She also saw, not far ahead of her, a woman sinking in utter despair, and ran to rescue her. But the unfortunate victim fell to her wretched ruin before the hands of Miss Church-Member could give assistance.
“Help! help! I sink I know not whither,” was her wailing cry, as she was passing out of sight, her arms outstretched beseechingly toward her would-be rescuer who arrived in time to see the first greedy flames that issued from the fresh opening.
“Oh, horror!” shrieked Miss Church-Member as she turned toward Mr. World. “That ought to be enough to keep any one from such a snare of wickedness and vice.”
Miss Church-member hurries to the rescue of an unfortunate victim.
Without a moment’s delay a demon rushed to the fiery opening and covered it from sight, completing his work so quickly and with such skill that neither the opening nor the glare of the flames were any longer perceptible. But Miss Church-Member refused to leave the spot, and with tears she urged Mr. World to place there a sign of warning so that other short-sighted, mortals who came that way might read and heed.
“It would be only a waste of time and energy. I have seen hundreds of such places where travelers have gone down, even under the sign of the Cross.”
“Indeed, Mr. World, I feel as though I should stand here continually and speak words of personal warning to any one who might seem determined to walk in such a terrible path as this.” Her finger pointed to the spot where she had just seen the poor victim fall to rise no more.
“Look yonder,” he hurriedly spoke, as he touched her arm. “Do you see that woman with her steps in the same direction? Now try your skill,” he added with more sneer than sympathy in his voice.
She did not tarry to resent his attitude, but quickly went to the woman and asked her to pause a moment.