Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-12-07
Concluded from Last Meekl
XXVI


danger was the sudden, almost
suffocating smell Of smoke. He
struggled with his bonds, which
the guard had fastened tighter
about his arms and wrists
shortly before deserving him, but
although he strained until they
cut deep into his flesh, he found
himself unable TO loosen them.
Somewhere ZIP there IN the sky
were Peter and June. He had
recognized the colored kerchief
she waved, bless her. But would
they reach him IN time? Could
they land anywhere? He hadn't
heard the plane for some little
time now. Perhaps they had gone
back 10 Princeville.
He tried moving his body about
the floor in a vain endeavor to
get one hand free. He could not
only feel the heat of the flames
below. but he could hear the old
timbers spluttering as the fire
attacked them. And then when he
had almost exhausted himself.
when the smoke had begun to
choke him and the crackle Of the
flames had grown louder he had
the strangest hallucination-for
il seemed to him IL must be a
Il all sf4 sK1a ha
Sandra standing there coughing
violently. Not Sandra, he thought
weakly, an angel more likely. An
angel with two heavy plaits of
fair hair that had become UNI
coiled and hung over her shout
ders, an angel with cheeks red
from the heat through which she
had fought her way.
rs there anything ] can cut
these cords with ?" she Was-de-
manding.
Then this isn't Heaven" he
gasped, and tried to grin.
"Oh Ashley, Ashley don't" she
cried. III have to get you out"
That startled him. How" he
asked.
I'll manage" AS she spoke she
went over 10 him and bending,
lifted him by the shoulders and
half-carrying him began TO drag
him toward the stairway. 1t took
all her strength and by the time
she had gotten him out of the
burning house and dropped him
on a grassy plot away from the
heat of the flames, she was both
winded and exhausted
1T WAS no small feat and Ash
ley's admiration showed in his
eyes. Thanks for saving my
life" he said, but do you sup
pose you could find something TO
cut these cords"
She got TO her feet. IN try
10 find a sharp stone"
A few minutes later she was
back with one and while she bent
over him saving at the cords he
asked. Where are the others?
Don't tell me you were alone in
that plane ''
No Peter was knocked un-
conscious when we landed. June
stayed with him"
A short while later she had him
free From where they stood they
could see the flames now envelop-
ing the house.
He said soberly: Il might have
been in there burning to death,
but for you, Sandra"
Yes. You must adnait l did
save your life"
It's the dumbest thing you've
ever done he said But he took
her IN his arms and kissed her
because ne couldn't help himself.
a few moments later Sandra
went 20 get Ashley's car and he
walked over TO the wrecked
plane. Peter was conscious and
declared he had not been badly
injured as June had feared. but
only terribly shaken He was sit
ting up. his head on her shoulder
Ashley stood looking down al
them and with grim. - take II
our weddings off. darling" he
said 20 June.
Her face went crimson and
she stammered. Yes l think it
is. Ashley"
We'll good luck" he said. He
stretched out a hand and then she
saw that his wrists were bleeding
You're hurt ?" she cried.
Nothing" he said. 1t was
worth il anyhow 10 have been
rescued by a beautiful blonde"
"Sandra did rescue you ?"
She did. She got me out. l
16