The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1917-10-18
! music. I became conscious of an air

mattresses hurr1ed ABOUT with HnIte
and frightened faces. men talked
quietly together, then fastened
from the room.
"What is it," | asked Of Cyril,
and he went to see.
Presently lie beekoned me from
the doorway. something is wrong
he said ncrvously. I'VE had better
get out"
But as We made our way TO the
elevators We found them already
surrounded by crowd pushing and
struggling recklessly to get nearer
the iron doors, clerks hurried down
the narrow stairway, disorder and
confusion prevailed.
Then I saw David's tall figure.
He had been speaking to one of the
managers. Now his voice rang out
clearly, oonvincingly:
"There is no cause to be alarm
ed," he said. "a slight fire in the
front part of the building will soon
be under control. The one great
danger to be averted at this time is
a panic. The elevators can easily
carry every one here to safety in
short time. Goodness and obedi-
ence are all that Is required"
He went about quickly, and with
the aid of men who followed his
directions long lines were formed
reaching to the doors of the eleva-
tors, which worked swiftly ,as the
orderly rows Of people moved slow
ly forward or patiently awaited their
turn. ......
There was no sound within now
save David's voice encouraging, re-
assuring. Cyril clutched my arm
frantically. awe will be next" he
exclaimed. "Make. rush for i"
Then David approached. Polly"
he said very gently, Il am glad that
you are near the door"
Gust two more" called the ele-
vator man as Cyril hurried me for
ward. We had entered the car
when 1 saw woman look up at
Cyril beseechingly and then step
back in sudden disappointment.
She had a little child in her arms.
Then it all happened very quick
ly-the woman had my place in
the elevator, the iron door changed
shut, and l stood coughing a little
with the smoke and smiling up at
David.
ooh, Polly" he said sternly,
"why did you do tbs" !"
And l. slipped my hand through
his arm and answered honestly, II
did it, David, because I could not
bear to be outside while you were
here, and l am going to stay with
you to the last"
have read in stories of faces be-
ing Illuminated, and T understood
the full meaning of the word as l
looked at David now.
He did not speak, but held me
close to his side as our life saver
came flying up again. The people
were growing unruly now and press
ed forward roughly.
Suddenly David lifted me in his
arms, the iron doors closed again,
and this time 1 was going down,
down with the fortunate ones to
safety.
As we came out into the fresh
air and were led to place beyond
the protecting rope a cheer went
up from the crowd, and I raised my
smoke smarting eyes to the windows
of the ninth story, where little
tongues Of flame leaped and curled.
Sick with fear, / waited, knowing
that David would be the last person
to leave the burning floor. From
time to time faint cheers sounded as
the elevators unloaded their pre-
cious burdens; then with a wild and
glaring light the flames burst forth
unrcstraincd. Tremblingly | COW
cred my face, but soon mighty re-
sounding cheer seemed to shake the
earth. "All out safely" called a
triumphant voice, and the people
all about were telling excitedly Of
the presence of mind and the brav-
cry of the man who prevented a
panic.
'Who is he:' asked young man
who stood near with notebook and
pencil in hand.
And | heard myself answering
him proudly, almost unconsciously.
He is David Gray" | said, "the
man l am going to marry" Then
| turned to find David's eyes look