Putnam patriot., 1910-08-26


 The sunday dinner was over. and Rebecca was washing dishes in the big kisshea. Henry Miles and his wife came out dressed in their best clothes and got into the waiting buggy Ever t. since they had been married twenty five years before the Sunday afternoon ride had been Il regular proceeding.
 Their daughter Beth waved them farewell as they drove out of the big gate.
 Beth looked anxiously away teward The woods that bordered the distant wbeaftields. Behind them rose a pale gra4 cloud now and then feekea by avfHZ einiers Rain had not fallen for several weeks. and the woods were like eHder. and the paths were thickly '. f7srf5eted with dry leaves fallen from ia> 5ear.
 Tae Kitchen windows faced the VE9atIIeIds. and Rebecca red face Ras pressed anxiously to the pane. Ttza she SAW Beth and came to the da5f
 "The woods are ahre, Miss Beth. :" she said exeitedly. Your pas wheat aiH be done for if the wind don't ebaaee pretty soon."
 TAe wheatfieid was an undulating sen of pale green blades six inches hl2a The dry weather had slightly nalshed the tips, and Beth bent down
 ,4,. fao green to be affected by the fire even if it should reach the fields When she looked up again several men Were running across the field One of them saw her paused and turned back.
 Slowly she walked through the wheat her light tread scarcely crush Ing ne young shoots. Her fair cheeks t#8k on the rose tint of early dawn, and her blue eyes were yelled under q thick fringe of lashes. The man watched her coming toward him. his handsome eyes drinking in her fresh. spriag-4ike beauty. Her pink gown fell softly about her slender form as the green wheat rippled about her feet
 Al last Beth lifted her shy eyes and saw his good looking face with its reckless. smiling lips-saw the immaculate whiteness of his cellar and cuffs and the trim Deatness of his handsome clothes. He carried his coat on his arm and slipped into it as she came up with him. They had smiled greeting into each others eyes, and their first words were eom- menplaee enough.
 "The woods are afre." said Ralph : Clinton. -.Ison't you want to go along ana see the fun. Bethe-
 A look pf disappointment 'cFept into : the girls face. Aren't yeu going to fight it. Ralps?. she asked.
 The young man langbed good na- ituredly. ..dt Asn't necessary. There are half a ,hGndred trying to XII it with sand or back fire but its got ; loo big a headway Besides the wind is strong fran the southwest. and nothing can stop 1t until il dies out for want of sossethins to burn
 Where is it now. Ralphg esues- toned Beth qusssly.
 ~Gut in Deep Hollow woodS--a spsrk from The railroad started the blaze and away sEe went. There were five niies burned. over at wsynenille yeSteislay.,'
 Deep Hollow woods belong to ny father He ownss-xight through to the farm. bere It meaas a serious loss lto him." said Beth.
 Its teo bad Betp. but nothing car save it. 50 there's aao use in worry ing returned halph cares~ssiy- Come. Let us go and see the fun The woods are great al this time. you know. Perhaps you,may find a moe ,easin flower
 Wait moment" said Beth. and she turned and with flying feet re- crossed the lhe,d to tbs barn. When She returpei abe carrisal shovel i1 ena hand.
 "Therew she panted. shrusting tb~ u-ensil into sAis unwrI ling grasp Take that along. Ralph. ] n ashamed To have you appear there unprepared to l- II the fire"
 Not in these eclothes-n@t on your hfe" leJaculated Mr. cliua9n lnele- santiy sIll carry the shoyei for the ia65s If the fhins but if 1 fight a forest fire il will te by proxy some If the negroes fron the hoisew Will he smoked out and glad Of job To ta1e my place for consideration eh:"
 Those. poor negroeS'' cried Beth. disreeardine his selfish speech. ''l for s9t all about them. Their little h@snes wiii be ruined. Let Us hurry kalph. gn spite of your joking l am sure Sau ss-e going to help ln a tims of need lAs gtis."
 Without further barley Ralph helped Beth over the feHce and lnfo q wood .ane path. through which they hurried et a greater speed than the young man fancied. Given tbis time and oPper- unity. he felt that the Aprn woods were ag ideal spot is which 70 asA Beth the momento1is question ffi1f haa teen lowering on his fis for wsekS. He was stsite sure of her answer Tor she had shown her preference fer eaih during the issst winter. and bis eAese nes. and wit had quite fhrswn b-r Wyatt into the shade-raw. country humekin that Ben was.
 Raiph's lips e,Eied in little suiils ct ccnsempt as he thought of the rivsi who had quietly withdrawn from me contest fof Beth Miles favor wneh rue rivairy became the subject Of open comment
 The smoke grew thicker. ana the hi. was flied with flying cinders that Ten