Chapter I: Preface: To the First Edition

I shall say but few words in regard to this first child of my imagination.

About one year ago our hearts were in deepest sympathy with our fellow-citizens of Chicago, and it occurred to me that their losses, sufferings, and fortitude might teach lessons after the echoes of the appalling event had died away in the press; and that even the lurid and destructive flames might reveal with greater vividness the need and value of Christian faith.

I spent some days among the smouldering ruins, and then began the following simple story, which has grown into larger proportions than I at first intended. But comparatively a small part of the narrative is occupied with the fire, for its scenes are beyond description, and too strange and terrible to be dwelt upon. Therefore the thread of my story is carried rapidly through that period of unparalleled excitement and disaster.

Nearly all the scenes introduced are historical, and are employed to give their terrible emphasis to that which is equally true in the serenest and securest times.

E. P. R.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I LOVE UNKNOWN

CHAPTER II LOVE KNOWN

CHAPTER III LAUNCHED

CHAPTER IV COLD WATER

CHAPTER V A HORNET'S NEST

CHAPTER VI "STARVE THEN!"

CHAPTER VII A GOOD SAMARITAN

CHAPTER VIII YAHCOB BUNK

CHAPTER IX LAND AT LAST CHAPTER X THE NEW BROOM

CHAPTER XI TOO MUCH ALIKE

CHAPTER XII BLUE BLOOD

CHAPTER XIII VERY COLD

CHAPTER XIV SHE SPEAKS TO HIM

CHAPTER XV PROMOTED

CHAPTER XVI JUST IN TIME

CHAPTER XVII RESCUED

CHAPTER XVIII MISS LUDOLPH MAKES A DISCOVERY

CHAPTER XIX WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH HIM?

CHAPTER XX IS HE A GENTLEMAN?

CHAPTER XXI CHRISTINE'S IDEA OF CHRISTIANS

CHAPTER XXII EQUAL TO AN EMERGENCY

CHAPTER XXIII THE REVELATION

CHAPTER XXIV NIGHT THOUGHTS CHAPTER XXV DARKNESS CHAPTER XXVI MISS LUDOLPH COMMITS A THEFT

CHAPTER XXVII A MISERABLE TRIUMPH

CHAPTER XXVIII LIFE WITHOUT LOVE

CHAPTER XXIX DENNIS'S LOVE PUT TO PRACTICAL USE

CHAPTER XXX THE TWO HEIGHTS

CHAPTER XXXI BEGUILED

CHAPTER XXXII BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT

CHAPTER XXXIII THE TWO PICTURES

CHAPTER XXXIV REGRET

CHAPTER XXXV REMORSE

CHAPTER XXXVI AN APPARITION

CHAPTER XXXVII IF HE KNEW!

CHAPTER XXXVIII THE GATES OPEN

CHAPTER XXXIX SUSIE WlNTHROP APPEARS AGAIN

CHAPTER XL SUGGESTIVE PICTURES AND A PRIZE

CHAPTER XLI FIRE! FIRE!

CHAPTER XLII BARON LUDOLPH LEARNS THE TRUTH

CHAPTER XLIII "CHRISTINE, AWAKE! FOR YOUR LIFE!"

CHAPTER XLIV ON THE BEACH

CHAPTER XLV "PRAYER IS MIGHTY." CHRISTINE A CHRISTIAN

CHAPTER XLVI CHRISTINE'S GRAVE

CHAPTER XLVII SUSIE WINTHROP

CHAPTER XLVIII DR. ARTEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

CHAPTER XLIX BILL CRONK'S TOAST

CHAPTER L EVERY BARRIER BURNED AWAY