St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1918-01-11
,nsio. I became consoious Of an a,

quietly together, then hastened
from the room.
"What is itr" ! asked Of Cyril,
and be went to see.
Presently he beckoned me from
the doorway. Something is wrong"
he said nervously. eve 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 / saw David's tall figure.
He had been speaking to one Of the
managers. Now his voice rang out
clearly, convincingly:
"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
panic. The elevators can easily
carry every one here TO safety in a
short time. Goodness and obedi-
ence are all that is required"
lie 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. "We will be next" he
exclaimed. "Muke a rush for IT,"
Then David approached. polly"
he said very gently, 81 am glad that
you are near the door"
"Just two morc," called the ele-
vator man as Cyril hurried me for
ward. We had entered the car
when / saw n woman look up at
Cyril bcsecchingly and then step
back in sudden disappointment.
She had II little child in her arms.
Then it all happened very quick
ly-thc woman had my place in
the elevator, the iron door changed
shut, and / stood coughing a little
with the smoke and smiling up at
David.
ooh, Polly" he said sternly,
"why did you do that?"
And | slipped my hand through
his arm and answered honestly, 81
did il, David, because | could not
bear to be outside while you were
here, and | ana going to stay with
you TO the last"
| have read in stories od faces be-
ing illuminated, and | understood
the full meaning Of the word as i
looked at David now.
lie did not speak, but held me
close to his side as our life saver
came flying up again. The people
were growing unruB now and press
cd forward roughly.
Suddenly David lifted me in his
arms, the iron doors closed again,
and this time was going down,
down with the fortunate ones 10
safety.
As we came out into the fresh
air and were led 10 a place beyond
the protecting rope cheer went
up from the crowd, and | raised my
smoke smaring eyes 10 the windows
of the ninth story, where httle
tongues of flame leaped and curled,
Sick with fear, waited, knowing
that David would be the last person
10 leave the burning floor. From
time 10 time fhlnt cheers sounded as
the elevators unloaded their pre-
cious burdens; then with wild and
glunng light the flames burst forth
unrcstrained. Trernblingly | COW
cred my face, but soon a mighty re-
sounding checT seemed ~ shake the
earth. "All out safelyw called a
triumphant voice. and the people
all about weN telling excitedly Of
the presence Of mind and the BRAY
cry Of the man who prevented a
mmc.
"Who is hep" asked a young man
who stood near with notebook and
pencil in hand.
And | heard myself answering
him proudly almost unconsoiously,
"lle is David Gray" | said. "the
man | am going to marry" Then
| turned 10 find David's eyes look
ing into mine,
Come, Polly" he said softly and
hastily drew me AWAY, AS we walk
rd down a quiet Ide street | looked
mp into his dear grimy face with
is tired lines.
~hyid,N | asked reproachfully,
''why did YOU not let me stay with
you up there until the last?"
Because, Polly" he answered,
with happy boyish laugh, Il want
nd You 10 stay with me down here
until the last"
And that is how we became en-
gagged
Submarine Gables.