The Delta independent., 1907-01-18
A CLOUD OF SMOKE
BY K. c. PITZER

81 think I'll get somebody out of
town tonight" Grafton said. "And
the boys will help me. too"
He was interrupted by distant
shouting at the far end of the street,
accompanied by loud laughter. Run.
ming men appeared, and q mocking
cheer was raised.
Grafton started toward the trouble,
but Stanwood caught and whifled
him in the opposite direction.
Look" he shouted, there's a cloud
of smoke about Mrs. Cree's house.
It's riot! They've fired the house!
They're trying to kill Madge. They
may have dynamite there!"
Grafton gave one glance, jerked his
arm away, and raced up the street. A
few women and children were gath
ering at the gate. and man was
running with pail. But most OF the
male population was evidently at the
disturbance at the other end OF town.
for the distant laughter and cheering
tioated up the narrow valley. Mrs.
Cree stood on the porch. wringing her
hands.
Where is she?" Grafton roared.
Upstairs" Mrs. Cree sobbed. "in
the chimbley. Oh, do something. Jim.
mie. 1t may get dangerous"
Grafton dashed past. went up the
stairway three steps at a time. and
ran down the hall to Madge's room.
The door was shut, but a blow from
his foot sent 1t back wiIa crash.
and he tumbled into the room. Madge
was standing before an old-fashioned
bureau. She turned with cry uf
rassed silence when she recognized
the intruder.
Go away" she said. quickly re-
gaining her composure. What do
you mean"
Grafton did not stop to explain. He
caught the girl in his arms. and lifted
her from the floor. She screamed
loudly and struggled to escape. but
ne turned and ran into the hall.
Let me be-" Madge cried. Put
me down! Oh. help! help. He's
crazy"
Grafton half jumped and half fell
down the stairway. and ran out upon
the lawn with his burden. Madge
screamed again.
Help! help" she cried.
You're safe" Grafton murmured.
as he set her on her feet.
Stanwood came up. putting and
breathless. and gave his daughter n
enraptured hug. One hand came free
over her shoulder. and he caught
Grafton's arm.
Il can-never thank you enough"
he gasped. You've saved her life.
Daughter. the house-fre-dynam
no doubt. The strikers-assassina
ton, Grafton saved your life!"
Madge turned. round-eyed. You"
she exclaimed. Il was In danger
oh. Mr.. Grafton-Jim, thought you
were insane! A fire? Dynamite!
oh. JIM"
Grafton felt lightning shock
strike him: she was in his arms
Looking up in an ecstasy OF wonder
ing JOY he met Mrs. Cree's eye. The
widow stood staring. and on the In.
stand burst into loud laughter. Some
no" tne Smoke overhead nau ulfnln
ished. and the noise OF the distant
mob had stopped.
A grimy-faced man came out OF
Mrs. Cree's boarding house. she wa.
pretty neat blaze" he remarked,
"and made a most amazin' smoke fol
just chimney"
"What!" Stanwood cried: "A chin
ney? Wasn't the house on firc?'
But Red Cassidy and Hagc
George?" Grafton gasped. "Didn',
they set IT."
A newcomer advanced from the
gathering crowd. We've Just go,
done runnin 'em out o. town." he
said. They're hikin' for the plainz
by now"
Il thought they were trying to kill
you" Grafton said. brokenly. to
Madge. Il thought you were In dan.
ger"
Il was." she whispered. as she took
his arm and looked up with trem.
bling smile. II was In danger OF
losing you"