Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1896-04-03

however, for an athletic form stood be
| tween her and the landscape, and sh.
was indulging in a very foolish day
dream. To do the little woman Justice
she was not in love with Brompton, but
her vanity had been stimulated to sucl
wonderful activity by his youthful gal
lantries that she fancied he was deeply
infatuated with her. She wondered if he
would ever tell her that he loved her. Il
she could only have some test of his
love, what a satisfaction it would be!
T.
Over on the mountain side a hall
mile away Pete leaned on his hoe and
watched thread Of fire crawling like a
red snake through the underbrush OF
chaparral and manzanita. He knew only
too we'll 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 puf-the crawling snake would
become great swirling, galloping mass
Of flame and smoke and would pass over
the very place where Ellie sat sulking
and dreaming. Pete had firmly deter
mined to leave the ranch. He had wash
ed his hands of these people. He would
not-but the grass was Oh fire, and Pete
made 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 whir and scattered down
the hillside. Ellie glanced quickly back
ward 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 her pres
ence of mind, but remembered small
plowed field short distance away,
where the flames could not reach her,
and ran nimbly down the hill, with her
futtering skirts gathering cookie burs
and sticker weed as she sped.
When she was fairly on the plowed
SlOudu anu SuoPInS lOl DiOdtu, Su0 BID
the young Englishman tearing along the
hill at 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 be 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. "Dear
Brompton, am here-safe. -
The fire was very close, and she had
to throw herself fiat on the ground to
escape being burned. She gave one more
despairing cry as she felt the hot breath
scorch her clothing. Bromptonl
Brompton Brompton
A great wave of smoke and fame
swept around the edges of the plowed
ground, and for minute nothing could
be seen or heard. Fortunately for Ellie
the dry grass burned like finder, 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 bound
ing over the blackened earth toward 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
stifled sobs.
Back Of them was heard the voice Of
Brompton Edwards "Hello there, ma
jor!" he called. 81 had a very narrow
squeak Of it. Ny hammock and books
are burned to finder by this. By Jove.
old fellow, you are burned yourself,
aren't you? Your wife was safe enough.
I knew she could take care Of herself. -
But Ellie buried her head in the wet
blanket with shudder and burst into
tears Of shame and contrition.
"Well, well," gasped Pete, who had
stumbled up the hill with bundle of
wet sacks. II never was SO plaguey
scared in my life. Thought you'd be
puruou SURE, MISS LllIo. M0 anu LIS md-
jor'll have fine time next week clear
ing''-
For Pete had reconsidered his ninety
and ninth VOW. Indeed it was only
week later when he was specializing it
there was ever happier couple than the
major and his Ellie. And Pete beamed
as he thought Of the ignoble part Bromp-
ton Edwards played on the day of the
fire. -Stella Walthall Belcher in San
Francisco Argonaut.