Suddenly a cry of terror went up from the crowd, then followed shouts of warning from a thousand throats, which were unintelligible to poor frightened Dollie.
The fireman looked up from the hose he was tending.
“My God, don’t jump!” he shouted, hoarsely. Dollie looked up and saw her sister standing on the sill of a third story window, her girlish form encircled by wreaths of smoke and long tongues of flame lapping the wall until they almost reached her.
Spell-bound with horror, Dollie stood and gazed as a long ladder was run up by an agile fireman.
The ladder was too short and another was handed up; Dollie meanwhile standing motionless as the crowd shouted about her.
“Quick, now! Jump!” ordered the fireman who had braced himself on the top of the ladder. “Jump right into my arms. Don’t be afraid. I’ll catch you!”
“Wait!” cried Marion, in clear, ringing tones.
The monster crowd stood silent—holding its breath in wonder.
Slowly and carefully Marion bent and reached into the room, keeping her balance by holding with one hand to the fast blistering casement.