The ladder was too short and another was handed up; Dollie meanwhile standing motionless as the crowd shouted about her. “Quick, now! Jump!” ordered the fireman who had braced himself on the top of the ladder. “Jump right into my arms. Don’t be afraid. I’ll catch you!” “Wait!” cried Marion, in clear, ringing tones. The monster crowd stood silent—holding its breath in wonder. Slowly and carefully Marion bent and reached into the room, keeping her balance by holding with one hand to the fast blistering casement. “Her muscles must be like steel,” said a voice near Dollie. The young girl did not heed it. Her eyes were riveted upon her sister. Then the crowd saw something that made them breathless. Marion was helping Miss Allyn to a place on the sill, and it looked for a moment as if the two girls were arguing with each other. “Quick! There is no time to lose! Jump!” cried the fireman, sharply. With a sudden violent motion, Marion pushed Miss Allyn from the sill. She landed squarely in the fireman’s arms and was promptly handed down the ladder. At the next command Marion let go her hold. As she was caught by the fireman a great cheer went up—the crowd had recognized and were rewarding an unusual heroine. A half hour later Marion opened her eyes. She had fainted and been carried by the crowd to the nearest drug store. “Not a scratch,” said the physician who was bending over her. “She’ll be all right in an hour. All she needs is rest and a bath to make her less smoky.” “I looked like a nigger when I first got here,” said Miss Allyn, laughing, “but as some one was kind enough to wash my face, I don’t feel quite so much like a herring.” “I’m all right,” said Marion, with a feeble smile, “and if both of my friends are the same I am more than thankful.” “We are safe and sound,” said Miss Allyn, calmly, “but I was as mad as a hornet when you pushed me, Marion. I thought of it myself, but I didn’t have the courage to do it.” “If you had I would never have forgiven you,” said Marion, laughing. “You had befriended me once, it was my turn,” she added, then both girls turned solemnly and kissed each other. “It was perfectly terrible,” said Dollie, who had not stopped crying. “I thought I would die when I first saw you, Marion.” “Well, what will we do next?” asked Marion, as the crowd in the drug store dwindled gradually away. “You are so ready with advice, what do you suggest, Miss Allyn? Is there any place in New York for two girls to live who have no positions and not a cent of money?” “Oh, Marion!” cried Dollie, “I didn’t once think of that. Our fifty dollars is burnt up and so is Bert’s cap and jacket and Miss Allyn’s typewriter.” “Let me think,” said Miss Allyn, with a puzzled look. “If I was only dressed now I could go down to the office and get some money, but——” here she looked down at her wrapper and slippers disgustedly.