Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1910-03-09

drudSery or the prairie farm; with the
other. wealth to enable her to live
wherever she might choose herself and
also give her parents a comfortable
home.
But which of the men held the key
to her heart?
Really she could not tell. but she grew
drowsy making herself believe she
would be able in any event to compel
her mind with it's power of judging
wisely to control her heart
Toward midnight she was aroused
by strange pungent smell pervad-
ing her little room. Her breathing
was not quite free. What could it
mean?
She lay for a minute dazed. yet with
to discover the cause of the odor that
was gaining in strength and sitting
power.
Suddenly a great crimson light flu
mined the small window With
quick movement Rachel sprang from
bed, and as she did so there came to
her ears the rapid beat of horses
hoofs on the prairie road.
Then she heard Dams voice bur-
dened with awful import.
Rachel he called. Mr. Winton.
Get up. Get up quick! The prairie is
on firev'
Father. Motherv' the girl called,
running to their bed. Get up! Do
you hear? There is a big fire. Yes.
DAN" she called from the window as
she helped her mother to dress.
There's not a minute to lose,"
Southland called back. 1.-The fire is
sweeping this way as fast as a strong
wind can bring it."
There had been no rain for three
weeks. and everything was dry as tin
der.
The Wintons understood the terrible
danger impending.
Not only the cabin, but stock, crops.
even they themselves. were at the
mercy of those leaping flames.
Bring the blankets, quickv' shouted
Southland. Obeying him instantly.
Rachel dragged every blanket out of
the house.
Dan had ridden his horse to the lit
tie spring in the hollow and was rap
idly filling every pail he had been
| able to find about the place.
Acting under his directions, the girl
| mounted her fathers pony, and she
| and Dan carried water for Mr.. and
Mrs. Winton to wet the blankets. this
| being their only means of fighting the
| fire.
How they worked and fought! 1t
seemed as if the whole world was ar
rayed against them, and all the while
the moon looked down. cold and un-
caring, while the fire swept fiercely
onward until it caught in a row of dry
cornstalks that reached nearly to the
cabin. Here the battle must be fought
with renewed energy.
The smoke of the burning grass and
grain assailed their nostrils, scorched
their threats and blinded their eyes,
but with hands torn and blistered
they toiled on.
When the old couple fell back over
come Dan and Rachel took their
places with the heavy wet blankets
and worked side by side. Inch by inch
they beat back the angry flames.
Even in that terrible situation the
girl felt a singular strength and cool
ness in working by Southards side.
She felt that the enemy must yield to
such grand and compelling superior
| ity.
When the fire attacked them from
another vulnerable point it was Dams
exhaustless energy that saved the day.
By sacrificing a patch of ripe grain,
through a prompt back fire. the foe
was met and made to recoil in wrath
| full flames upon itself.
After a time the great body of the
fire swept away northward, having
consumed everything Of the Wintons'
except cabin and stock.
With a thankfulness in their hearts
couple entered the house and threw
themselves upon the floor.
Then Southland and Rachel came
back with weary. tagging feet from
their last successful onslaught.
"Everything's safe now, Rachel" he
said huslily, starting toward his
| horse.
Dan" she questioned. queer chok-
ing III her throat. you are not going
| now
He stopped and looked at her. She
had never appeared more beautiful to
him than now. with the marks of that
great fire battle upon her face and
tattered dress.
"All we have left we owe to you.
| Dan," she went on, noting his scorched
face, bleeding hands and burned cloth.
ing.
Then she placed her blackened hand
on his shoulder. How he trembled
under that touch.
81 don't feel as if could bear to
have you leave US. DAN" There was
tender pleading in her tones.
"The dangers over, Rachel he re
assured her. land must ride all the
wav tO Wnctfiol6 before 6aVhrpak',