Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-07-27

lie the brief, baleful message Wlthih
the dreaded yellow envelope.
The sound of vOices-excited
voices! Then heavy. rushing feet
through the hall, past the bedroom
and into the library. 1t was not Il
telegram. What did it mean? What
had happened?
Snatching her dressing gown, she
sprang to the door, but Warren, en-
brusque:
Don't be frightened! It's moth
ing much-you stay. i'm here"
what is it? Who's out there?" in
shrill excitement.
Zone of our awnings afire-but
they'll soon have it out. Now you
stay here, 1 tell you" He rushed
back. slamming the door forbiddingly.
But Helen, gathering closer her
robe, flew after him. 1t was a terrify-
ing scene. The flaming bay window
awning lit the room. Burning frag-
ments fell cracking against the
glass.
''Oh. If the glass breaks!" screamed
Helen. Take down the curtains,'
Apparently neither Warren nor the
night Waterman had thought of the
curtains. for instantly they were up
on the window sill, snatching down
the thin null hangings.
Told you to stay in the bedroom J"
rOared Warren, as he pitched the cur
tains, rods. and all. in a corner
THAT ropes afirei" cried the
Waterman, for the awning rope,
wrapped around the hook, was now
ablaze against the easement.
Hold on, l wouldn't raise the win
down.
Got to smother that out before the
woodwork catches" Warren threw
up the sash.
"Oh, dear. don't-dOn'tl" pleaded
Helen, trying to drag him from the
open window, through which poured
clouds of smoke and shower of
sparks.
"Get me sOmething-quick! A
heavy tOwel-anything'll do"
She flew out and was back with a
bath mat. Terrified, she lowered near
as he smothered the blazing rope,
while the Waterman stamped out the
menacing sparks that blew into the
room.
"Oh, your hands-yOur hands," she
was Juggling lat Warren's arm.
You keep out of this!" wrenching
slamming down the window.
The place was filed with smoke.
but outside the flames were dying
down. The awning was almost
smoldering canvas still chung to the
iron frame. The fierce heat had
cracked but not broken the glass.
The Waterman rushed to answer
another clamOr Of the bell. 1t was
the superintendent, his coat buttoned
over his collarless shirt, the sleep still
In his eyes, and tumbled hair.
Its about over" Warren informed
him briefly. with a smOke-choked
cough. "Some idiot threw out a Gig
arette."
Ninth floor" grimly. That's
twice they've done this" Then at the
Sudden shrek of a fire engine: THAT
fool elevator boy turned i'm an alarm.
Wen have the whole department up
here in a minute"
The screaming whistles now filled
the midnight quiet, the bedlam grow
ing deafening as they neared the
house.
Then cOmmOtional sounds from the
hall, and a dozen firemen trooped in,
their heavy boots gathering over the
hardwood floors. Without even glanc-
ing at Warren or the superintendent.
they swarmed about the window and
tore out the sashes.
rip out that cornice," ordered the
chief. ION the top there-where it's
burning!"
With a devastating ak, recklessly
they chopped loose the heavy white
molding.
THE fires all out Oh, why're they
doing that?" Quavered Helen. They're
running the wall ~
"They know what they're about"
grunted Warren, girdling closer his
bathrObe.
''Oh. don't let them do that, Can't
you stop them" turning frantically
to the superintendent. Wen never
match that paper"
mo use my saying anything"
shrugged Mr.. Thompson. You can't
do anything with f1remen."
"Get the extinguisher, Mike"
shouted the chief. "All right, let 'er
CO."
Needless of the scattering damage.
they turned on the extinguisher. This
was more than Helen could stand.
Forgetting her dishevelment, her tum-
bled hair, and the nightgOwn tapping
about her bare ankles below her negIi-
gee, she ran over to the chief with
tremulous:
"Oh, please don't let them splash
that panel! The whole roomIl have to
be done over"
Watch out for that panel. Mike"
Then to Helen: This isn't tea party.
lady. We're here to put out the fret"
"But there isn't any fire now" CON-
batted Helen under her breath. as she
picked her way over the debris.