She was nearest the stairs, but she waited until the girls came up to her.  Not another word was said.  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.

“Little missy, I done feared yo’d went up in de flames,” cried Gustus, and added, “but I had dat dar grain of mustard seed dat made me b’lieve de Lo’d would somehow save yo’.”

“Somehow, even when I’m awfully scared, I don’t think I’m going to be killed,” said Beth.