Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1896-03-07

he loved her. If she could only havo
some test of his love, what a satisfac-
tion it would bel
Over on the mountain side, a half mile
away, Pete leaned on his hoe, and
watched a thread of fire crawling, like
red snake, through the underbush of
chaparral and manzanita. He knew
only too well that no human power
could stop it, and that within few
minutes the gentle breeze would cause
flying spark to fall upon the long dry
grass, and puff!-the crawling snake
would become a great swirling, gallop-
ing mass of flame and smoke, and
would pass over the very place where
Ellie sat sulking and dreaming. Pete
had firmly 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 a
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 u whirr, and scattered
down the hillside. Ellie glanced quick
| ly backward, and saw the fire licking
up the grass as it bore down upon her
and the smoke rolling heavenward in
dense, sooty clouds. She did not lose
| hnr Of 1N,,+ 1onr
a small plowed field a short distance
away, where the flames could not
reach her, and ran nimbly down the
hill, with her fluttering skirts gather
ing cookie burs and sticker weed as
she sped.
When she was fairly on the plowed
ground and gasping for breath, she
saw the young Englishman tearing
along the hill at q frantic rate.
Through the smoke he looked pale and
frightened. Ellie felt thrill of salts.
faction; here was the longed-for proof
of his love; he thought she was in dan
ger 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. Itwas 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; "dear
Brompton, am here, safe!"
The fire was very close, and she had
to throw herself fiat upon the ground
to escape being burned. She gave ono
more despairing cry as she felt the hot
breath scorch her clothing:
"Brompton! Brompton! BromptonH
A great wave of smoke and flame
swept around the edges of the plowed
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 we,
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; "'
had very narrow squeak of it. Ny
hammock and books are burned to tin
der by this. By Jove, old fellow, yor
are burned yourself, aren'tyou? You
wife was safe enough. knew sh'
could take care of herself"
But Ellie buried her head in the we
blanket with shudder, and burst int
tears of shame and contrition.
"Well, WELL" gasped Pete, who ha'
stumbled up the hill with a bundle o
wet sacks. 81 never was SO plague!
scared in my life. Thought you'd b.