"Here comes Emily," said Mrs. Barlow, who had been rocking in her chair. The young lady wore a water lily at her bosom and was reading from the Sunday Beacon.
"Six lives lost, Robert," she cried, "and the Beacon has started a subscription for their families."
"But I haven't finished my story," pouted forgotten little Elsie.
"Put it away, dear," said her mother, riding roughshod over the child's wishes, as the best of mothers do. Perhaps these crosses are educational.
The following list printed in heavy capitals was the first paragraph Emily read:
KILLED.
MARY LACY, salesgirl.
FLORENCE F. LACY, bookkeeper.
ALEXANDER WHITLOVE, elevator boy (colored).
OSCAR SCHUBERT, ladder man.
An unknown girl.
"At midnight," she continued, reading aloud, "Rosanna Moxom, a lace-worker, was reported dying, and the injuries of nearly a dozen others are serious enough to excite alarm."
"Did you say the Beacon has started a relief fund for their families?" asked Robert.
"Yes, and headed it with $1,000."