id. The smoke was drying up their throats
and lungs, and they felt that they needed every bit of air just to
breathe.

Fortunately, in the main part of the building, the fire was worse on
the outside than the inside. Their greatest foe was the smoke that
grew more dense every instant. Down the stairs they flew. Once at the
bottom, the door leading outside seemed very far away. Still they did
not make a sound, but used every effort to escape. There was no
thought of trying to save anything but their lives. That was the one
mercy that was asked of God. Other possessions could be replaced. On,
on they flew. Thank God, the door is almost within reach. They gasp
for breath. Even Duke pants. Will their strength last until they can
reach God's pure air?

Maggie now proved leader. Her trembling hands unbarred the door that
alone stood between them and liberty. With a last mighty effort, she
swung it open. Out they flew, and now the flames which curled in wild
fury about the piazza almost scorched them. Thank God, this fiery
trial is but for a moment. They dash through the flames, and are safe.
Breathing is no longer a pain. They make their way beyond the reach of
the sparks. Maggie fell on her knees crying:

"Praise to de Lo'd. Praise to de Lo'd."

Julia looked at the piazza down which she had wished to climb.

"Beth, if we had tried to come that way we couldn't have done it," she
said, and there was thankfulness in her heart that she had conquered
her fear. Otherwise precious time would have been lost, and she might
have been burned to death.

"Our home is gone," sobbed Beth, for at that instant the roof fell.
Duke howled as if he, too, knew that something had been lost that never
again could be exactly the same. His howls attracted Beth's attention.

"You dear, dear fellow," she cried, the tears flowing faster than ever.
"If it hadn't been for you we'd all be dead."

He poked his nose into her outstretched hand, and looked up at her as
if he would like to comfort her. At that instant Harvey and Gustus
rushed upon the scene.

"Beth, Beth," cried Harvey wildly.

"We're here," she answered.

Tears of thankfulness rushed into the eyes of Harvey and Gustus, and
for once they were not ashamed of crying.

"Beth," repeated Harvey, running up to her and seizing her hands. His
emotion choked back the words that rose. Never had he been more
grateful, and never had he less power of expression.