The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-12-09


Nellie awoke struggling. What was
Il? She raised herself in bed. then fell
back gaspIng Was she dreaming? Sud
denly she realized II was smoke. Inc
house must be atlre.
She almost fell as she made the CT
fort 10 stand. Just then there came
knocking at her door.
Nellie. wake up. the house IS ahre!'
It was Dorald's voice although she did
not recognize II. Open the door. dear!
Hurry"
She staggered TO the door, then as
she turned the key. she fell forward
into the arms held out TO her. She
knew nothing more until revived by
the air in the street. with Mrs. Roberts
bonding over her, while Donald held
her.
What is ~" she gasped. Then she
remembered smoke. and all these peo-
pie all the boarders around her.
THE house caught fire somewhere
between tho walls made lot Of smoke
but everyone got ont, and tks IRE Is
also nearly out. There never was any
danger excepting from sufrocation. Mrs.
Roberts said quietly. Nellie was still
dazed. still choking.
Il was only in time" Donald had told
her. Her room was full OF smoke
and she was scarcely awake" But like
Mrs. Roberts, he made light OF the dan
ger TO Nellie. whom they feared. until
4 doctor arrived had swallowed enough
smoke to !niurc her.
In a couple Of hours they all went
bac., into the house. Nellie remaining
IL Mrs. Roberts room. one OF those
east affected by tho smoke.
-
,irely recovered from the effects OF the
Donald had often asked about her. and
when she was in Mrs. Roberts room
had fingered 10 talk with her.
You savcd my life, Donald" she
said.
Nonsense. You would have found
your way ont. or someone would have
Weakened you"
NO. could scarcely breathe. even
when I first Weakened. And Il was all
I could DO 10 reach the door. i know
7 should have died but for you" She
shivered. At her age li,e Is sweet.
Have Il your own way. but get we'll
You are 70 repay whatever l did by
forgetting nil about IT. the fire, me,
everything" He had noticed her al
most convu,stve SILVER when she spoke
" IT, 1t is n taboocd subject from
now on"
Il shar't forget though. Donald"
After THIS Nellie. as Is the way WITH
girls. looked upon Donald as hero
She felt sure he had saved her life and
was so III j and grateful 10 him that
he began tn feel hope that In time
no might win her. Gradually he began
again - ask her to go out with MN
occa S!ora,ly. to the theatre. a concert.
or occasionally 10 n restaurant dinner.
sometimes including Mrs. Roberts.
While they never had talked Of his
feeling for Nellie again. he felt she APP
proved Of his suit: that she would help
him II she could.
The Loardcrs looked on approvingly.
Miss Pitt remarked:
II hone she knows her own mind
this time. and Isn't leading that nice
Mr. Horne on just 20 have n good time.
In MY g:rlhoud people were more scri-
jus"
Stll Donald Waited.
Il mus; be sure she has forgotten
h,m--,hac sh" has no lingering REGRETS
he SAID tn himself "Hut | have so
l!ttel to offer. compared to what lie
could have given her
\, .l.,'s old gay spirits had returned.
She was Sappv w'thoni questioning
why. size liked hCi work. knew sh"
CAV, satisfaction. had VIDE some new
friends among tn" rmrloyccs-most Of
,h.r, rather superior girls who had Sc
cured their positions much as she had.
i,hranrh personal acquaintance with the
heads or The board
Occasionally she Joined those. new
friends Crr an evening. and thoroughly
lcrioAcG herself with them. She was
r,anhrcsS itself concerning her pleas
rrcy and Donald often felt bit Jcal-
OIL, ~ the ,ounE men she met.