The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1919-05-02
THE IRON TEST"
CHAPTER.

volatile liquid poured over him with
murderous intent AZ he slept by lieu
Mask. maintained his grip in the
trapeze bar several seconds after his
marvellous leap through the flaming
hoop, then fell, living torch into the
center of the circus ring, unconscious
and burning alive.
Cries of horror swept through the
great crowd. Those in nearby seats
rushed toward the senseless rider but
were restrained By attendants. There
was one person there who did not cry
out or lose her presence Of mind.
Edith,s eyes bent close on Bert
caught the first flash as his saturated
costume came In contact with the
flaming edge of the hoop, and they
never left him until he crashed 10
the earth. Then, pale but cool, she
rushed to the nearest exit, tore away
the portiere and was first to kneel
at the side Of the death-menaced man.
Wrapping the heavy drapery about
him. with the assistance OF attend
ants. she quickly smothered the
flames, needless that her own fiimsy
skirt had caught fire.
Perkins caught her and crushed out
the flames and together they carried
Bert to his dressing room, while the
audience treasured. resumed their
seats and the performance continued.
Lurking back In the crowd, Craven
and peaky watched the development
of their murder plot and as Bert was
carried away, the latter, an evil tri-
nmuh in his eyes, whispered.
.Guess Forbes a goner this time
And Craven with q bitterness that
startled even the oonscieHeeless
Peaky, replied:
Not unless he inhaled the fiames.
An attendant passing through the
ring shortly after Berts fiery plunge
picked up a locket and realizing Bert
must have lost 1t. he sought Edith
and handed it to her saying
Here's something Forde must have
dropped. VIII you return II to him.
Edith. assuring him she would. nat
nraIly examined the trinket, which
bore the BeTesford coat OF arms ami
the letter "B" set In diamonds on tie
outside Opening Il. she saw tie
faces of a youngish man and woman.
whom she took To De Bert and hls
sweetheart and an expression of pain
crossed her face af the thought Of
his having a sweetheart Then haf=
ried1y closing The loaket, she started
for Town to fill prescription 70.
Bert. whose condition was prononne=
ed 10 be not serious
But Craven. ever Yatehful of he
girl and Bert, had seen her examine
the loeket. and stepping up to her
said
As custodian Of lost property
II take charge Of that locket.'
Edith. however. had no intention =
surrendering the trinket and firmly
refused, replying
It belongs to Mr. Ford-has III
picture in H. ! vii return 1t ny
self Turning quickly. she failed q
see The look of anger on the man 8
lace. nor did she dream into whai
peril the possession n the locket soan
Was TO plunge her.
Craven was seheming how best L
get the trinket from the girl when
they ran into peaky, Who halted I'm
and with unaccuatomed holiness de.
mandea@ zen dollars. accompanying
the request with ! significant fefnaFk
thai II was "a mighty curious aeei-
DENT that happened 10 Forde. Cfa=
ven. cowardly ~ his name, fearing
the other suspected any parl IL
might have played IN the tragedy
produced the money and added viii
forced pleasantnesa
There's twice 80 in 1t for you il
you'll get for me the locket MIS-
Paige has"
Edith had walked a half mile II.
ward the town, keeping well IN he
shadows OF the trees. for 1t wa :
lonely road, when 4 woman's inInIs
ton told her of impending peril. sna
FASTENED her stepa and had reached
bright light in front Of three-atory
fiat rooted house when Red Mask
stepped from behind tree and seIz=
ed her In his arms. exelaiming.
Give me the 1oeket. or I'll
Terror did not rob. the girl Of her
strength. There waa brief struggle
and Edith, using a trick OF the ring.
threw The man heavily TO the ground
and before he could regain his fent
dashed into the house. the front dooI
being open. Up three flights of stairs
she raced, then NJ ladder and IN 4
frenzy of fear threw her weight
against 3 trap door leading 10 the
roof. II gave way and she sprang oat
on the roof. Along The four edges
she ran looking for IN avenue Of e.
cape. for she knew Red Mask soon
would be upon her.
IN the light from Lie lamp below
her eyes caught . wire stretching II
=. The house opposite and without pans=
Ing To count the risk. she swung out
into space and began to make her
way across just n her pursuer gain
ed the roof to pause aghast at her
deadly peril,
Hand over hand she made her waY
until she could see where the wife
disappeared into tie side of tie
house. giving no hope Of escape, ONLY
sheer drop of thirty feet to tie
street. The brave girl was almost N
despair when she caught sight OF Al
other wire, ten feet distant which
lead to porch and mastering her re
naming strength he swung baeE
and forth until certain of her mo
menIum, she released her hold, ileN
through the intervening space, aud
caught the second wire In her firing
grasp. Two minutes later, she had
reached the sidewalk Then her 90
lieIInde for Bert overcoming her own
fears. she continued 10 town, got The
prescription and returned safely to
her van in which she hid the loeket
. and made her way. 10 Bert's side.
Next morning The circus started
off. Bert bandaged but much improx-
ed bringing UP the rear in his van.