Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1918-08-10
CHAPTER XVI.

gone to bed for a much needed rest.
sent Bill up to get Clair's clothing,
while l unloaded the supplies and hid
them under the dock. l expected to
telephone Jim in the morning and tell
him where they were so that he could
cook breakfast for the caStawayS
When Bill returned helped him put
out to sea again. This required consid-
cradle persuasion and So in money. l
also had to promise to make 1t all
right with the newspaper man whom
he had brought over.
Now the next adventure in this
Arabian nightmare occurred. AT first
| thought it was the reflection of the
rising sun in the windows of the cot
tage which caused the red light. but
when l looked to the east l saw that
the sun was not up.
Then the house must be on fret
Clearly | had no time to lose. Proba-
bly, every one was sleeping. | ran up
the path from the beach to the house,
my temples bursting with the exertion.
By the time l got to the front door the
flames were beginning to lick out Of
one of the upstairs windows.
l threw myself against the front
door and broke the lock without cere-
mony. The stairway was still clear.
/ dashed up, yelling, Fire! -
The people began to come out in
various stages Of undress, carrying
oil Inc
experience stood her in good stead.
She emerged from her room complete
ly dressed and went downstairs as II
she were answering a rehearsal call.
All were accounted for but Lucille.
pounded on her door again and
again.
Hurry" commanded at frequent
intervals
I'm hurrying," she always an
swered.
At last the smoke began to be I'M
bearable in the hallway, and the
cracking Of the flames warned me
that In an instant the stairs would be
impossible. / stood on ceremony no
longer. threw open Luciles door.
She was looking ainlessly about her,
with a stocking in one hand.
u can't find my other stocking" she
announced calmly.
Don't beexcted !" shouted. "The
house is on fire. and we've got to get
Outw
I'm not excited. But how can es-
cape with only one stocking?"
There was no-time for argument.
grabbed blanket that was flung over
the foot Of her bed, wrapped her IL it
and swept her off her feet and into
my arms.
The rescue was very simple. There
was a little smoke on the stairway,
and in a minute it would have been
hard to get down, but as 1t was only
had to hold my breath for few seq
onds and we were safe on the first
floor, which had not caught yet.
However, l carried Lucille clear out
in the front yard ana deposited her in
the little group OF scantily clad sur
vivors.
Where's the fire Department."
asked Vida.
There isn't any fire department."
Kent volunteered gently.
Cant anything be dOneT'
Not much now" / shrugged my
shoulders. when a fire gets that
much Roadway in a country house
built of wood there is nothing much
to do but save the nearby buildings"
How could it have caughtT' asked
Bopp. trying to put his left shoe Oh his
right foot. He had carried them both
out in his hands.
mo one was up" said Jim. the fire.
man.
How did you come to be around,
Monty| Bopp Strengthened up with
a quick glance at me. Mrs. Green
telephoned that you were going to the
mainland"
1t hardly Sc med possible, but knew
that for a moment they all suspected
me Of having set FIRE to Luclle's house
In revenge for our quarrel Of the eve
ming before.
Il came back to the island for some
thing, and / noticed the fire. eE-
planned weakly. "The flames were
coming out Of the window Of the north
east room"
"Who slept there?" Captain Perkins
asked practically.
No one answered.
That's funny" Captain Perkins
was sarcastic Didn't anybody sleep
"a the northeast room. or don't you
know where you sleptT
you slept there yourself" Jim ex-
planned. rather hesitaut about calling
his superior officers attention to such a
damuing fact.
oh" The captain collapsed, 81
guess | did"
Whore did you empty the ashes Of
yrtr pipe before you went to get that
drink Of waterf" I Intercepted.
CTO BE CONTI&UED1