The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1915-03-18
MOST OF THE VICTIMS
WOMEN AND CHILDREN
inferior Construction Charged and
Rigid Inquiry by Both State and
Federal Authorities to Begin
at Once.

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 hastened 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 well 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 of with an
other wave of his hand-this time a
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 a 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
floods. 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 theml"
He repeated the accusation over and
over. There was no thought OF the
personal penalty he faced. Truly Dici
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 fol
this terrible elimination OF his sin
Twice In his dreams the terrible phan
tasm of such a scene had come ant
then, as now, II had brought nj
thought OF self peril, but realization o
the awful effect of his transgression.
To Jane the announcement of tn,
disaster brought not only shock. bu
sickening fear, and womanlike. he
first thought was self-preservation
She staggered up from the divaI
where she had sunk beside her hus
band and stood wringing her hands II
hysterical way while from lips tina
we're dry and parchet. she whispered
"I1l pack the things. Bob. We shoul,
/ get away-away-now. Every me
ment is precious"
She looked appealingly at the re
porter as II urging confirmation Q
H her fears, and he was not slow In sec
H onding them.
"She's right. Bob" he warned brisl
| ly. THE telephone may ring or some
Il one may come any minute. Come. oil
H man, brace up for your own sake an
/ for James. What's done can't be vi
Y done now and the thing for you to d
is to act quickly for the protection G
i all. Come" he repeated and pulle
gently at his friends coat sleeve. Blu
Reynolds sat immovable with face sti
u pressed between his hands and throug
them, raven like. he moaned:
Men = women = and = children
d Dead. oh. my God!-And kille
u them"
II The stupor and apparent helpless
G. ness OF her husband aroused Jane mo-
It to acute realization OF their peril an
o the need Of immeoiate action In whic
y she must take the lead. She stol
n softly behind the divan and bendin
g over, drew Bob's hands away from h
'r face. With infinite tenderness sh
pressed her own hands against h
10 temples and held them there as II sh
Is hoped the touch OF them would end th
! wild throbbing OF his brain. Sh
st coaxed and petted him as one migf
20 suffering child.
Bob. DEAR" she cried softly, com
le Do as Dick says. You know we mul
le get away There is no other way no,
love you. dear. and want the chans
O. to show It; to begin all over; to CO.
u vince you that you didn't marry Just
~ grasping. worldly woman. but VIII
you thought you did-a woman WI
y. can love and make you happy
Mt A sudden changing at the doorbe
!" startled them and put an end to Jane
ig soft persuasions. II reused even Re
IN nolds from his lethargic grief r
d. glanced up with the others. but b
| look was one of ouiet resignation.