The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-11-01


Some one was trying to save me
was dragging my body across the
floor. Consciousness left me. and II
seemed for ages ! lay In q stupor.
When ! opened my eyes again some
one was still tugging at me. We
were going down the stairway, and
on all sides of Us were sheets OF
Tapping flame. | was wrapped In q
blanket. How had II got theref Who
was that dark figure pulling at me
so desperately, trying to lift me,
staggering a few PAGES with me.
stumbling blindly onf Brave one.
noble one, whoever you bel Fool
hardy one. reckless one, whoever you
bel Save yourself while YET there Is
time. Leave me to my fate. But, oh.
the agony of 1t to burn. to burnt
Another desperate effort and we
are almost at the door. Oh, my res
cuer, a last frenzied effOrti We are
almost at the door. Then | am lifted
up and we both tumble out into the
street. Not second too soon. for.
like savage beast fOiled of its prey,
a blast of fame shoots after Us. and
the doorway is gulf of blazing
wrath
| am lying in the snow. lying on
a hlanket, and some one holds my
head
"Berna. is that your"
She mods She does not speak.
shudder as ! look at her. Her face
is like a great burn. a black mask
in which her eyes and teeth CLEAN
Whitley
-Oh. Berna, Berna. and II was you
that dragged me out .p
My eyes go To the fiery hell In front
AS ! look the roof crashes in and we
are showered by falling sparks. !
see the line of black girder leap
out, and hanging over II limp,
charred shape. moment il hangs
uncertainty, then plunges downward
into the roasting heart of the pit
And I know 1t for LOcasto.
Oh. Berna. Berna. I can't bear to
look at her Why did she do iti It's
pitiful, pitifuL
The fire is spreading. Right and
left II swings and leaps in giant
strides. All is pandemOniHfD now.
Mad with fear and excitement. men
and women rave and curse and pray
Wateri water is the cry: but no wa
ter comes. Suddenly a mob of terror
gnaded, men comes surging down the
street They bring the long hOse line
that connects with the pump-statiOD
on the river. Water, wafer is. coming.
The line is laid and a cry goes up
But no wafer comes What can be
the matter? Then the dread whisper
gues round that the man in charge OF
the pumping station has neglected his
duly, and the engine fires are cold.
howl of fury and despair goes no
10 the iurid heavens Women wiring
their hands and moan; men stand by
in a srupor OF hopeless agony. And
the fire. as If II knew of IFS victory.
leaps up in roaring ecstasy of trt-
umph.
There Is no hope. The gold-born
city is doomed. From where lie
the scene is one long vista of blazing
gables, ribs and rafters Rugged by
tawny arms of fire. Squat cabins
swirling in mad eddies of flame; hO-
tells, dance halls. brothels swathed
aud sm0thered in fame-renf blankets
of swirling smoke. There is no hope
The fire is vast avenger, and before
its wrath the iniquity of the tender
lOin is swept away.
The gold-born city is doomed Yet.
as | lay there. II seemed TO me like
a Judgment, and that from Its ruins
would arise new city, clean. up
right, incOrruptible-a great city
proud and prosperous. beloved of
homing hearts. and blessed In its pur-
ity and peace.
Beloved" | sighed through gath
ering mist of consciousness. felt
some hot tears falling on my face. D
felt kiss seal my lips ] felt q
breathing in my ear.
"Oh, my dear. my dearT she said.
I've only brought you sorrow and
pain, but you've brought me love. that
love that is dazzling light, beside
which the sunshine is as darkness"
"BernaI" raised myself; put out
my arms to clasp her. They clasped
the empty air. Wildly. wildly | looked
around. She was gone!
"Berna y Again ] cried, but there
was no reply. was alone. alone.
Then a great weakness came over
l never saw her again