Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-08-08

HS WV OuiiNiHSo HOiN9 AZ Rio
neer phrase, "handy tc each other,'
being only mile apart; and when
the boy rescued jacks home, he
found that sturdy fellow on his
knees in front of the cabin, oiling
and polishing bicycle with indus
trious care.
"Hilloa, Elmer" he called out,
cheerfully. II was just getting ready
for flying trip to your house. |
have been to Sherwood, and as to-
morrow happens to be your sisters
birthday, bought her little pres
ent, and ! 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 handsome plush tot
let case, carefully wrapped in sever.
al papers.
isn't that daisy y the young
man cried warmly. Il can imagine
how Alice's blue eyes will shine
when she sees it,"
didn't 1t cost mint of money"
the boy asked reproachfully.
"Only five dollars, Elmer. | will
own that to be good sum for Da
kota farmer to spend on thing of
beauty but it is my first gift to
your sister, and nothing seems too
extravaeant for Alice"
Miss Williams, Jacks elder sis
ter and housekeeper, looked up from
her sewing and smiled shrewdly at
this transparent speech but Elmer
saw nothing significant in it, and
went on with his errand in rapid
way.
Jacks brow clouded moment.
"The impudent beggarl" be ex-
claimed apgrily.
Miss Williams shook her head
gravely.
~ am afraid he will carry out his
threat. Indi are so yindictivel I
wish Alice would break up house.
keeping and spend the winter with
u.s."
A cry from Elmer brought the
others quickly to the door. Beyond
the dugout Of the Maxons a puff Of
smoke was ascending toward the
sky, and the wind was behind it,
blowing gale. Jack caught the sit
uatlon in an instant.
:" Sarah, he cried, excitedly,
"White Bears work has begun. We
are all in the pathway of that fire,
and it will strike Alice first"
"But there is plowed safety line
about the touse,' said Miss Will
liams.
"Of no more value than tow
string when those masses Of burn
ing, tumbling weeds from Ogden's
breaking are swept along by the
windl Can you and Elmer set a
head fire beyond our house, and
meet this one with wet brooms and
blankets when it comes, while l go
for Alice on my wheel?"
eyes, replied the determined
woman. ave can save this place, l
think, but I do not think you can
bring Alice on the bicycle
Trust me for that said Jack,
mounting hurriedly. "She is as light
as q feather, and brave enough to
keep her balance. can ride ahead
of any ordinary prairie fire, and, he
added under his breath, as be spun
out over the trail, eff | cannot save
her we can die together"
Sarah Williams lost no time in
making those efficient preparations
for battle with fire that are so ia.
miliar with the western pioneer, ard,
as Jack looked back over his shout.
der, be saw the headline of fiery fame
rushing away from his house, and
knew that when the advancing forces
came up they would find the cool
headed 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. A few rods from
the door of the house he met Alice
running with frantic haste.
Quick |" Quick I" be shouted,
as he circled about and turned to his
own claim. "Come with me and ]
can save you-the place must gof'
She grasped his strong hand,
sprane up to the support Of his arm,
and, doubly freighted, the light,
steei-forged vehicle started on its
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