Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-07-06

49, SluIlllllS, OlLluOuS
-. - note of disaster.
Mahe, parnsrt r,,a. Accident death?
Helen, waiting in
breathleSs suspense, tried to visual
lie the brief, baleful message within
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
telegram. What did it mean? What
had happened?
Snatching her dressing gown, she
sprang to the door, but Warren, en-
tering, pushed her back with a
brusque:
Don't be frightened! It's moth
Ing much-you stay in 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, I tell you" He rushed
back, slamming the door forbiddingly.
But Helen, gathering closer her
robe, flew after him. 1t was a terrlfy-
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
nj oh ho1 % 40
curtains, for instantly they were up
on the window sill, snatching down
the thin null hangings.
'TOId you to stay in the bedroom !"
roared Warren, as he pitched the cur
tains, rods and all, in a corner.
'"That ropes afire!" 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
dow"
Got to smother that out before the
woodwork catches" Warren threw
up the sash.
"Oh, dear, don't-don't" pleaded
AlNlOIlS Il JIhS W vi uS EllLl llOlu TIC
open window, through which poured
clouds of smoke and a shower of
sparks.
Get me something-quick! A
heavy tOwel-anythingll 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.
ooh, your hands-your hands !" she
was Juggling at Warren's arm.
you keep out of this!" wrenchlng
off the mass of charred rope and
slamning down the window.
The place was filled with smoke,
but outside the flames were dying
down The awning was almost
burned out. Only a few shreds of
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 lriefy, with a smoke cholsed
cough. "Some idiot threw out a Gig
arctic"
"Ninh floor" grimly. "Thats
twice they've done this" Then at the
sudden shrek of fire engine: THAT
fool elevator boy turned In an alarm
Well have the whole department VI
here in minute"
The screaming whistles now filled
the mi might quiet, the bedlam grow.
Ing drafening as they neared the
house.
Their 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 sNarmed about the window and
tore oiIt the sashes.
"Trip out that cornice," ordered the
chief. "On 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 ihat?" quavered Helen. They're
running the wall -
'nThey know what they're about
grunted Warren, girdling closer his
bathro0e.
"Oh, don't let them do that! CAM
you stop them?" turning frantically
to the superintendent. Wen never
match that paper"
mo use my saying anything
shrugged Mr.. Thompson. "You cant
do anything with firemen."
| HEnt fhn nvtinut,ichar NfiIya ~