Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-09-19
FACING THE FIRE.
Miss Janey's Self-Sacriflce and It's
Reward.

was 'fraid the fire would catch us.
Just as though l couldn't take care Of
one girl" Tom was ten and Dell
seven, and he domineered over her in
a most aggravating manner, but she
couldn't stand that and turned on him,
stamping her foot passionately.
Tom Earle, you're the awfullest
story fibber. You know l wasn't afraid
for us, but, oh, Janey," turning her
dirty, woe-begone little face to the
older sister, dolly went over to the
big ravine, and l most know she will
be burned up, cause she is SO poky.
She was the best friend l had, and l
slapped her just dreadful this morning
cause she wouldn't give me the big
gest piece of candy. O-oo-ve if Dolly
dies I'll die too; know l WILL" and
burying her face in Janey's damp dress
she walled in most dolorous fashion.
''Come, Dell, dry your eyes. I'll
take you and Tom home and then go
after Dolly. Here. Tom, put Dell on
in front of me and you climb on be-.
hind. Brete won't like it. but guess
he'll have to stand it. What possessed
Dolly to 60 home by the ravine? It's
a mile out of her way"
1--WE didn't want her to 60 that way,
but she said there was a nest of cot
ton-tails down there and she wanted to
take them bome," sobbed Dell.
1.-The hateful little city fiirt, broke
In Tom. Il was going with her to
carry 'em home if she'd 60 havers.
and she said she didn't like to 60
with barefooted boys And I told
her she didn't hat to. l don't care
nothin' for girls, no how" he added de-
family.
Janey was too busy with her thoughts
to answer, and the sure-footed Brete
soon took them home, where Mrs.
Earle gathered the children to her
heart with an inward prayer of thanks.
giving.
Janey only paused long enough to
dip the blanket once again in the
trough, then spreading it full length
over Brete she jumped on his back
and called to Tom to bring her the
other.
what in the dickins are you going
to do now, Jane?" asked the irrepress.
ible as he obeyed her order.
81 am going after Dolly Lands. :"
'Janey, daughter" said the mother,
TREMENDOUSLY, putting out restraining
hand.
mo. mother" said Janey, decided
ly, II must go. Just think, it might
have been Dell, you know; l won't be
in much danger. If the fire comes toe
close l have my wet blankets, and if
am surrounded can cover up in them
and turn Brete loose. l have my
matches to use in case can"
As she rode away she felt the vino
changing. thus bringing the fire more
directly to the ravine, towards which
she was speeding, and at the same
time menacing the little home. She
looked back just once and the feetins
glimpse was never forgotten. The
sun. like a great yellow ball lazily
sliding down the western sky, wa.
flooding the prairie and far-distan
hills in mellow light Away to thu
north the trees on Ash creek stood
out green and tall, and east of then
lay the blackened prairie over which
the flames had just swept; behind hel
lay the little farm with its broad
acres of ripened corn, while just be
fore her, each moment lessening tn,
distance, leaped and roared the prai
RE fire, writing and twisting through
the taller grass like so many fer,
serpents. Between it and her lay tn,
old Santa Fe trail, grass-grown nov
and weak barrier to such an element
Slight as it was it mattered not to her
for she had to cross it to reach the ra
vine.
Setting her teeth hard, she urge,
Brete on, crossing the trail and head
ing for the ravine, which was only
few rods away. The fire was peril
ously near, but just before her sh
saw the small figure of a chill,
scrambling over the bank and knew
was Dolly. Brete was snorting an,
almost unmanageable from fear. an,
just on the edge of the ravine a blaz
ing tumble weed borne ON the win,
fell in front of him. He gave
frightened plunge. which sent bot
horse and rider rolling to the bottom
OF the deep gully. Half stunned b
the fall. Janey attempted to rise, bu
found it impossible because of tn
pain in her ankle. At her side la
the faithful pony. his head double
under him and neck broken. Dolly
with her dinner-basket held tight i
her hand, was half rolling. half slid
ing down the bank after her.
b 'Oh. Miss Janey, l was SO afrai
somebody wouldn't come md v,v -.t