Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-19

broke for cover. But I'm a-goin' ter the
cave. See theri"
Looming up above the horizon was a ter
ribie shape, more dreaded by the prairie
jewellers than the plague; a huge, greenish-
black funnel-formI cloud hanging point
down like great balloon partly overturned
and with claw-like anchors dragging the
earth beneath, leaving death and desola-
ton in it's wake
The sitting air was deadly still, not leaf
stirred, not q bird peeped; the doves had
the oncom1ng storm with fear in their gem
tie eyes. The silver Innings of the poplar
leaVes gr1nned, -side-out like a men
zee of disaster
The colts and cows out in the pasture
stampeded, believing and neighing for
shelter, as the wind broke with dull roar
about the now frightened laborers. Aban-
doning the squealing horses, maddened and
snorting with terror, the men made a wild
rush for the cyclone cave.
Old Zeb ran shouting to the house whose
quiet occupants were unaware of the dan
ger that menaced them
Phllury! he yelled, tearing through the
house, shutting doors and windows .Cv-
clones comin'-quick, git yer mother up
an III carry Naph-hurry, fer Gods sake,'
Inc girl started up from the oven door.
where she was trying the cake with a
broomstraw, and turned white Rut she
was prairie bred and used to this terrible
storm fright. After one fearful glance ont
of the south window, she hastily shut off
the stove hampers and drafts to prevent
fire disaster, If possible: then running nm
stairs to her mothers room. She threw a
shawl about the invalid's thin shoulders
and. half-supporting, half carrying her, fled
to the cave whose slanting trap door the
threshers held open for them
An instant later old Zeb came stumbling
down the cave steps. carrying the sick lad,
and followed by a muffied roar from the
stealthy. low-crouching Storm Beast with
the fame-darting eyes
iar
the boy down on the cement floor and felt
wildly in his breast pocket, I've lost tibet
pocket book on tn way! An 1t he'd over a
thousan' dollars in it!'' He walled, his
side
Philury pushed open the door a crack
and peeped out. gust Of wind slammed
1t down again in her face.
Il see 1t, pa-a-lyin' on the porch-I'l1 get
it"' she cried. And before any one conld
restrain her she had shouldered through
the trapdoor and sped like a deer toward
the house.
The howl of the storm burst above like
baffled beast of prey as the cvclona brore
in all its mighty fury upon the land. Great
trees snapped like pipestems in its giant
grasp, whole house walls sailed by over
head, a flock of squawkng hens went over
as securely held In the teeth of the wind as
II In the claws Of fleeing tiger, a sheen
was picked up bodily from a neiphborinp
held, the roof of the porch lifted off like
hat from above Philury's devoted head
as she stopped for the lost pocket book and
turned back toward the cave The smoke
house crumbled and went up like a mack Of
cards in her path. ~
Run! Phlury-runr shouted the mon
IN frenzy as they watched, expecting
every instant to see her gathered to The
cruel bosom of the storm.
she reached the cave; another step and
she would be safe. The door opened low
fully to receive her. But an instant is time
enough for things to happen. Just as the
little, flying foot was planted on the tor
step great scantling from the demolished
barn struck the door, and she fell beneath
H. plunging white and unconscious into her
fathers waiting arms.
20 God" he whispered over and over
again. as ne bent with twitching lips above
the still, limp, little form of his first born
20 God!' WI L.
But she was only stunned and soon re.
viVed under the dash Of cold water from
the tubs where the milk was kept cool She
sat up weakly after awhile with a pale little
smile and brave "Pll soon be all right
daddy"
The old man looked at the great nurn,e
oruise On her tender temple and took off
his battered hat.
Let us thank the Lord fer His marciesr
ne said. bowling his gray head. And they
all kneH In the half darkness Of the cave
while, the lightning fickered through the
cracks In the door and the rain fell in a
deluge outside.
when they emerged. pale and quiet and
thankful, scene of desolation greeted
their eyes. The house was unframed, save
Tor the unroofed veranda, but the out.
houses-barn, hencoop, smolehouse, cattle
sne~ and granartes-were as though they