Miss Church-Member was more than alarmed at these sad endings of human
life which now came to her attention more vividly than when she traveled
on the King's Highway.

She also saw, not far ahead of her, a woman sinking in utter despair,
and ran to rescue her. But the unfortunate victim fell to her wretched
ruin before the hands of Miss Church-Member could give assistance.

"Help! help! I sink I know not whither," was her wailing cry, as she
was passing out of sight, her arms outstretched beseechingly toward
her would-be rescuer who arrived in time to see the first greedy flames
that issued from the fresh opening.

"Oh, horror!" shrieked Miss Church-Member as she turned toward Mr.
World. "That ought to be enough to keep any one from such a snare of
wickedness and vice."

[Illustration: Miss Church-member hurries to the rescue of an
unfortunate victim.]

Without a moment's delay a demon rushed to the fiery opening and covered
it from sight, completing his work so quickly and with such skill that
neither the opening nor the glare of the flames were any longer
perceptible. But Miss Church-Member refused to leave the spot, and
with tears she urged Mr. World to place there a sign of warning so
that other short-sighted, mortals who came that way might read and
heed.

"It would be only a waste of time and energy. I have seen hundreds of
such places where travelers have gone down, even under the sign of the