Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-07-16

or how far away the house might be,
gave a groan of despair on seeing this.
1t would be hard to die now, almost
home; for this was Ralph 8Iilburn, and
he knew no home but where his Lucy
dwelt
I'VE are almost there. We shall be
out OF the woods in a few minutes" said
betye, turning her head an instant.
And ID short time they stood beside the
door, painting and heated with their ex-
ertiOns
Is there no one living here but you?"
asked Ralph, as he saw with surprise that
the house was silent and empty.
Father and | live here And he went
to help put out the fire" said Betye.
See there. The fire will be all about
us IN few minutes. ] fear the house is
not safe. The wind is blowing a gale"
The young man had seen, as he spoke,
cinder fall, kindling the dry leaves and
creeping along the ground The wind
caught it and whirled it in a dozen direc-
lions, and the underground caught and
blaZed up.
Bet ye five cents this housen be
burned up in about an hourl" said the
girl, coolly. We must take to the eel
lar. We'd better not wait for the smoke
to Stit1e US. WiSh't you'd Just bring that
mealbag that stands behind the door. [
couldn't move 1t, it's so heavy; but Pap
won't want it burned up"
Ralph shouldered the meal-bag with no
idea at all where he was going with it.
Betye seized the skin on which she had
slept the night before and dragged it
along, and in a half minute her 1.-THE
form had wriggled through the narrow
opening and down the rough ladder, pull
ing the skin after her. The strong hands
OF the young man then crowded the bag
through, and it fell safe at the bottom of
the cellar. He quickly followed, and the
poor dog, subdued and frightened
enough, was cOaXed and assisted to seat
| beside them.
Now We're all right-a little crowded,
| maybe! reckon you never lived in
laugh
Never! Inever had such fearful oc-
! caslon. What a strange deliyerance from
a dreadful death. 1t seems as if I mnst
| be in a dream! What shall | render flo
the Lord for this new token of His care
and love?" said the young minister, still
standing at the opening and watching the
| kindling woods.
l reckon He knew about your bein'
| in the woods and looked out for ye,"
said Betye, thOughtfully But ] don't
see how you managed to get of your
track
81 started this morning for Mr.. Dicks
place, which | suppose is within three or
/ four miles of this" said the man.
Oh, no! Bet We five cents / can tell
who you bel" interrupted the child.
You're Ralph Milburn, and you've come
to be the preacher and to marry our
schoolmiss!6
Right"' And then, turning and scan
ming by the dim light the unabashed face
that met his gaze, the young man said:
You're queer little girl; but not a bad
one, | think. can tell you who you are,
| think"
"Who?" asked Betye, laughing.
81 The little girl they call Betye. Miss
Lucy has written to INC of you"
i " Has She though? l dessay She was
allus writin'. Well, you're right, too"
And having found one another out,
Ralph Milburn and the little girl soon be-
gan to feel like friends.
Now and then Betye scrambled up the
ladder to lean out and watch the progress
| OF the cOntiagration The roof of the
cabin soon caught fire, and all the even
I-IS2 nv io-7 WIZ JUL IlllS anu SlIOhIil0-
Night found them so weary with excite
ment that they could not but sleep.
When they looked out, at first break of
day, they were reioiccd to see that
steady rain was falling and the air was
once more clear and pure. They came
out and Betye picked her steps over The
! threshold and into the still smokingr ruins
Of the cabin
There's coal in the fireplace yet"
| said she, opening hole in the ashes with
a stick; and straightway she commenced
preparations for breakfast
Bet We five cents ] took care Of the
skillet and the meat and the 'lasses; but
/ don't know what | should ha done
about the corn-meal if it hadn't a-been
Tor you! Reckon might ha' saved some
in somethin' or other, so / wouldn't
starye," said practical Betye.
Il shouldn't have wanted breakfast
this morning if it hadn't been for you
and the good Lord" said her new friend.
They were still eating the corn-cake
which Betye had cooked over the Goals
in her Skillet and some dried venison she
had saved, whenEa footstep was heard,
and directly the miner stood before them
His only salutation was: "Hullom
Hullo, Pap" said Betye
"All right, are We, my brave gal?"
I