Nan pushed Grace and Bess back toward the wall.
"Stand right where you are. We mustn't get in that crowd. We'll be
killed," advised she, holding little Inez close to her.
"Save me! save me, Walter!" wailed Linda.
"I wish somebody would take this girl out of the way!" growled Walter
Mason in much disgust, and far from gallant.
"Don't leave me!" shrieked Linda.
People began madly to climb over the seats--and over one another--to
reach the side exits.
"How ever will we get out, Nan?" demanded Bess Harley, with keen faith
in her chum.
"Keep still. Let us wait," urged Nan.
But at that instant red and yellow flames burst from the box where the
picture projecting machine was housed. These flames began to lick up the
furnishings of the balcony like so much tinder. Sparks and dense smoke
were thrown off and both settled upon the struggling people below.
"Oh, Walter! Walter! We shall be burned," cried his sister.
The boy had never yet neglected his timid sister's cry. He somewhat
rudely pushed Linda away and reached across Nan and Inez to seize
Grace's hand.
"Pluck up your courage, Sis!" he cried, his voice rising cheerfully above
the turmoil. "We'll get out all right."
"But _how_?" demanded Bess, in great anxiety. "Oh! see those sparks fly!"
"I see," said Nan, trying to speak calmly.
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