Crawford avalanche., 1896-02-27

Brompton was not posing for r wild
Norseman or Greek hero he was sit
ting very close to Ellis, criticlsing, In
soft, caresslng tones, the sketches of
himself which she Ind been doing.
without actually straying from the
path Of duty, Ellie was treading on
dangerously uncertain territory. She
quite frankly admitted to herself that
she was pretty and charming and, be-
ing of that mind, she did not repress
comparisons between her husband and
the younger man.
Matters had arrived Mt state where
q warm-hearted, but vain, young wom-
an needed friend with the strength
to hold up a good, powerful; unrelens.
ing mirror for her to gaze into. Pete
could have held up the mirror with
right good will, but he did not know
how. In those days he followed the
Major around with dogAike devotion,
and only glowered when Ellie came out
to the orchard one morning with her
paints and succeeded In bringing upon
herself a scolding from her over-indul-
gent husband. She held her head very
high and stiff, and marched over the
hill some distance away, where she
seated herself and pretended to sketch,
but was in reality nursing her injured
feelings to keep them alive The Major
watched her disappear with panied
expression on his good-natured face,
and then went dejectedly into the
house. Pete was deeply incensed
against Ellie, and made another solemn
VOW to desert thesmnch. 1t was the
ninety-and-ninth time that he had done
so. and this time he sealed the vow
with an oath.
The long grass on the Napa hills was
burned and crisp, and Ellie was daub-
ing yellow Ochre and burnt umber over
her canvas with vicious strokes. She
was not giving any attention to her
work, however, for an athletic form
stood between her and the landscape,
and she was indulging In very foolish
day-dream. To do the little woman JUS
tice she was not in love with Bromp-
ton, but her vanity had been stimulated
to such wonderful activity by his
youthful gallantries, that she fancied
he was deeply infatuated with her.
Over the mountain side, half mile
away, Pete leaned on his hoe, and
watched thread of fire crawling, like
a red snake, through the underbrush of
chapparal and manzanita. He knew
only too well that no human power
could stop it, and within few minutes
the gentle breeze would cause q flying
spark to fall upon the long, dry grass,
and puff!-the crawling snake would
become great swirling, galloping
mass of flame and smoke, and would
pass over the place where Ellie sat
sulking and dreaming. Pete had firm
ly determined to leave the ranch. He
had washed his hands Of these people.
He would not-but the grass was on
fire and Pete made n dash for the house
yelling at the top of his lungs for the
Major.
The volume of smoke was rising high
when Ellie rose TO her feet and shifted
the air. Before she could gather up
her paints thin rim of fire ran along
the top of the little hill above her. The
small birds and insects rose from the
ground with whirr, and scattered
down the hillside. Ellie glanced quick
ly backward. and saw the fire licking
up the grass us it bore down upon her
and the smoke rolling heavenward in
dense. sooty clouds. She did not lose
her presence of mind but remembered
away, where the flames could not reach
her, and ran nimbly down the hill, with
her futteling skirts gathering cookie
burs and sticker weed as she sped
When she was fairly on the ploughed
ground and gasping for breath she saw
the hill at a frantic rate. Through the
smoke he looked pale and frightened.
Ellie felt a thrill Of satisfaction; here
was the longed-for proof of his love, he
thought she was in danger and had
come to her rescue. A deep blush
mounted to her cheeks and her heart
beat to suffocatiOn. But he did not
seem to see her. 1t was evident to her
that he was crazed with fear and would
plunge into the fire in search of her.
Merciful God! he would be burned.
"Brompton. she screamed; "Bromp-
ton, am here, safer
The fire was very close and she had
to throw herself fiat upon the ground
to escape being burned. She gave one
more despairing cry as she felt the hot
breath scorching her clothing:
"Brompton! Brompton! Bromptonw
A great wave of smoke and flame
swept around the edges Of the ploughed
ground, and for minute nothing could
be seen or heard. Fortunately for Ell
lie, the dry grass burned like tinder
and the fire was soon roaring down the
hill toward the valley.
When Ellie, choked and frightened.
lifted her head, she saw the thin, long
scantily-clad legs of her husband
bounding over the blackened earth to-
ward her. His duck trousers were
smeared with SCOT, and he had a wet
blanket about his shoulders. He could
not speak. but caught Ellie in his arms
and burst into stified sobs.
Back Of them was heard the voice of
Brompton Edwards.
Hello, there, Major" he called; 81
had very narrow squeak of it. My
hammock and books are burned to tin.
der by this. BY jOve, old fellow, you
are burned yourself, aren't you? Your
uifo u,oc On 20 anouub yrar, cba