The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-01-28
Out of the Fire
By JOSEPHINE r. MARTIN.
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CTeDt nGuTbI anu itoiti hhN iNhsc
clearing where Bunt Doble's cabin
stood. away back toward Cat Noun
tain. The sky was lit each night by
the sickening glare, the air was full
of smoke, and terrified and strange
birds flew wildly about.
Sometimes the smoke stifled them,
then as the wind shifted for little
while they breathed easier but still
the great army of flames marched
steadily onward while overhead
blazed n relentless sun In a cloud
less sky. with no promise of rain to
end the dreadful destruction
Pears like we amt goin' ter hev
no more rain. / guess It's the end
of all things a comm slowly re-
marked Bunt Doble, and Lora wear
ily assented. To Lora 1t did not seem
to matter much; she looked out on
life with beautiful. tired eyes. Forced
into an early and unwilling marriage
with Bunt Doble, by her French
Canadian father (who owed Bunt
money. and thought that was the
best way of paying his debit, she
rebelled against fate with all the
strength of her beautiful young wo-
manhood She hated the little clear
ing. thick set with tangled shrub
berry; she hated the thick forest, and
the mountains farther away that
seemed to shut out all that was
great and good in the big world be-
yond; she hated more than all Bunt
Doble, gaunt and gray, with an ugly
leer in his green eyes, and fierce
set of his lean Jaw and sometimes
she even hated herself. her own
beautiful face and perfectly formed
womanhood.
Bunt Doble, outlaw. and the terror
of all game wardens the country
through, was certainly no fit mate for
the beautiful wild creature who was
bound to him for life; and Lora was
afraid of him. SO afraid that she
pailed before the leer in his eyes
and the firm set Of his hateful mouth.
All this day they had fought the
fire. with their few bits Of household
goods packed In readiness for fight,
but at night the wind had shifted and
the gentle patter of rain on the
leaves brought the belief that the
worst was over. Bunt wearied be-
yond endurance drank deeply. and
threw himself down In stupid sleep.
but Lora crept out to the edge of the
clearing to cool her hot face in the
water of the brook. As she plunged
her wrists deep in the GOODNESS. q
whisper startled her. and dark.
handsome face peered out Of the
bushes. "It's only Peter. Lora." he
whispered. Pete Carson. the young
guide, who had loved Lora long and
hopelessly and Lora loved him. too,
but would not acknowledge 1t. for
was she not bound to Bunt?
II only wanted to make sure you
was all right. Lora; that brute will
kill you yet. and I'm always fearful.
wish could take you away. Lora."
Pete's voice was full of feeling.
Don't. Pete" she half sobbed.
I'm his wife. you know. and I'd
ought not be here talking with you.
but, oh. Pete. wish could die"
She sobbed softly and Pete watched
ner, MS 1ace 1ull OF misery.
III you want me. Lora, III be
near" he said gently. "You can
call; I'm never far away; / guess the
worst is over. but come to me II
you want me. l must CO." and with
reassuring grasp of her hand he
went silently away. 1t was after
midnight when Lora awoke with the
sensation of smothering. She sprang
up and rushed out of the cabin, fight
Ing her way through the smoke; the
wind had shifted again and the fire
was creeping up closer, the cracking
of the boughs sounded like the firing
Of musketry, the heat was unbear-
time to lose, already the brands.
glowing red. were falling in to the
clearing.
Lora rushed back to the cabin.
Bunk" she cried, wake up, the
fire is upon us. but Bunk deep in
drunken slumber was not so easily
aroused. A feeling of frenzy arose
In her heart, Lie there" she cried.
Lie there and burn; it'll be the best
nights work the fire has yet done.
Hastily snatching few things she
rushed out and plunged into the
thicket toward the road leading to
Pete's cabin. But even as she flew
onward, remorse few more quickly
and overlook her; with groan she
stopped and wrung her hands. II
can't do it," she moaned. Il know
he's brute. but I'd feel like a MUIR
deress. / must not leave him So"
Back through the underbrush she
plunged again, her eyes smoke blind
ed; the trees were falling every
where with crash and roar. while
overhead the stars shone mockingly
In the clear rainless sky.
Lora had almost reached the clear
Ing when she stumbled over the body
of man. "Get ND Bunt," she cried