The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1909-07-09

prOwii.g On the outskirts on which
one must keep a VigiIant eye Watch
1 ing the smoke from his tiny porch as
night began 10 fall, Roger saw 1t shift
TO the southwark and suddenly recall
ed that thar way lay the little Lac
Garou where old Manon. the half
crazy ward Of the village, lived per-
vergely alone in a little cabin two or
three miles from Ange-La-Baie. Gasp
ing his stick, he set of at a rapid pace,
Representing himself that he had not
thought Of her sooner. Jean Bourclffer
her special protector had gone down
the river for the day; and Toinette,
whose tender care for the forlorn old
woman had lot escaped him, would
be anxious. he knew.
As lie entered the path that gave
the shortest cut to the pond, he saw
tia. fbs fire was racing with him. In
the g.oom Of the forest it showed
plainly, a thread of rosy light from
which sprang at intervals sharp, sword
like tongues of fame that leaped for
Trard before the wind. He FASTENED
his pace to run, rejoicing in his
strength, and in shorter time thar
ae had thought possible a little rise
gave him a glimpse of the cabin; it
was lighted by a lurid glow and flames
were darting from the roof. Bending
close to the earth, he crashed through
the underbrush, following the sound of
voices that rose above the cracking
of branches, and emerged upon q lit
tie clearing.
Toinette On her knees. her arms
locked about the old woman's wiry.
writhing form. was struggling 10 hold
her back. Come with me, ma mere,
come with mel she urged in eager,
coa1ing tones; but Manon struck at
her bltndly with shrill cries of anger
and strained fercely towar dthe burn
ing cabin on which her eyes were fixed
The girl gave a deep sigh Of relief and
let her tired arms fall as her burden
was taken from her.
The fire was closing in; there YVES
plainly but one way of escape open 10
them-tfe pond-and in order to reach
it now they much make wide detouF.
,Toinette, familiar with the forest, led
the way fearlessly and Roger followed,
holding Manon in his arms A raft
moored to the bank was quickly
locsed and pushed out into the cool
darkness that still brooded over the
little lake. The flames were racing
around the shores as if to circle them
with a wall of fire
They were not alone on the pone;
other panic-stricken creatures had taI-
en- refuge there also. Foxes, coors.
squirrels and chipmunks had gc..-Serff
IN the shore, crawling far out on tie
overhanging branches that dipped in
to the floor, and clinging there until
the pursuing flames forced them into
the pond.
We shall be like Noah" said the
young man. smiling, and Toinette
smiled back at him. They were very
tired and drenched TO the skin;
broad, red mark across the mans
cheek and temple showed where a fly.
ing brand had struck
For long time they did not SPEAK,
and when at last Toinette, vaguely OPP
pressed, lifted her lids she dropped
they again before the ardor Of his eyes.
To return to the village by skirtinG
the line of the fire seemed impossible.
the way would be long, and it was
plain that old Manon, who was still
bent upon returning to her cabin,
would have TO be carried by main
force. Steadily creeping forward, they
had almost escaped from the ruined
forest, when suddenly voices rang out
in the silence, unbroken since Manon
had ceased her wailing.
TT is my father" said Toinette, lis
teniRg: they are searching for us"
Jean Bourchier reached them first Of
all, pushing through the underbrush.
I'VE should have died, Manon and
l, without him." Toinette whispered
in her fathers ear, as he took her
in his arms
"Cest bien. ma file. tha's hall right"
he faltered, and turning TO Roger he
would have caught his hand, but the
young man drew back
ITEMS! La jeunessei 1t must always
have its way" Jean brought out at
last in his deep, signing voice. and
lifting his daughters hand. he placed
it in Rogers and clasped his own
above it, folding them both in his
strong grasp.-The Delineator.