"Why don't they give the ward? I never heard such a fool way of ringing
for a fire!" he said.

They were silent, intent and listening. Now the wind was driving the
sound clamorously across the town.

"They ain't give the ward yet!" said Custer at length, in a tone of
great disgust. "I could ring for a fire better than that!"

"I wish your pa was to home!" said Mrs. Shrimplin.

As she spoke they caught the muffled sound of hurrying feet, then the
clamor of voices, eager and excited; but presently these died away in
the distance, and again they heard only the bell, which rang on and on
and on.




CHAPTER TWO

THE PRICE OF FOLLY


John North occupied the front rooms on the first floor of the
three-story brick structure that stood at the corner of Main Street and
the Square. The only other tenant on the floor with him was Andy
Gilmore, who had apartments at the back of the building. Until quite
recently Mr. North and Mr. Gilmore had been friends and boon companions,
but of late North had rather avoided this neighbor of his.