The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-31

lueD ~ to the safety Of their apparatus
for the bright red equipment Of the
some of the neighboring boys. They
might take Advantage OF the frolfc-
some spirit of Halloween to make
away with the contents Of the new fire
house.
II believe some one. had better SLEEP
here tonight" suggested one OF the
members, chief OF patrol, to use his
recently acquired title.
Vance. Who'll do II ?s'
No one seemed anxious for the re-
sponsibility and yet there was room
for only one IL the man were to sleep
the basket Of the hose wagon hav-
Ing been chosen ~ 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.s chaffsd Vance.
Never mind the looks. See that
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 It 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 fire house
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 per-
nd
was-a girl!
Stanley called out. 'He1lo!"
''Hello-oh. Stanley. couldn't
wake Harold up and IL 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
together her long loose coat and
tucking in two braids OF hair.
"Fire-why, Marie. there isn't
any. will you ever forgive me
for getting you out at this unearthly
hour? I was just trying to get even
with the fellows for letting me be
But you see what efficient flremen
they are-not a soul turned up"
Thank you" Marjorie said, icily.
mot fireman-I beg pardon. And
now, let me walk home with you.
You must be cold.'
COl0. Alter tudI run
Stanley looked at her as she stood
under the light that ornamented the !
front OF the small building. He had
never seeI her look so lovely. Her
parted hair falling in loose braids |
made her wonderfully pretty. Stanley |
had always more than admired her, |
but with his slow. easy-going meth |
DDS 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-"l
He caught her by the arm. II have an |
dear
mot a real one. stanley?" Marjorie
aughed.
He opened wide the door of the fire.
house and drew out the big red wagon.
Get on and Til push you home. can
10 1t and it'll be lark" he cried.
"I'll do nothing of the sort-it's too
'eavy. child Marjorie retorted. pat
t away from here, and We'll give the
'oys a fright. If they can't even wake
p when an alarm is given they deserve
o have their precious equipment taken
rom them. Get a hold. I'm ashamed
4 my brother Harold
The two dragged the big red cart
own the lane and along a street to q
acant lot, where they managed to hide
among the shrubbery. 'sWl1at1l I tel
hem asked Stanley as hi and Mar
orie strolled toward her home.
Marjorie's brow puckered. "Oh, tell
hem you were kidnaped-stolen-any
hing ..s>..s Ii
Il have been stolen-partly, at least"
e said pointedly. ia -
Have your" Marjorie asked. naively.
Yes. you've quite stolen my heart
onight, Marie. I've always been fond
t you. girl. but tonight I-well. tonight
know love you. And what q way to
nd it out! Do you
DO I plead guilty and will I serve
Stanley? II that what you
rant to ask. %
Stanley took her hand and drew it
trough his arm. That and much
lore. dear" And after a long time he
eaned far over the gate at her home
nd said. Wen always remember the
rst night alarm of the Glen View
'olunteer Fire Company, and I for
ne will bless them all for sleeping
through it."
And I for two echoed Marjorie as
he ran up the steps and waved him a
ast good nieht.-(Copyright 1914. by
he Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.)