Newport daily independent., 1902-07-15

leaving a stream of sparks and smoke in it's wake.
 Ben wiped away the sweat drops as the stifing air grew hotter, but it was not until the two Jersey cows, with bellows of fright, ran by him in fran tic rush for the great ponds which lay beside the fence at the foot of the upward slope, that he observed that the long, dry grass, infammable as tissue-paper, was wall of flame.
 His heart leapt in his throat. Shay's grave with it's unpaid-for wooden marker was in the rude cemetery on the hill, close by the tulnble-down fence with it's 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 a 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 stinging 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 it's waters of safety.
 After a 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 blis- tered hands and bathed his scorched face-"Dat niggah Lurindy aim wuth no sich 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'! I Igw'ine fahly put dat wench tuh 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 tits splendor untarnished-" "Lurindy, I save it fuh yuht"
 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 bwhnt up," Ben," she quavered, between sobs. "Yuh mout uh died savin' dat piece O wood-en' den da' wouldn' been no use O me Twin! o Ben, aim gwine let dat ole debt stan between me am you no noah! En- Is ready tuh mah'y yuh now-right now-ef dat'Il mek' yeh any happiuh!"
 Ben's eyes widened with hope-in- credulity-joy. 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, "I won be able to wuk fuh yuh, fuh uh long time. En- ain got de house paid fuh yit," he added, weakly.
 "Whut dat mattuh 2" Aunt Jimmy spoke in tone of command. "Shet up dat mouf O youh'n, Ben! Elf Lurindy willin' teck yuh now, don yuh try tuh plst 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 Illuminating his countenance, walked down the road to her cabin, 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, ITS fotch yuh uh new pappy! Breng de cushion cheer, Smyrna Ann, en' Ned, yuh en' Zeky kin teck dis dime an go tuh de stoah en' git some reesins, while Loueezy en' Calline sets de fiah in de stove. We gwine hab reesin cake fuh suppuh. Yo' pappy pow'ful foud O