South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-08-14
Revelations Vile 6qoA AR555

Revelations 2
Edith was not getting along with
the furnace drafts az ali wen our
noses told US that az we descended
the stairs 20 the main floor. through
which came the acrid tang Of smoke.
Little smoke waves were eddying up
through tho registers IN the floor zno
walls. and AZ We came to the base
ment door we heard Edith coughing
and frantically rafting at some part
q the furnace mechanism.
"Oh, the poor girl!" I exclaimed.
Let me hurry"
I dashed past Lillian and down the
stairs % where Edith was helpless
y searching for the right draft 10
turn. 1 saw IN a second what the
matter was. There was a certain
draft in the pipe which she had
turned In just the opposite direction
TO the one in which II was meant 10
go. Without stopping 10 speak. I
reached over her shoulder and turn
ed the draft correctly. opened the
furnace door. and saw that with the
proper draft little tongues Of flame
We're reaching toward the coal. and
that smoke was being drawn UP the
chimney. Then I put a hand on
Ediths arm.
'Let's hurry out OF this" I gasp
ed.
She held back gamely.
THE furnace. Is it-all-right?"
Every word was punctuated by a
strangling cough.
Absolutely. But you won't be II
you don't get out Of this"
She came with me then unresist-
ingly. and we we met at the top OF
the stairs with a most reviving rush
OF cold fresh air Lillian. with
characteristic presence Of mind. had
wasted no time following me into
the basement. but had flown through
the rooms. opening an the windows
and doors. and creating a suction
draft directly through the house. AS
we came out into the dining room
she met US with glasses Of water,
which we gratefully took from her.
Another Discovery.
Where did you get the water in
this timer" I asked in amazement
when I could speak.
From the faucets in the kitchen.
You means
That whoever was here last
night must have turned the water
on. Jim was instructed to turn the
water off the last thing before ne
and Katie went away on their vaca
ton. and I am sure ne did so. for he
he is most methodical and reliable.
"If there was anything your visi-
tors forgot 70 do last night I'd like
20 see it," Lillian observed dryly.
How about the furnace-can you
leave il now p"
For five minutes or So" re-
piled. Then there must be some
more coal put on"
Don't you think. then. we'd bet
ter leave the windows open while
we go over TO Mrs. Durkee's?" Lii
Ian asked practically.
Longer than that" I returned.
MY mother used 10 say that il was
impossible 70 heat dead air She
always used to let the outside air cir
culate for a long while after she
started a fire IN a house that had not
been used for some time"
Your mother must have belonged
20 the same order of sensible house
wives that mine did" Lillian com
mented. Suppose we follow Edith"
The Virginia girl who had really
suffered from the smoke. was al
ready out on the lawn between the
Durkee place and ours had "a
keep reminding myself that the pro-
noun was no longer applicable 70
the home I had loved so we'll She
was still coughing. and as we caught
: up 20 her I saw with concern that
her eyes were red and watery.
Il am so sorry you went down"
began contritely.
I'm not" she returned forcibly
"Im only angry at myself TO think
how unconsciously stupid L was.