The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1895-03-16

|
| ny: II was just getting ready for a
| flying trip to your house. I-have been
| to Sherwood, and as tomorrow hap
pens to 10 your sisters birthday, I
! bought her n little present, md l 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 4 handsome plush toilet
| case, carefully wrapped in several pa
pers.
''Isn't that daisy!" the young man
| cried. warmly. II can imagine how
Alice's blue eyes will shine when she
secs it,
Didn't it cost a mint of money!" tho
boy asked rcproachfully.
''Only five dollars. Elmer. will own
that to be a Good sum for a Dakota
farmer to spend on a 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 se,v-
ing and smiled shrewdly at ttis trans
parent speech; but Elmer saw nothing
significant in it, and went on with his
errand in 4 rapid way.
Jacks brow cloudcd in q moment
THE impudcnt besgar!" he exclaimed
angrily.
Miss Williams shook her head grave
ly.
II am afraid he will carry out his
threat. Indians nre SO vindictivc! I
wish Alice would break up houselkeep-
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 Maxoas puff of smoke was
asce nding 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 1t will
strike Alice first!''
''isut there is a plowed safety line
about the house." said Miss Williams.
.sOf no more value than 4 tow string
when those masses of burning, tun-
bling weeds from Ogdcn's breaking arc
swept along by the wind! Can you and
Elmer set q head fire beyond our house,
ar,t, meet this one'with wet brooms and
blankets when it comes, while 1 90 for
Alice on my wheel?'
YES" replied the determined wom-
an. eve can save this place, think,
but do not believe you can bring
Alice on the bicycle"
Trust me for that" said Jack,
mounting hurriedly. ''She is as light
rs a feather, and brave enough to keep
her balance. l can ride ahead of any
y
under his breath as he spun out over
the trail, "if cannot save her we can
die together!'
Sarah Williams lost no time in maxi
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 fame rushing
away from his house, and knew that
w hen the advancing forces came up
they would find the cool-hcaded 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. few rods from the door Of
the house he met Alice running in |
haste.
''Quick! Quicker he shouted, as he |
circled about and turned to his own /
claim. ''Come with me AMI can save
you-the place must go!'
She grasped his strong hand, sprang
up to the support of his arm, and,
doubly frefghted, the light, steel
forged vehicle started on its return.
There have been many novel races
in the world, but never another like
This. Love md fear, life and death,
courage and calmness were all in the
balance, and a straw might determine
the result. Cracking and kissing be-
hind them was o wall of fire. Clouds
If thick smoke rushed about them,
md sickening heat seemed to swallow
Up sight and hearing; but still Jacks
'eet steadily guided the pedals, still he
held tho precious burden against his
breast, and on they flew before the
Wind. Only when he felt his muscles
luivering under the strain he whis-
,ered hoarsely in the girls ear:
Alice, love you! Living or dead,
We will never be separated!' And AL
ce whispered: ''Never!''
Then with new strength he pumped
m, and foNnd himself on black soil. A
ew revolutions more, and he WIS in
he midst Of his own safety burrows,
With q huge mass Of burning weeds
loosely pursuing him, which was shat
cred and thrown back by two pitch
orlxs in the hands of Sarah and Elmer.
Then they oil rallied and assailed the
lery enemy as it came up in roaring
ines. beating it down and giving cx-
llcsnt cheers at its sullen death.
An hour afterwards, a smoky, grim
aced couple with watery eyes and
cry dirty hands stood before Miss
;arah Williams and confessed that they
we're engaged.
'sWhen did it happen?'' she asked
nth q curious twinkle in her red eyes,
nd Jack promptly answered.:
ASK our bicy Jour
al.
-Vitellius, the Roman emperor, waa
he most noted glu ton Of his time. He
sould cat all he could possibly hold.
hen take an emetic upd begin over