The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-02-07

near the lake, not even negro cabin; for on one
side stretched the treacherotis meadows; on the
other the sad hung cypress and palmetto tees
rose up ont ot the black slime OF the swamp, the
water foaming around their onarled and toothke
roots Across the lake an alligator swan. a Widen
ing wake marking HIS progress. Frank Hilyer fred
again and again at the black tin showing above the
water, but he might as well have shot at ron-cad
Monitor, for oil the effect his bullets had His boat
the swamp and Emily was walking on the fallen
trees that lay rottng among the tnngled vines and
wicked-looking green moss Behind her doomed up
the dark, gloomy forest. which seemeda Mt hablta-
ton for snakes hobgoblins and horrid scaly crea-
lures, and dragons waiting for some st. George to
tThere comes the gallant captain said Hiiyer,
placing his gun In the bottom OF the boat carefully.
The parson turned around and waved his hat. lie
was hot and cross, the poor old man. for though he
had brought n stout negro boy TO pole him through
the creek, he could not keep close TO the boat that
ga s ad n wcrd u aa na ne oo way
rather hot aud cross, disappointed to boot, having
failed 10 capture the tnest alligator When he
sharply that the parson glanced at her, expecting
some tart retort from her, but instead she obeyed
"Bewitched," muttered the parson under ha
breath. M
"Ah, jim" she cried, when the captain pulled up
80 much as a sandwich left for you, poor thingln
"And now we are going home,' Hiyer added,
placing the oars IN the rowlocks
"what on earth brought yol to this forsaken spot ~
asked the parson, In bitter irritation.
ION, Just for row; hadn't ANYTHING to do"
cas!caily. MS push, tug, row, all the way ''
The captain laughed softly. at must have beeu
SS on E woSS he %e take * yO
company. Your cousin is about used up
she glanced at Hllyef as though asking his permits
rowed swiftly out into the lake. lie was no match,
however, for the tough, why southerner, who gave
chase and drew up alongside srasplnG Hilyers boat
'iComc. Emily he said, and he leaned over toward
her, his dark eyes glowing like GOALS She hesated.
At that abe bur, burst ont laughing. Nobody says
must to me- Jim she rapped his hands with her
hras e ne TSad "H let d 9? ba s o
am now"
played idly with the little ropes; her cousin lighted
cigarette and tried to blow rings, but the wind,
Witch was tossing the water up in little waves,
after long, breathless minute, laid hold OF Ms oars
and rowed to the outlet Of the lake, where he was
soon lost to sight among the reeds. Then Hyer
"Bravo, Emily he said. She colored little un.
having hard work to push their boat out OF the mud
into the water, and he therefore made no haste, for
presently began to talk in somewhat melancholy
strain OF his past life, and he spoke as though there
had had, been little s pleasure " SUI IN ne who had roamea
cere. and with money and to spare in his pocket
but Emily knew weary, stated men, and liis half.
her face showing the sympathy she felt and she re.
proved him gently when he went too far In his de-
nunciatlon OF the shams and hypocrlsies Of the
world. 1t was the old plant, nothing new under the
sun.
..But, Emily he said, ~ wonder what happy star
led me down South this winter2 was ioaanE
about the club one day, and some OF my friends
came aud asked me to go to Florida with them.
didn't want IT. to but then didn't want t3 do anything
snipe day should he in state of bliss. We went
straight to Oak Bluff'-he paused, for she look
her cousin and his friends at Oak Bluff had reached
her ears, vague stories OF cardpaying and midnight
orgies low practical Jokes and dubious adventures.
men seemed to find pleasure In way that I-well,
dersand," said poor ignorant Emily in wise, old
wOmaniHh tone.
