Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1902-07-12

ed with gray building-stone, tore by,
leaving a stream of sparks and smoke
in its wake.
Ben wiped away the sweat drops as
the sitting air grew hotter, but 1t was
not until the two Jersey cows, with
bellows of fright, ran by him in fran
tic rush for the great ponds which
Law beside the fence at the foot of
the upward slope, that he observed
that the long. dry grass, inflammable
as tissue-paper, was wall of fame.
His heart leapt in his throat. Shay's
grave with its unpaid-for wooden
marker was in the rude cemetery on
the hill, close by the tumble-down
fence with its corners heaped with dry
leaves and dead growth of goldenrod
and Everlasting" If that slab was
burned-good-by to his hopes of Lurin-
da! He threw one quick glance at
the coming firecloud, then looked to-
ward the graveyard on the hilltop.
Could he make it?
Before three seconds were gone he
had dipped himself in the pond. and
with his ragged cap running rivers OF
waters and his dripping coat in his
hand, was running like mad thing
up the road. The hot air burned his
cheeks and took his breath when he
reached Lurinda's mound, but with the
energy of desperation he wrenched the
oak slab loose from it's foundation
block and wrapped his wet coat about
it just as the fire leapt through the
fence and caught the everlastings and
the short grass on Shay's grave.
The singing smoke choked and
blinded him-the scorching flames
licked at his hands. but he clasped his
precious burden hard and stumbled
into the road. Happily dozen hur-
ried steps brought him to the great
pond with its waters Of safety.
After time Ben crept painfully up
the road to his cabin. A gaping crowd
of neighbors came to eXclaim over him
and minister to his needs. Old Aunt
jimmy, Ben's best friend, was loud in
condemnation of his foolhardy feat.
"Lawd. Ben, you is sho' crazy!" she
exclaimed. as she bound up his bis
tered hands and bathed his scorched
face-"Dat niggah Lurindy ain with
no SIGH strivin's ez dis. no way en- no
how! Now some you nigguhs stay
heah en- teck keer O. Ben while / go
fine Lurindy ez fas' ez my ole feet kin
tote me ober de groun'! gw'ine fahly
put dat wench tub shame!"
In the gathering dusk Lurinda, with
withered water-soaked hands and
suds-sprinkled dress. made her way
humbly to Ben's home.
Ben's eyes frightened as the angular
form of his beloved appeared in the
doorway.
"Lurindy," he said. thickly, point
ing with one cottonswathed hand to
the tall slab leaning against his bed
its splendor untarnished-"Lurindy,
I save it fun yuh!"
The tears streamed down Lurinda's
dark face-Aunt jimmy had done her
work well, and the sight of Ben's BAN
daged hands was an added prick to
her conscience.
"Yuh mout uh buhnt up" Ben" she
quavered, between sobs. "Yuh mout
uh died savin' dat piece o. wooden
den da' wouldn' been no use o. me
Twin! o Ben. ain gwine let dat ole
debt stan between me an you no
noah! En- rs ready tub mah'y yuh
now-right novel dat'll mex yeh
any happiuh!"
Ben's eyes widened with hope-in-
credulity-ioy. He looked at the down.
cast face of Lurinda, then at his use
less hands. and opened and shut his
mouth helplessly.
"Why. Lurindy. gal" he stammered
at length, 81 won be able to wuk fun
yuh. fuh uh long time. En- ain got
de house paid fun yit," he added,
weakly.
"Whut dat mattuh?" Aunt jimmy
spoke in a tone of command. "Shet up
dat mouf o. youh'n, Ben! Eff Lurindy
willin' teck yuh now. dom yuh try tub
put huh out'n de notion! Can't some
yuh nigguhs go git de preachuh?" she
asked, turning to the other open.
mouthed guests.
Volunteers were not lacking. and a
little later, Ben, leaning on the arm
of Lurinda, with the light of love and
the fruition of hope illuminati ting his
countenance, walked down the road
to her cabin. A broad shaft of light
from the open door fell on the coal
ash path, and five woody heads were
thrust out to welcome Nanny"
"Chilluns," announced Lurinda,
proudly, as she led Ben in. as fotch
yuh uh new pappy! Breng de cushion
cheer, Smyrna Ann. en- Ned, yuh en-
Zeky kin teck dis dime an go tub de
xw-I.s z