
''I'll do it, Stanley Donaldson said.
at length. He was a big fellow and
had been appointed first lieutenant of
the company.
You'll look cunnin' in that basket,
Stan" chaffed Vance
Never mind the. looks. See that l
don't have to ring in an alarm-that's
all | ask Donaldson replied, slowly.
The words had no sooner passed his
lips than the idea sprang up in his
brain. He would see to 1t that he was
not the only one to feel responsibility
in his fire department.
That night, when all seemed still, all
pranksters had returned home and
everything was dark, the young lieu
tenant, alone in the small f1rehouse
in the lane rang In the alarm. He
sounded three times ON the large tri-
angle of steel and sat down to await
the arrival OF the volunteers.
Presently down the lane on the
run came some one, but there
seemed to be no rush of volunteers.
A lone person was approaching and
that person was--a grit 3
Stanley called out "Hellor'
.'IIello-oh. Stanley, l couldn't
wake Harold up and II grabbed the
key and came in his place. He-he
sleeps so soundly, and oh--where's
the fire? Do hurry!" She looked
about her in distress, holding to-
gether her long loose coat and tuck
ing in two braids of hair.
"Fire-why Marie. there isn't any.
Twill you ever forgive me for get
ting you out at this unearthly hour?
] was just trying to get even with the
fellows for letting me be the goat
and stay here all night alone. But
you see what efficient firemen they
are--not a soul turned up
"Thank you," Marjorie said. icily.
mot fireman. beg pardon. And
now, let me walk home with you. You
must be cold"
Gold? After that rum"
Stanley looked at her as she stood
Under the light that ornamented the
front of the small building. He had
never seen her look so lovely. Her
parted hair falling in loose braids
made her wonderfully pretty. Stan
ley had always more than admired
her, but with his slow, easy-going
methods he had been unable to tell
her SO.
Butt can't stay here" Marjorie
said, after an awkward silence
"Of course not-come; but wait"
He caught her by the arm. II have
an ideal"
Not real one. stanley?" Mar
1orie laughed
He opened wide the door of the fire.
house and drew out the big red
wagon. Get on and III pull you
NQIlle- CtH 10 II anu IL II bC q
tark," he cried
''I'll do nothing of the sort--it's too
heavy, child" Marjorie retorted.
patronizingly; "butsI will help you
to drag 1t away from here, and we'll
give the boys a fright. If they can't
even wake up when an alarm is given
they deserve to have their precious
equipment taken from them. Get
hold I'm ashamed of my brother
Harold"
The two dragged the big red cart
down the lane and along a street to
"a vacant lot, where they managed to
hide it among some shrubbery.
'Whatll I tell them?" asked STAN
fey as he and Marjorie strolled
toward her home.
Marjorie's brow puckered. "Oh,
tell them you were kidnapped
stolen, anything"
II have been stolen-partly, at
least" he said pointedly.
Have your Marjorie asked,
naively.
YES. you've quite stolen my heart
tonight, Marie. I've always been fond
of you. girl but tonight I-well. to-
night know I love you. And what a
way to find it outi Do YOU"
do plead guilty and will l serve
sentence. Stanley? Is this what you
want to ask?"
Stanley took her hand and drew it
through his arm. THAT and much
more, dear" And after a long time
he leaned far over the gate at her
home and said: "We'll always re-
member the first night alarm of the
r.s--