Arizona republican., 1895-02-21


threats" said his sister.
'Well, believe l had better go up
to Jack Williams cabin and tell him
about it, and see what he thinks we
should do to protect ourselves"
Alice blushed prettily.
1--WE are always appealing to Jack
Williams for help" she said deprecat-
1ngly. 81 am afraid he thinks we are
very troublesome.
mo, he doesn't. Alice! Only yester-
day he told me if anything happened
to you to let him know, and he is al
ways offering to help us, as if it was
the pleasantest and most natural thing
in the world
He is very kind and Alice Maxon's
face grew still more rosy. Perhaps it
would be well to consult him; and you
should lose no time in going, Elmer,
for YOU must be back before dark"
Elmer did not wait for a second bid
ding, but mounted the only horse they
possessed and rode away towards the
Williams homestead.
The two buildings were, in pioneer
phrase, ''handy to each other" being
only mile apart; and when the boy
reached Jacks home, he found that
sturdy fellow on his knees in front of
the cabin, oiling and polishing BIZ
cycle with industrious care.
"Hilloa, Elmerr' he called out, cheer
lily. 81 was just getting ready for a
flying trip to your house. have been
to Sherwood, and as tomorrow hap
pens to be your sisters birthday, l
| bought her little present, and / was
going to bring it over on my wheel"
Elmer was alive with interest now,
and White Bear was forgotten till
after Jack had brought from the
kitchen table handsome plush toilet
| case, carefully wrapped in several pa
pers.
isn't that daisy!' the young man
| cried, warmly. Il can imagine how
Alice's blue eyes will shine when she
sees it,
Didn't it cost mint of money!" the
boy asked reproachfully.
''Only five dollars, Elmer. Twill own
| that to be a good sum for Dakota
| farmer to spend on thing of beauty:
but it is my first gift to your sister, and
! nothing seems too extravaganza for
Alice
| Miss Williams, Jacks elder sister and
housekeeper, looked up from her sew
| ing and smiled shrewdly at this trans
parent speech; but Elmer saw nothing
! significant in it, and went on with his
errand in rapid way.
| Jacks brow clouded in a moment.
''The impudent beggar" he exclaimed
angrily.
Miss Williams shook her head grave
ly.
Il am afraid he will carry out his
threat. Indians are so vindictive! l
wish Alice would break up housekeep-
ing and spend the winter with us.
A cry from Elmer brought the others
quickly to the door. Beyond the dug
out of the Maxons puff of smoke was
ascending toward the sky, and the
wind was behind it, blowing a gale.
Jack caught the situation in an in
slant.
Sarah" he cried, excitedly, ''White
Bears work has begun, We are all in
the pathway of that fire, and it will
strike Alice frst!'
But there is plowed safety line
about the house," said Miss Williams
''Of no more value than a tow string
when those masses. of burning, tum-
bling weeds from Ogden's breaking are
swept along by the wind! Can you and
Elmer set a head fire beyond our house,
and meet this one'with wet brooms and
blankets when it comes, while 1 go for
Alice on nv Wheel?"
Yes" replied the determined wom-
an. eve can save this place, 1 think,
but l do not believe you can bring
Alice on the bicycle"
''Trust me for that!' said Jack,
! mounting hurriedly. ''She is as light
as feather, and brave enough to keep
her balance. | can ride ahead of any
ordinary prairie fire, and" he added
under his breath as he spun out over
the trail, ''if l cannot save her we can
die together!''
Sarah Williams lost no time in MAX
ing those efficient preparations for a
battle with fire that are so familiar
with the western pioneer, and, as Jack
looked back over his shoulder, he saw
the headline of fiery flame rushing
away from his house, and knew that
when the advancing forces came up
they would find the cool-headed woman
and boy ready to meet them.
He could see the blaze rising above
the smoke behind the Maxon buildings,
and knew it was coming with awful
speed A few rods from the door of
the house he met Alice running in
frantic haste.
"Quick! Quick!' he shouted, as he
| airclad bout and turned to his own