Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-05-21

-
glare. and presently cloud OF smoke
drifted above the house, cleaning
white az Ii SCARED into the moonlight
above the shadow Of the roof A lire
had been started, probably by the ex.
pl0sion OF a lamp.
With no thought Of the quarrel, Har-
vey caught up his hat and coat and
dashed out of the house. There was a
short cut across the fields, and he
made for the gap In the hedge through
which he was accustomed TO slip. II
cut half mile OFF the trip to the
house, and he could cover the distance
Ia five minutes. though 1t was steer
climb In places.
As he ran he thought of Thousand
possible accidents. but always Amy
was the central figure in the tabeau
OF horror He could see her wrapped
III flaming OH soaked garments. He
could see the whole house ablaze
Through the explosion of the boiler
that fed the heating system, with
Amy covering at the top OF the blaz
Ing stairway.
Ills active brain devised hundred
horrors as he rushed blindly on. A
clump OF frs cut Off his view OF the
house, and he could see nothing above
the dark shadows OF the grove. 81
The crust was hard and slippery.
More than once he went crashing to his
knees. only to pick himself up and hur-
ry onward. He had almost gained the
htcket Of frs and was climbing
through the last tangle OF brush against
the fence when dainty form emerged
from the shadows and came toward
him.
For an instant his blood chilled as be
thought that this perhaps might be
Amy's ghost. The quarrel had made
deep impression upon his sensitive
imagination, and the idea did not seem
absurd to his overwrought mind. but
as the figure advanced he could see
that this was no creation Of the spirit
but substantial flesh and blood.
Thank God you are safer he cried.
"Are you going for helpY'
Il am going skating, and I don't
need any help, thank you," was the
sancy response, tempered by ripping
laugh.
But the house is on fire. expostu-
lated Harvey.
"Not at oil" declared Amy. "what
gave you that idea r.
She eyed him sharply aud moved
away TIis face was scratched and
bleeding. his hat was titled at most
rakish angle. and his wild look and la
bored breathing testified to his mental
excitement
Il saw the fash OF an explosion and
the glare Of flames. and | hurried to
your relief, explained Harvey.
ssThen You do care" cried Amy, s'in
spite Of what YOU said this after
noon7s
81 had forgotten this afternoon" he
answered simply. II only knew that
you were In danger"
And you came to my aid she said
softly but her voice grew sharper as
she added and did you purpose walt
ing until cried for help and spoke
sirst before you rescued me?''
81 told you that had forgotten
THAT, he said reproachfully Il lid
speak firSt, didn't | n
You did, she admitted, .and FOR
that shall tell YOU what the Gre was.
AZ was 4 combination of dashliglit and
ned Gre q was Teddy trying an tx.
|peNI larnt lor those private theatricals
the laaTs of the school arc getting up
n was Il realistic Ore effect. even to
1he smoke There was too much OF
that. We had NJ open alt the windows,
and' am going out skating 10 keep
warm 4
Ana have Ind all NV excitement
III nQthmggn AZ asked ruefully
81 sAs usual. retorted Amy, just as
told YOU this afternoon. !.
ssI admit Il, said Harvey humbly.
NV 4 rome skating With you?s
V sI'he ice Al free. was the ambiguous
fefily n hate ~ put On my own
skates.
I'm cet lny skates ana be ii tie
loke nv me time you are, was the
joyful response "a Harvey went rush
ilag down the hill again.
4 For y moment Amy leaned against
Az fenea and watched the hurrying
aSare me was very fond 81 Harvey
A splte of his inpe taosity. ana 4 smile
plesed shout her llps ID she slowly
made her NaY toward the lake.