The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-05-02

were set, but he remembered the ex-
: panse OF brown pasture south of the
house. This wind might sweep the fire
over the widest guards.
Within two minutes his horse was
racing toward the valley.
Alexander Springer strolled over the
half mile between the farmhouse where
ne boarded and Esther Hllton's home,
and sat under the cottonwood trees,
reading Tennyson, in his meliduous
voice.
Esther was almost in paradise. The
wind swayed the tree tops, but did not
reach these two in their retreat.
Suddenly she sprang to her feet anc
stood with head raised, inhaling the
air. Then she ran swiftly around the
house, followed by her companion.
They saw the fire coming down on
them with hiss, roar and crackle.
s'The horses!" she cried, pointing
out on the prairie, in front Of the ad-
vancing fame, where several Of the
animals paved and shifted in terror.
"Come, they are picketed fast, and we
must save them. Father left them IN
my care" ;,
"But, Miss Esther" expostulated
Mr.. Springer, with white face, and
wringing his hands, "we can't really,
you know, for it wouldn't be safe. |
would help you it-if- Well, l
must think of my duty to my company
and l don't know what they would DO
if Oh, really, Miss Esther!''
And his voice walled despairingly, as
Esther turned long, scornful look up
on him. Then, in utter despair, ne
turned and fled.
Once again the girl looked at the
frightened horses. Did she dare? Just
then her own pony threw up its head
and whinnied at her loudly, as though
calling for help, and her mind was
made up.
Swiftly she sped over the browE
grass, so soon to be blackend, holding
her head low, that the advancing swirls
of smoke might not blind her.
She reached the first picket rope,
threw all her strength on the heavy
iron picket pin, driven deep into the
ground, and it yielded, and the horse
galloped away, then the second and
the third.
Last and farthest out was Gipsy, her
pony. Reachingit, she tugged wildly
at the rope, but it resisted.
Again and again she tried. The pony
was straining at the length Of the
tether, hindering her. The smoke
blinded her, and particles of charred
grass were whirling about her
Just as the impulse came to her tc
throw her face downward on the
ground and let the flames sweep over
her, the iron pin loosened.
Then there came in her ears, along
with the rushing of the fire, the sound
of hurriedly-galloping horse, and out
of the very breadth of the fame, Esther
was caught in a pair Of strong arms
and lifted to saddle, and she heard
Hal Morrison's voice, urging his good
gray horse.
Right at their heels roared and tow
cred the flames, but the horse passed
the guard in safety and reached the
greener grass of the yard.
The fire chased them to the edge Oh
the plowing, and then sank down,
silently.
Esther raised her head and looked
into her rescuer's face. It was griny
with dust from the threshing machine
and SCOT from the fire.
In his effort and anxiety: rivulets o!
perspiration had trickled down his
cheeks, leaving white paths, but bis
eyes of stea dfast blue held world OF
love and of relief that the threatened
danger was passed.
:sOh, Hal, wasn't worth it!'
And her arms were clasped around
his neck, while her brown head found
refuge on his breast.
But Hal, though he never said word
told her; by the close embrace he gave
her, that he did not regret going
through fire to gain her.