The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-03-05

| uldue dnOUner- solemn vow 10 desert the
ranch. 1t was the INDEPENDENTLY
time that he had done so, and this tine
he sealed the vow with an oath.
The long grass on the Napa hills
was burned and crisp, and Ellie was
daubing yellow ochre and burnt lumber
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,
end she was INDUCING in very foolish
day dream. To do the little woman
Justice, she was not in love with Bromr-
ton, but her vanity had been stimulated
to such wonderful activity by his
youthful gallantries that she fancicd
he was deeply infatuated with her. She
wondered if he would ever tell her that
he loved her. If she could only have
some test of his love, what a satisfac-
ton it would bel
Over on the mountain side, 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 a few
minutes the gentle breeze would cause
a 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 sullking 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
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 a 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
her presence of mind, but remembered
a small plowed field a short distance
away, where the flames could not
reach her, and ran nimbly down the
hill, with her futtering 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 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 dam
ger and had come to her rescue. ~
deep blush mounted to her cheeks and
her heart beat to suffocation. But he
did not seem to see her. twas 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, l am here, safe."
The fire was very close, and she had
to throw herself flat upon the ground
to escape being burned. She gave ono
more despairing cry as she felt the hot
breath scorch her clothing:
"Brompton! Brompton! Brompton!"
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 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
bounding over the blackened earth to-
ward her. His duck trousers were
sneared with SCOT, and he had a wet
blanket about his shoulders. He could
not speak, but caught Ellie in his arms
and burst into stifed sobs.
Back of them was heard the voice
of Brompton Edwards.
Hello, there, major" he called; ST
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'tyou? Your
wife was safe enough. 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.
We'll, WE'LL" gasped Pete, Who had
stumbled up the hill with bundle of
wet sacks. Il never was so plaguey
scared in my life. Thought you'd be
burned sure, Miss Ellie. Me an the
major'll have a fine time next week
clearing"
For Pete had reconsidered his ninety
and-ninth vow. Indeed it was only a
week later when he was specializing
if there was ever happier couple than
the major and his Ellie. And Pete
beamed as he thought of the ignoble
- I L. i - -.