The Carlisle independent., 1915-03-11
MOST OF THE VICTIMS
 WOMEN AND CHILDREN
Inferior Construction Charged and Rigid Inquiry by Both State and Federal! Authorities to Begin
 at Once.

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 Bobs eyes left the paper and glanced at his. He construed the dread alarm that glance conveyed as one of par 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 tho 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, be added quickly, as Key holds 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 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 oyerestimating 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 1 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 rsnd the heart of the coldest man. For Key holds was not entirely unprepared for | this terrible continuation of his sin. Twice in his dreams the terrible phan- | tasm of such a scene had come and then, as now, it had brought no thought of self peril but realization of l the awful effect of his transgression.
 To Jane the announcement of the disaster brought not only shock, but sickening fear, and womanlike, her 1 first thought was self-preseryation. She staggered up from the divan where she had sunk beside her hus- band and stood wringing her hands in a hysterlcal way. while from lips that were dry and parched, she whispered:
 m pack the things, Bob. We should 1 get away-away-now. Every mo- ment is precious"
 She looked appealingly at the re- porter as if urging confirmation of 1 her fears, and he was not slow in sec onding theGl.
 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 Jane's Whats done cant be un- done now and the thing for you to do is to act quickly for the protection of l 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 l 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 if she | hoped the touch of them would end the wild throbbing of his brain. She 1 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 love you. dear. and l want the chance ! to show it; to begin all over; to con- vince you that you didn't marry just | 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 Jane's l soft persuasions. It reused even Rey- holds from his lethargic grief. He 1 glanced up with the others, but his l look was one of ouiet resignation.