The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-06-29
A FIREBUG.

A FlKEBUG.
The light of m August moon WAS stem.
CLING the slight figure OF Miss Hannah
Stoncman against the flap Of u tent on she
stood In observant attitude, q picture of
indecision and anxiety, with tho baroness
of Cripple Creek camp as u fraino. 10
was not TO bs expected that young won,-
an Of tho culture Of Harvard annex would
be wholly at home In the wildncsS of the
Rockies, but IL was not the loneliness Of
the surroundings or the rugged grandeur
Of the peaks that caused unrest. Her brief
season of camp life with sister Ruth's
family wns made stormy with trying
events. Ruth Borden was asleep In the
tent, her little son at her side. She was
worn out with watching for her husbands
return, ard was unnerved by trying to
keep pair of lawlcss men from stealing
the Borden claim.
John Borden never thought OF trouble
when he started for Denver to file claim
for newly found prospect in the United
States land office. He promised to return
In three days.
BE a bravo little woman, Ruth" no
said as he kissed his wife, "and don't let
our tenderfoot sister get out Of sight"--a
remark which Miss Hannah considered
impertinent.
The business of the land office was be-
hind hand, and the days passed into q
week before Borden was able TO leave for
home. It was not the wisest thing to leave
the family undefcnded, he told himself,
but Ruth was self reliant and Hannah
such good company, 20 there was not
much cause for worriment. Besides, 10
was imperative that the legal title be per-
footed.
Mrs. Borden was preparing supper on
the day following her husband 3 departure,
when she was disturbed by seeing two
men going into camp In the ravine. Ap-
parentiy they had not noticed the Borden
tent. The next morning, however, trou-
BILE began with startling promptness. The
strangers made a survey of the ground
abutting the Borden property as preliln-
inary move. Then they told the women
that the wilderness was "no place for pet
ticoats;" that 1t was time to "move to
town.
"This is my husbands claimp' protest
ed Ruth Indignantly, land he will soon
be here to defend his rights!'
II hope not, madam" saroastically said
one Of the intruders, "for that would
mean the beginning II your widowhood.
Pack your duds on one Of our horses and
let US steer you to the railroad, 20 miles
down the gulch. You can sit on q rock,
flag the train and be taken to Florence
dead easy. Take advice and be reasonable.
Our little caravan will move at O'Clock
tomorrow morning" a
Before the ast0nished women could OIL
lect their wits the unweloome visitors
slouched b0ck to the camp In the ravine.
To Ruth Borden the home In the noun
taine held memories moro dear than those
which cluster about temporary abiding
place. Shadowed by dwarfed spruce tree,
close by the tent, was child's grave, a
rough resting place for o precious little
one, but the bosom Of the mountain could
be as kindly natured as the warm valley
and the grass clad plain. Vegetation was
sparse at that altitude. Few flowers grew
on the mound, but the protecting spruce
was evergreen.
It was not strange that the woman was
unnerved by the prospect Of eviction. A
council of war was held with Hannah.
Should John fail to return In day, escape
from being driven away was unlikely.
But Ruth shuddered when she remem-
bered the threat that her husband might
be waylaid. AS the woman walked to the
tent Hannah heard her say, eyes, there is
just one plan which the winchester
rife Vas loaded.
Both women expected to pass sleepless
night. Black clouds obscured the sky, red
dened at intervals by the disturbing flame
OF the insolent strangers campfire. The
women agreed that Ruth should try to get
a little rest, then mount guard in Han
nah's place. In spite of excitement Ruth
fell into deep sleep before midnight.
Hannah endeavored to be brave sentinel,
but before being aware Of II this gentle
tenderfoot dropped on blanket and dozed.
She awoke an hour later, moonlight
streaming In her face, the clouds dissipat-
cd. Hannah reproached herself for lack Of
vigilance, and as punishment determined
not to call Ruth for the remaining part of
the watch.
Wrapping the blanket about her shoul-
ders she stood outside the tent. Tho night
was cold and clear. The unwelcome camp
firo was beginning to flicker, suggesting
crumbling embers. Hannah was no cow
ard. For an hour she busted her brain for
q plan Of deliverance Her quick wit
seemed at fault, with all It's resource fail
Ing to obtain results in such wilderness.
Turning to the camp In the ravine each
detail Of Its arrangement was noted. The
men were wrapped In blankets lying close
to the fire, and nearby the horses were
picketed. Guns and stores had been slowed
away In the tent.
Hannah's thoughts drifted back to her
sister. While watching the tired woman
who had known so much trouble kero-
sene can was spiod In one corner Of the
tent.
1.-THE idea at last Is my courage equal
70 lit" gaspod the girl, breathlcss, turning
lsint with the daring project I'm her mind.
Another look at the sleepcr's distressed
face shot fro into Hannah's veins Pru-
dence flow to the peaks. For half an hour
there was n fight to control nerves. Cool
ness and an inflcxible purpose were neces-
sary for success. And then, maybe, the
rifle might bo tho final resort.
But Ruth must not know Of it. She
was the strong minded one of course, but
this time little Hannah roso superior.
Clouds again gathered, blotching the