The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1895-02-02

L
| "Hilloa, Elmer!" he called out, cheer
lily. ~ was just getting ready for n
flying trip to your house. l have been
to Sherwood, and rs tomorrow hap
pens to be your sisters birthday,
bought her little present, and was
going to bring 1t 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 n daisy!' the young man
cried, warmly. II can imagine how
Alice's blue eyes will shine when she
sees it."
Didn't it cost mint of money!" tho
boy asked reproachfully.
"Only five dollars, Elmer. Twill own
that to be good sum for Dakota
farmer to spend on thing of beauty;
but it is my first gift to your sister, and
nothing seems too extravagant for
Alice"
Miss Williams, Jacks elder sister and
housckeeper, 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 a rapid way.
jacks brow cloudcd in q moment.
THE impudent beggar" he exclaimed
angrily.
Miss Williams shook her head grave
ly.
81 am afraid he will carry out his
| IA n
wish Alice would break up housekeep-
ing and spend the winter with u.s."
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 gale.
Jack caught the situation in an in
slant.
Sarah" he cried, excitcdly, white
Bears work has begun. We are all in
the pathway of that fire, and it will
strike Alice flrst!"
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 head fire beyond our house,
and meet this one'with wet brooms and
blankets when it comes, while go for
Alice on my whecl?"
Yes" replied tho determined wom-
an. eve can save this place., think,
but l do not believe you can bring
Alice on the bicycle"
"Trust me for thatp said Jack,
mounting hurriedly. 'Shc is as light
as feather, and brave enough to keep
her balance. | can ride ahead of any
ordinary prairie fro, and" he added
under his breath as he spun out over
the trail, ''if cannot save her we can
die togethcr!'
Sarah Williams lost no time in mals<
ing those efficient preparations for n
battle with fire that arc 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-hendcd woman
and boy ready to meet them.
| He could sec 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.
"QuiclSl Quicll!' he shouted, as he
circled about and turned to his own
| claim. Come with me an can save
you-the place must go"
She grasped his strong hand, sprang
up to the support of his arm, and,
doubly freighted, the light, steel
forged vehicle started on it's return.
There have been many novel races
in the world, but never another like
this. Love and fear, life and death,
courage and calmness were all in the
balance, and n straw might determine
the result. Cracking and kissing be-
hind them was wall of fire. Clouds
| of thick smoke rushed about them,
and siclSening heat seemed to swallow
up sight and hearing; but still jacks
feet steadily guided the pedals, still he
held the precious burden against his
breast, and on they flew before the
wind. Only when he felt his muscles
quivering under the strain he whis-
pcrcd hoarscly in the girls ear:
"Alicc, love you! Living or dead,
we will never be separated!' And AL
ice whispered: "Never!"
Then with new strength he pumped
| on, and found himself on black soil. A
few revolutions more, and he was in
the midst Of his own safety burrows,
with huge mass OF burning weeds
closely pursuing him, which was shat
tered and thrown back by two pitch
forks in the hands of Sarah and Elmer.
Then they all rallied and assailed the
fiery enemy as it came up in roaring
lines, beating it down and giving ex-
ultant cheers at its sullen death.
An hour afterwards, a smoky, grim
faced couple with watery eyes and
very dirty hands stood before Miss
Sarah Williams and confessed that they
were engaged.
"When did It happcn?" she asked
with n curious twinkle in her red eyes,
and Jack promptly answered:
"Ask our bicycle. "-Woman's Jour