The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1900-05-10

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 a 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 its
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
VIII Larkins, and so sure did she
become of the identity of that sturdy
figure, swaying mighty bough in
his strong arms, as he beat and beat
at the obstinate flames, that she was
impelled to descend and follow.
If VIII 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 disrep-
utable charcoal burner. and he
seemed to be approaching VIII. That
he bore her lover a grudge Joan knew,
III llC Itlb DCCll JOdNlllS Oh
several occasions, and the gamekeep-
er had threatened to 'haye 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
a 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 a 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
Their attack.
80, WILL" she sobbed, "are you hurt?"
At first he seemed inclined to shake
her off.
$50 home, e,rl." he cried, hoarsely.
But look into her tender eyes stream
ing with tears. and the wall of separa-
ton between them crumbled to moth
ing.
The charcoal burner cast a curious
glance at the pair, and then, with
muttered curse. skunk off and disap-
peared among the smoking trees.
Glow come you here, Joan?" asked
VIII.
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 a 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.
1--WE been fool, 1 know" admitted
the girl.
Life amt long enough for quarrels,"
said he.
We've lost fortnight's happiness,
she replied.
"I'll have to go home,' said viii
presently. with w&ry sigh. 81 can
beat no more: l believe my thumb is
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.
There's fuel beyond there in plenty,
but twill burn itself out in time" said
VIII. nodding backwards in the direc-
ton from which they had come.
And so it did. BY Sunday the flames
were all extinguished and a heaven
sent rain 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. Naught
that had been green remained, except
in small, eccentric patches. The lofty
pines reared their grim heads, with
charred trunks and scorched branches
There was no song of bird, not a chirp
or twitter in this region of widespread
desolation.