Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-05-28
the ewes of many onlookcrs as the sun


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 dcnser
growth, crept insidiously on, defylng
all efforts to extinguish it. The flames
had already lcapt 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 lame
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
". Exhausted often with the immense
exertion at fearful heat, they threw
themselves down at full length 10
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
| tinpuish 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 or
Will Larkins, and so sure did she
become of the identity of that sturdy
figure, swaying "a mighty bough III
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 disrep-
utable charcoal burner, and he
seemed to be approaching Will. That
he bore her lover grudgc Joan knew,
for he had been caught poaching on
several occasions, and 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
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 cry OF pam ana
anger. as though she herself had telt
the force of the blow, hurled her bough
at the cowardly assailant. and daring
forward, threw her arms about her low
err 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.
: go home, grill" he cried, hoarsely
7 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 east curious
: glance at the pair, and then, with
3. muttered curse. skunk off and disap
peared among the smoking trees.
l GLOW come you here, Joan?" asket
). Will.
: 'Why, I've been beating out the fir
along with the rest. most ever sine
S three this mornin'," she replied, be
d tween laughter and tears.
n They looked at each other He wa
r black, hot, grimy; nor had her prett.
!, face escaped. Nevertheless. their lip
r met in close kiss. They had owe
each other that kiss for fortnight a
s the least.
d "I've been brute to you, Joan" cor
fessed the man.
n "I've been fool, know" admitte
the girl.
2, "I.ife amt long enough for quarrels,
e said he.
|, "We've lost a fortnight's happiness,
2, she replied.
l. "I'u have to go home" said Wi
presently, with a weary sigh. u ca
It beat no more; 1 believe my thumb
ID broke"
20. poor Will" cried Joan, takin
ID the manned hand in both her owl
lie "Come, mother will bind it up"
he They turned their back on the iii
and left it to take its course.
IS "There's fuel beyond there in plent,
lie but twill burn itself out in time sal
N Will, nodding backwards in Inc dire
ton from which they had come.
ct And so it did. by Sunday the flame
rt were all extinguishcd and hcave
ne sent rain fell gently, cooling the hca
er ed. blackened soil.
ne Will and Joan walked to church
r. rether, choosing the road which owe
o. looked the devastated woods. Naugl
al that had been green remained. exec
r. in small, eccentric patches. The lof
pines reared their grim heads, vii
ID, charreG trunks and scorched brancht
ce There was no song of bird. not chi
ne or twitter in this region of widespre;
n desolation.
e And yet the very next spring won
M see the tender shoots of green prickil
lie I'M through the dead litter. life rene
as ing itself and covering the bare groun
he green fronds erect like so many fai
err. croziers, and many colored MOSES hi
TO ing all this unsightlincss beneath
IL; lovely mantle. The wood pigeons