Rather you divine ,,u what mean he returned;
up my Florida uncle and cousin, who gave me
greeting that didn't dare to expect. Emily"-he
rested on his for minute, and spoke earnestly
81 never was so happy in my life as have been
In the pause that followed the wind carried the
boat to the mouth OF the creek, and he shipped his
oars and rose to change places with her. When he
took her hand to help her across the seats he put his
her ear that brought the blood TO her cheeks In a
torrent Over her shoulder he saw the parson COM
ing down the lake rapidly the negro boy working at
watchful eyes Hilyer pushed his boat through the
creek in silence, until he and Emily were deep
among the reeds. Then he left his post in the stern
and sat down close beside her, caspng her hands,
but she drew them away and pointed behind her
He turned and saw black smoke rolling up from the
dried grass, borne straight them by the wind
"Father has set are to the meadow she said. "He
Is ALWAYS throwing matches about, but he ought to
have remembered that we were ahead"
Her cousin started at her. He did not know how
common such fires were to her, and he said, ten
DERBY. "Don't be frightened, DEAR
"Frightened! why, of course am not"
tongue OF flame shot up, and at the sight of that
Franks face turned white He sprang to the stern
bow into the reeds and mud III his wild efforts to out
Better let me have the POLE" said Emily. hafris-
ing. ~ am used to the creek. and we could get on
faster If you didn't plunge about So"
~ "sit DOWN. he shouted. "Wny, this is awful.
He gave desperate push that Sc. sent he boat deem
into the mud; but thought flashed into his mind.
and stepping roughly past Emily, he knelt down in
.Are you going to say your prayers?" she asked
"Really you needn't. we can reach the wide part
"Never!' he said, with groan. lie took silver
match.safe out Of his pocket "fll burn the
meadows ahead; the wind will carry the flames
He was so near Emily that 1t was easy for her to
dash the match he had struck out of his hand
you forget that Jim must be Just beyond here"
"Jim ~ he repeated. "eh, the captain. Well, he
can do the same thng-every man for himself.
minutes" He struck another match, his hands
trembling Violently but that one too she nung into
here and be burned to death2"
g! don't mean to let you burn Jim to DEATH" she
said. "Perhaps he hasn't match, and II yoa act
the grass ON fire here, 1t may catch up with him in
minute. How can we tell where he s?''
She seized the little match-case from her cousin
oh you Coward she exclaimed, when i she he saw es
face blanch. "You are afraid, and there is no dan
Ge AFTER after all n;o we can keep ahead of the fire.
He looked as though he would strike her, but she
met ms terrled, angry eyes unninchingly, and
the air was full of cracking sound as the flames
gained Roadway. White as sheet, Hilyer pushed
the boat forward with oil his might and main, but
way backward slowly, like a crab.
81 saw the fire, Emily he said, "and did not
grass ahead with AS he spoke spoke he set fire to
the grass on either side of his boat and the danes
cut o clean swath, which grew wider as the tongue
Of fire. famed by the wind, ran among the roots OF
"Thank God, you came y cried Hiyer, iervently.
scared man ever saw he said. Sand YOU are as
safe a baby In crib The nre can't touch u.s.
There Is nothing for it to feed on when we push
"Then push ahead" shouted Hilyer, casting look
behind him at the blazing meadow. ut In all very
in the water when / wanted to fire the grass.
81 am very grateful TO her." said the captain, f0r
/ was 80 close that couldn't have got out Of the
way; was only around the turn there"
Of this furnace
"1he flames can't eaten us now,n the captain re.
turned; hut he took his pole and was about TO push
on, when Emily stepped into his boat. He did not
say word only helped her down to a seat, and then
pushed forward into the blackened path where the
clarrcd tips OF the reeds showed above the water
They rode safe, but all about them the meadows
blazed like sea OF fire. and the smoke curled over
their heads. To the captain and Emily the scene
was neither new nor alarming, but Hyer did not
draw long breath until he was safe In the wide
creek. He pulled homeward alone. for Emily re-
fused to so with him, saying CURLY that she and the
captain would wait for her father. The two rat fac
Ing each other In the little boat and she the first
to speak.
"He was frightened she said.
swell, II was dangerous" said the captain, "for
tho wind blew hard on us. II we had happened to
be without matches-and only had one--it would
have been mighty close shave"
"But no needn't have lost his Senses" she CRIED
ale didn't know what he was doing; he couldn't
Keep the boat In the channel.n
"He isn't used to polling through the raeds," said
the captain. at isn't easy. am glad, though, you
didn't let him fire the grass. He forgot l must be
Just ahead.n
Gle didn't care" said Emily. "But I did, Jim. y
The captain looked not at her, but at the dark red
SILK scarf knoted sailor fashion at her throat; and
she tore It OF. then leaned over and kissed the hand
that little while before she had struck.
Overhead the big heron still was lowering about,
1t swooped down and nearer, caught the silk
scarf that noated on the water and bore It away In
triumph.
minute later the parson appeared. ~ thought
you would have sense enough 10 re aead,n he said,
staring at his daughter in beWilderment. NWhen