The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-06-06

and seized fallen fagot, lighted the dead
leaves where they were thickest and
dryest, and before square rod had
burned and left the bare sod her kindled
fire met the advancing column; she
threw herself face downward on the
smoldering ground, and awaited the
sweep of the fiery tempest. Nota draught
of air was there that was not also heat,
smoke and ashes; and above and around,
the hot sea reared and cracked, as though
it had conspired with all its forces to
crush the life out of one weak little wo-
man.
"This is deathY was Julia's last
thought, then came Inconsistencies.
It was 8 o'clock, and soft rain was
falling. Over the miles of desolated for
ests still smoldered, in sullen defiance,
spots of fire, but the fury of the elements
had spent itself. Harry Selden stood
before long, low log house, tying the
painting horse that had brought him
there on as fierce a gallop as ever steed
was made to run. He was gazing eagerly
now through open doors and windows
even while engaged with caring for his
horse, but no graceful form, with its
piquant face, met his gaze. For this he
was both glad and sorry. She had not
come, she had obeyed his wishes, but
was she safe after this terrible day? 1t
was not scene Of merry making that he
looked in upon, though several strangers
were present, among them the two
young men from town, standing little
apart from the others.
The people seemed to be discussing
something seriously, in little groups of
two and three. The fiddler sat idly with
his instrument at his feet, and the pans
of apples and popcorn On the table re-
manned undisturbed; evidently the party
was a failure.
Harry stepped into the open door with
out knocking; silence fell upon the
company, and none dared meet his gaze.
"Miss Atherton is not here?" he asked
Of the good woman of the house.
"Alackaday! she is not, sir; no more
do any of us know where she is. They
BEL
"What! Isn't she at home-at her
boarding place, I mean?"
"Not without she's come there within
the last quarter Of an hour. A parcel O
men has gone to look for her, though
they was that tired and worn OUT
Harry waited to hear no more, but
darted out, mounted his horse, and flew
away to the Cleaver place.
She was not there, and Mary and the
younger children were crying bitterly.
"Oh, she can't be alive yet, I am very
much afraid" Mrs. Cleaver said choking
ly, "and it's all on account of these mis-
chievous young 'uns, that I should ever
have it to say O them. Jeanette she
went off among the corn stalks, all safe
and sound, and jake must be thinkin'
he saw her goin' fer the woods, to see the
fire burn. They be here all safe, while
the poor dear lady who went to look fur
'em be we none O. us knows where. Oh,
but these 'uns IL catch it when their
father comes" at which the crying
children set up fresh howl.
Pale and stern, Harry made them tell
all they knew, then set out himself,
knowing that, alive or dead, he should
find his darling.
Had the men not been so nearly worn
out, they would have found her sooner,
for it was not far, and there was no
brushwOod to hide the view. But the
night was dark, their rude lanterns
threw but little light, and the men STUN
bled about half asleep. Love was more
alert. In half an hour Harry Was bend
ing over the poor unconscious form, in
it's wet and half burned dress, moaning
over the blistered cheeks and arms, and
calling wildly on her name.
She moved, as his arms EMBODIED her,
and whispered his name, and this
Il did not go to the party, you see; it's
all right, isn't it, Harry"
Harry would never agree that it was
call right" until she could declare with
smooth and blooming face, many
weeks after, that she was as well as
ever, and would come to town to be his
little wife and housekeeper, instead of
remaining the "Cleaver district school
ma'am."
"Indeed," he said, "as your school
house is burned to the ground and the
directors will not build another until
they are able to put up a fine brick one,
your occupation is gone, and there is no
alternative"
Julia did not look as though the alter
native was very distasteful.-May Hunt
ley in Yankee Blade.