Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-23
CHAPTER K.
The Mill Down Foaming Valley.


After moment they found themselves
by the brook in place where a deep pool
was overhung by limestone ledge. Rose,
struggling with the frantic horse, saw
nothing She was crashing through the
brush just step behind Jim, with only
one impulse. He, too had but one impulse
he would reach the rocks and save her II
he had to tear her hand from the bride
and bear her through the flames In his
arms. She shouldn't perish; she mustn't
perish. He would fight for her till he died.
AS his eye fell upon the pool in the
brook he stopped short II they could
stand in the water to their neclks there
might be a chance. He had heard Of such
escapes. Then something about the ledge
caught his eye
This way" he yelled suddenly. I'VE
can make 1t yet. know where we are"
He turned sharply to the left, his ar still
flying like steel maui.
I'VE can make it-Pomp and ALI" he
shouted over his shoulder. exultantly.
Come oni"
And she came on, though the horse rear
ed and plunged. lifting her from her feet
In the cruel tangle tearing her clothes
and hands and hair. But she chung fast
and kept ever close behind Jim, who was
slashing and stamping and smashing like
they came to the brook again, but at right
angles to its former course.
,Foaming Valley stream" he shouted ius-
tily. Were out Of 1t; we're In Foaming
Valley. and it's high time
He was right; it was high time. Swept
on by the gale, the flames were leaping
like wolves from bush to bush. and scurry-
ing in the dead leaves not two rods behind
minute more and the roaring cauldron
would have been oil about them. but they
mad reached now the mouth of the little
valley at an angle from the fame-swept
funnel.
Here we are in regular turnpiker
he shouted ut can't catch US now. ItlI
run Glow up this valley"
years before had taken the lumber down to
the Cherry Run trail. It was plain sailing
now. But the panic still on them, they
scurried ahead like rabbits.
The valley grew narrower. mat OF
cherry sprouts. all in fuM blossom, and of
raspberry and blackberry tangle, bound In
the road on either side The ties had be-
gun to decay; the iron rails were thick
with rust; and there were places where
foods had quilted widely into the rondbed.
The smoke became less and less dense UNI
I'll It was possible n to see several Several rods IN
the fire and sweeping 1t In the opposite dl-
rection. The valley grew narrower: at
length the ridge sides. steep and ragged.
v with the dinkey road raised on trastle
work at one side. They passed through
with difficulty.
We're ali right now he announced
cheerily. ''The fire might back UP as far
as the Narrows here. but 1t can't jump
through"
Yes but we're in trap" She was look
ing about her critically
II don't think there IL any outlet to this
valley" he said slowly. We could get
over the ridge there but Pomp couldn't
know where we are ROW. We were up
this way fishing last summer. and caught
a twaive-lnch trout under the rock at the
entrance down there. That's why knew
where we were the minute saw It.
THAT was q close call. Mr.. Farthfng-an
awfuMy close call. She was looking
down at him with solemn eyes. don't
think we had over a minutes margin. =
ut did look close there one time, didn't
ft?-at least for Poulp3
YES and for rs. too" She drew q long
breath "WaH. never mind: we got OUT !"
She was not girl to dwell on morbid
things. II was not her way to shtsdder and
live over and over tho past dRu8er.
But we are not out Of the woods, though.
yet" she went on. looking up ct tbs steep
ridges on both sides I've heard Of this
valley; It's fathers: but I don't know
much about It. II We could only get Pomp
over that ridge. / know path all right.
Spose We could get him over Z.
No: don't The only way sea Il to
leave him here = day Of tsso ana climb out
ourselves. r
saArk. WhAfs thAt f-ths nre7,' she