The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1918-11-21
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BY COLLIN s. COLLINS.

"You don't want 70 st,; for the
pictures, do your" asked Laura in the
tone of one who expects the answer to
be "No."
Beth blushed. She took a childish
delight in motion pictures, but from
the chatter about her, she gathered
that 1t was considered childish to sit
through the whole performance. Her
cousin Laura seemed to regard the
taste for vaudeville itself rather in
dlcatlve of elementary development.
do you mind?" Beth asked timid-
~. "TheS'rc fire department pictures"
With a shrus of her shoulder, her
cousin settled back in the seat as the
lights went out and the first picture
was thrown on the screen. The prop
erty man and his fellows on the stage
supplied the changing of the bells and
the screech of the whistles and to
Heth it was all very real. Then the
street with its engines vanished from
the screen to be replaced by con-
frasting. picture Of three firemen sit
ing IN quarters engaged in 4 game of
cards. Their faces were large enough
10 show the play of expression and the
audience shrielzed at the pautominic
humor.
But Beth had leaned forward and
was looking eagerly at the screen. Lau-
II tugged at her skirt, but the girl did
not realize it. There upon the screen
was Thad Burnham. She was sure OF
it. The picture changed again and she
sank back into her seat o.liyerinr in
every muscle.
Rapidly she explained to Laura how
Ihad had gone away from home, how
his letters had stopped and his mother
could lind no trace of HIM. Ellis moth
er's heart is breaking for him." she
declared. II must find him and tell
him to write home"
She left her seat and with trembling
limbs started up the aisle, Laura fol-
towing her country cousin scurously.
An usher directed her to the balcony
where the machine was operated, and
she waited until the operator had fin
ished.
He could give her little information
other than to furnish her with the adj
dress of the firm which had taken the
pictures. She could scarcely wait until
the next morning to continue her
search. and she started Immediately
after breakfast with a male cousin as
m escort.
The manager was courteous and
seemed to take an interest in her
quest. The pictures had been made in
town, he explained. and he gave her
the number and address of the engine
company. 1t was far uptown, but she
could not rest and in Il short time she
stood in front Of the tiny desl. beside
The g!itterin@ engine.
Us Alr. Durham, a fireman, here?"
She asked with tremhlin. voice. The
a'an in blue shook his head.
Tommy Durham is with seven
truck" he explained.
II am looking for ThaCwiclS Burn
man," she explained. Tie w;lS laoto-
sraphcd here for some saorion pic
lures"
"Wickes, Roe and Casey posed for
that picture" he declared "l-ou mean
tllis?'
He tnoiS down from the wall q small
framed photograph, evidently an en-
largeMont of the picture film.
"Thar's TEad," she cried. TIN sure
Of it."
Call Toe down." commanded q voice
nphin1 lnr Tho fira,rnn c,r,po 70
salute and Beth turned to face kind
ly-faced man with gold instead of Sill
yer buttons and crossed trumpets on
his cap front. c"s /, ~, :.s. VT
stand where you will be in the
light" directed the newcomer, as ne
stepped into the background. Wonder
ingly she obeyed his directions az In
answer to the call a man same sliding
d2y9 the bEsss Pole; ,iSisa
Bef6f6 Sh9 Gould speak he had
turned around and came toward her.
Hsll2, Beth" be cried. "Whers did
you come fromT t!
what Is your nameT demsndsd
the battalion chief: 1nstinctlvely the
mans hand vent to salute, and no
gave puzzled laugh. <'ls,asvA
Its Burnham." he said, yet I know
I'm called Roe. What's the n,attarf'
You remember the Jane street FIRE
Id the shop where You worked1' sun.
tested the chief: Thad nodded. But
tod forgot that IN jumping to the net
you fell short and struck on your head.