The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1918-12-20
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the gallery entrance to well down Fourteenth
street when Blink arrived.
Step by step he moved along the line. passing
the brilliantly lighted stores from which snons
an unending array of Christmas Things. Al as.
a glittering display Of surgical instruments oaz:
zled him: his eyes rested on two long pieces Oh
polished wood crossed as background TO tne
shining metal pieces, and he stopped, "loe
eyed and open-mouthed.
In moment Blink was out of the line. In an
other hour he was home. standing De1ore nls
mother and holding pair Of crutches up TO her
astonished gaze with but fifteen cents left in his
pockets.
Haltingy, Blink told his story to his mother
and asked her to wait until next week fer her
Christmas present, at which Mr.. Corrlgan Ioioea
the boy in her arms until he suddenly stralgnt-
ened up, excited
"Sov, look derel" he exclaimed, pointing
breathlessly to bright glare In the western SKY.
Gee VIII yez look at it. Dere's whoppin pig
fire somewheres.
It was half past ten o'clock when Blink
reached Broadway. The sidewalks We're nleu
with the usual Christmas eve crowd, most OF
them unheedful OF the nre toWaru Mnicn ii
was hurrying.
With each step the crowd grew denser. the ex-
citement greater Occasionally a few peopic
came hurryng in the opposite direction, and from
these Blink heard lot of mixed rumors. But
what he did hear made him rush the faster. 1t
was the Regent theater; explosion that seemed
to start fire all over the theater at once, panic,
and q score or more Of people supposed to have
been lost.
For moment Blink shuddered at what he
felt was q narrow escape for Skeeter and hlm-
self But his boyish excitement gave little room
for sentiment, and he became all intent upon
getting nearer.
"couldn't You Stop it2"
Presently the voices of two men caused Blink
ortba In They StODDeQ Dy ana
one said:
. INV Cod Gallagherl There's people been
killed Wasn't there no way? Couldn't you
stop it?"
"How could stop it?" came the growing reply.
.I had the two marked tanks stored away IN
.nrons, ROOM fixed SOS could turn 'em on last
thing before left after the house closed. Every
thing was O. K, tell you, until the tanks we
had on the calcium lights got weak just IN the
burglary scene The stage manager got not ana
called for them other tanks. Well there was
nothin to it; had to get em out. l was maxim
slow work SOS the scene would be over, but the
stage manager was fiery. He had them things
connected in a second turned 'em on, ana When
the gasolene spray hit them red-hot Hmestones
in the lamp-My God! never seen anything like
f. Both tanks burst together, and-you know
the rest"
The two men silent for a moment tnen,
s'Where's the manager, Jim"
.I don't know" was the reply Blink heard.
eve warned him. Well, it's done now, but wish
we could have burnt his house without"
"Shut up man. Somebody might hear"
heavy prolonged rumble, followed by dull
crash Of falling walls, the shouts Of fremen and
an increased cracking Of the flames held the
men speechless for a moment while Blink crawled
to the edge of the areaway. Then:
GLOW about Collins? He might blow. Let's go
to the hospital and talk to him. It'll be safer"
There was another pause, then the reply: Il
never got the name Of the hospital. I don't Know
where he is"
"You DON'T" came the astounded voice "Then
we will have to beat it. This is no place for me
and you."
The story had become very apparent to Blink,
and before the men started he had picked his
way down the smokedlled alley, turned back, run
ming purposely stumbled against them, and
stood painting for breath.