The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1904-11-30
from a 3,
Belle
Spark n'''''''


hululueT udA Il HulllSliluu lFuu through
the thickly grown brush that bordered
the country road. Once or twice he
stopped and looked about III appreeia-
ton of the day and the beauty of the
country. Then he lighted cigar, toss
ing the match aside before il Mas eN-
ished from view the half spent mutch
had accomplished Il riNulet ~ fire that
ran merrily through the brush which
skirted the woods.
Mabel Wallace. coming down the old
road, saw the cracking lire
and FASTENED her pace She noted the
quickening breeze blowing toward The
woods and the stretch of dry, parehed
grass aud brush that interviewed. She
knew that if the flames Mere not eXtin-
guished ut once the whole piece of
woods would go. She caught up stout
stick as she ran. and when she reached
the farther end Of the running lire she
began Il vigorous beating.
"Say, teacher. I'll help you" squeaked
n piping voice. which she recognized as
belonging To the boy in the First Read
err class. next To the foot
'Johnny. run down to the first white
house beyond the woods and tell them
to seud help They have a telephone.
Ash them 10 notify all the neighbours
she directed between beats.
Johnny was reluctant to leave bon
fire Of such proportions as this was as
Stunning. but he detected the teacher
in her tones aud concluded TO obey
"fhat's the stuff" she next heard
and looked up TO meet the approval of
the farmer nj whose house she boarded
He procured stick and made an ef
fective onslaught upon the flames.
Presently they were reinforced by
passerhy. and after time the fire was
extInguishel.
You best 20 home and rest spell
counseled her landlord. You look all
bet up and tuelered out"
1T was pretty warm work" she ac-
know lodged, arranging her hair, which
the breeze and her eNertions had tum=
BLEED about her face.
We'll. | tell you what. you lust
saa.e thcm woods. all right. The own.
cf ought II mike you nice present"
Mabel laughed
who Is the owner she asked care
lessly.
Ills name is Max Thornton. He's
young city swell, | heard say"
She had inserted the last hairpin
and now started for home with burned
fuga. aud LliStprpI huudl
Meanwhile Johnny returning from
the white house, heard shot ring out
in the woods
IN git him TO come and help teach
err" he thought as he scurried through
the cool woods uftcr the man behind
the gun
Say. the woods is pretty near on
fire It's mos crep' mp on EN-"
he man laughed good naturedly.
do you think | am in any dnngerf'
The woods is! Teacher sent me for
help. She is heating it ont with II
stick"
IAN right, Come along" And the
man made for the road in long strides,
the boy Keeping pace by II quick trot,
tABltllllB Will lldilA tluDpihli1llS Allf
particulars of the fire.
My Teacher was Jest more than
layin' on IL II with stick | never
sposed she could hit out Ike that"
Hasn't she laid 1t on to you yeti"
laughed the hunter.
NAV She nin't teched one ON MS
yit. bet the boys would behave If
they'd seen her beat that fire"
The hunter was occupied for a mo
ment with eonjuring the image of
"tcacher hlttiu' the fire"
Say, young man. has your teacher
got red hair and does she wear
glassesY'
"Yes How did yer know" he ask
ed curiously.
Il Just felt it,
When the hunter came mp to the
men, he said to the farmer.
Il came to help put out fire, but |
see you have done good work" gazing
at the blaekened ground
I'VE only got here to the tail end OF
It." explained the farmer. The school
teacher got here first. and she 1T IL like
n tiger. Guess some of you hunters
set it on fire"
The hunter, laughed and walked on.
remembering the match, but he felt
no compunctions "A man has the
right to set fire to his own II he wants
to-" he thought Suppose 1t would
he only decent in me to 20 and thank
the schoolma'am. Wonder how ! can
make her substantial token Of graft
tude without offenses'
"IIere. boy he turned and called to
johnny. who fingered near the ruins.
40 you want TO earn a quarterf'
You bet yer bootsr'
"Then take me to your teacher, II rs
not too far
ITS jest down the next road a ways,
and mebby she's stopped in Mt the
school'us down the lane"
ION Saturday," he asked skep.
tically.
"Yes She writes her letters there
They relapsed into silence. johnny
making plans for the investment of
his quarter and the man absorbed IN
thoughts of bitter, cynical trend. A
few months before he had been the
happy. accepted lover of beautiful
girl who was of an old aristocratic
family in moderate circumstances.
Some pessimistic relatives Of his had
intimated that his wealth and not him
self was the object Of her alteration
The little shaft, though resented, ran
killed. and fingered and grew until in II
moment of desperation and i'll judy
ment he sent her letter saying that
his fortune had been swept fv-ay in
the late panic and offering to release
her from the engagement.
IL" waited in suspense for her reply.
which came promptly. She coldly and
briefly agreed that the engagement
should be broken, owing to change Of
circumstances
Wounded through and through, he
went abroad. almlessly wandering from
one place to another, hating all women
for what one had wrought
lie was wondering now as he walk
ed along the dusty highway what had