Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1900-05-11

promise of another day of brazen heat.
From three distinct points assembled
dense columns of smoke already lurid
with flame. Wherever the gaze turned,
there destruction was advancing with
giant strides.
The hillside was now swept bare;
but the fire, having reached a denser
growth, crept insidiously on, defying
all efforts to eXtinguish it. The flames
had already leapt over the road which
divided the hillside from the dark
pinewoods. The tall trees were in the
grip of the fiery foe.
So hot was it that the gentlest
breath of air famed it to fresh flame.
The heavens became hidden by the
thick pail which hung overhead, while
beyond and on every side destruction
ragged. Still, men battled with it brave
ly. Exhausted often with the immense
exertion at fearful heat, they threw
themselves down at full length to
rest for moment and to regain
fresh nerve for the struggle.
Joan West and one or two other
women worked in the rear, beating
out such struggling fires as threat
ened to revive their energy, but still,
as the morning wore on, the outlook
appeared as hopeless as ever.
In one glade the fiery forces seemed
to have concentrated. Down in it's
murky depths it was possible to dis
tinguish several of the figures looking
like the genii of the fire, as they
moved hither and thither in the very
midst. Among them Joan thought
she deserted the well-known form of
Will Larkins, and so sure did she
become of the identity of that sturdy
figure, swaying a mighty bough in
his strong arms, as he beat and beat
at the obstinate flames, that she was
impelled to descend and follow.
If Will should see her, he might bid
her roughly to go back; but she would
chance that. She must follow!
Not far from him the girl distin-
guished another form which she
thought she knew-that of a disrep-
utable charcoal burner, and he
seemed to he approaching Will. That
he bore her lover grudge Joan knew,
for he had been caught poaching on
several occasions, aald the gamekeep-
er had threatened to have him
up"
Above the roaring of the fire came
the sound of their voices in hot dispute,
and Joan hurried over the smoking soil.
Neither of the men had yet perceived
her, for their faces were to the oppo-
site slope.
Suddenly she saw the older man aim
quick and heavy blow with the thick
stick he carried right over Wills head.
1t came with such crushing force that
| the hand it struck was constrained to
drop the bough. VIII staggered back,
| and Joan, uttering cry of pain and
anger, as though she herself had felt
.he force of the blow, hurled her bough
at the cowardly assailant, and darting
forward, threw her arms about her low
er as though to protect him from fur
ther attack.
80, WILL" she sobbed, "are you hurt?"
AT first he seemed inclined to shake
her off.
$50 home, e1-l!" he cried. hoarsely.
But look into her tender eyes. stream
ing with tears, and the wall of separa-
tion between them crumbled to moth
ing.
The charcoal burner cast a curious
| glance at the pair, and then, with a
muttered curse, skunk off and disap-
peared among the smoking trees.
"How come you here, Joan?" asked
Will.
"Why, I've been beating out the fire
along with the rest, most ever since
three this mornin'," she replied, be-
tween laughter and tears.
They looked at each other. He was
black, hot, grimy; nor had her pretty
face escaped. Nevertheless, their lips
met in close kiss. They had owed
each other that kiss for fortnight at
the least.
"I've been brute to you, JOAN" con-
fessed the man.
"I've been fool, know" admitted
the girl.
life amt long enough for quarrcls, >
said he.
"We've lost fortnight's happiness
she replied.
"Il have to go home," said Will
presently, with wNry sigh. 81 car
beat no more; 1 believe my thumb i:
broke" ~
80, poor Will" cried Joan, taking
the manned hand in both her own
"Come, mother will bind it up"
They turned their back on the fire
and left it to take its course.
| ~
but twill burn itself out in time," sait
Will, nodding backwards in the direc
tion from which they had come.
And so it did. BY Sunday the fame!
were all extinguished and heaven
sent rair fell gently, cooling the heat
ed, blackened soil.
viii and Joan walked to church to
gether choosing the road which over
looked the devastated woods. Naugh
| that had been green remained exceD