Shot With Crimson

seconds n

e gripped every one in the room,—paral

ondering looks

ced sharply, apprehensively at the hu

d in the roof. There’s a tremendous wind. It may hav

men, sending a nervous, frightened look at her husband who sprawled ungracefully

aimed he, sitting up suddenly, his eyes n

thquake,” interrupted his wif

pants of the room,—ten or a dozen men and women seated in a wide semi-circle in f

spoke, he rose quickly and started across the room in the direction of the

time a little louder and more prolonged than before. The club-house shook. Several

!” cried one of them.

f his chair with tense fingers. “Sure as you’re alive! I

ildren—something may have h

he was shaking his arm. “The children are in New York, twenty mi

ith bated breath for the third

es and glasses. His face was ashen; there was a set expressi

nnocuous inquiry of one of the men,

irst it was the roof, sir. The c

he steward placed the glasses on the table. “We’ve lost what

r,—beyond the hills. About five mi

n I am in the country.” She was a singularly pallid, clear-featured woman of perhap

e steward, starting toward the wind

was already at one of the broad windows

owded about him. “The shops are off there in a

million dollar contract with the Reynolds people,

And with this wind,—‘gad, she’ll go like waste paper! My God, I wish the whole German Army was sittin

man-Americans sitting there, Cribbs,” said Carstairs, b

e warning look in her eye and the slight movement of

e ‘s as good an American as any of us. Don’t think for a moment, Zimmie, old chap, tha

indow turned, an

y of you, I may be permitted to return the compliment. I shoul

to his eyes, but it was banished almost i

ything more distast

erman,” put in little Mr. Cri

said Carstairs. “Mrs. Carstairs is not German. Her father and mother were, however. Sh

dea that Mrs.

s, Mr. Cribbs?” asked

bs, stiffening. “My gra

g to reproach yourself with,” said

Mrs. Carst

nce, “but not in Nebraska. You have the advantage of me there, I fear.

iage was Krausshof.” Mr. Cribbs’s face was scarlet. To cover his confusion, he wedged his way a little closer to the windows and glared at the dull red l

to see the men who are responsible for

point, at least, Mr. Cribbs,”

d the other, excitedly. “It’s only a few miles, and i

French front that could hold a candle to it. Don’t forget what happened when Black Tom pier was blown up. Pray do not be alarmed, ladies.

hey making, Carstairs?”

ion, too. Cox, the general manager, dined with us the other nigh

is what you mean,”

e of these blooming fools learned how to keep their mouths shut. The country’s f

watching the crimson cloud in the distance, an ever-changi

ring the evening. New York was twenty miles or more away, and there was the Hudson in between. The clock above the huge fireplace had struck eleven a minute or two before the first explosion took place. Chauffeurs in the club-garage were su

es, rough and warm and smart,—for it was one of

-warnings had gone out from the Weather Bureau; coast-wise vessels were scurrying for harbou

a more auspicious night for their enterprise. No human force could combat the flames on a night like this; caught on th

ws. She shuddered a little. A pretty, nervous young wife

le at work over there when—when it happened?” she cr

ar. Think of what they are goin

vely. “Why should they blow up our factories? Oh, these dreadful, te

. A good many of us suffer for the sins of the fathers. Besi

ser, don’t we?” plea

more so than those of us whose paren

to hear yo

at Mrs. Carstairs’ elbow. “I think t

he handed her. “I shan’t drop it again,” she went on, smiling a

panion, lowering her voice. “So much more willing and agreea

ficient,” said

rstairs and Zimmerlein, who were pour

” Carstairs was saying, as he raised h

p Central at Bushleigh and see if the

connection, however. Everything must be knocke

ou, Car-stairs,” said Zimmerlein,

ass, and reached out his hand for the check

hap,” he said. “Give

t, Zimmie. I

ife—He’s coming, Mrs. Carst

scratched his name across the check

up Bushleigh,” fell in low, distinct t

shook. His fa

red. “What shall I s

swers,” said the ot

ng the Government for its over-tenderness, and still others were blaming themselves for not taking the law in their own hands and making short work of the “soap-boxers,” the “pacifists,” and the “obstructionis

ch a gang,” he proclaimed. “Lead ‘em right in

ow old are

a gun, or pull a rope or carry a bu

e other way. Ho

wenty-

w did you esca

my number yet,” said M

he Judge, grimly. “They need just such fire-eat

who was being helped into his fu

city, Zimmerlein? There is

Mr. and Mrs. Prior will drop me at the station.

merlein,” said the steward stea

he hesitated an instant, and then took it. Her gaze was fixed