Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-07-16

contest for Beth Miles favor when tn
rivalry became the subject Of open
comment.
The smoke grew thicker. and the mir
was filed with dying cInders that fell
In crisp flakes Oh their heads In the
distance they could hear hourSc shouts
OF men, the cracking OF burning trees
and underbrush and the barking ~
dogs.
Where the three roads crossed WAS
10 be the battle-ground II The nre
crossed Deep Hollow road the little
gathering of negro cabins was Doomed
The fire was coming toward them now.
and they could see the forms OF men
through the smoke. Strange. fantastic
forms they were. frantically beating
back the encroacbing flames or shovel
ing looscned soil on the creeping fire
that ate along the ground
The group Of cabins was untouched.
but In grave danger The unfortunate
occupants were removing their poor
bits of furniture. and two ramshacklc
carts were being filed with the goods
Old Uncle Peter Green occupied n
chair Of state IN one cart. A tottering
chair II seemed owing to the uneasy
antics OF the frightened mule In the
shafts. Weeping and praying and In
menting. they moved dolorously down
the road along which Beth had Just
come.
"Go down 10 the farm. Judy" she
"a hn ~ ~ 10
group "Rcbecca will take care OF you
I'LL the danger Is over"
Out OF the thick Of smoke man
turned and recognized her; saw her
standing there In her pink cotton dress
dazed by the smoke. Beside her was
Ralph Clinton leaning on an idle SHOW
81. whistlIng soft.y ms he watched the
battle with the approaching flames.
Ben Wyatt lenped into the road and
confronted them. Clad In blue flannel
shirt and corduroy trousers. hatless.
his sun Drowned face and arms black
with SCOT and CRIME. he presented
sorry contrast TO Ralph Clinton. But
somehow Beth's glance caught his
steady gaze and fingered there for
brief instant and she saw nothing 10
despise In Ben Wyatt, homcly farmer
that he outwardly was.
Get back there. Clinton" command
ed Ben angrlIy. Take Beth away
from here. Can't you see it's no place
for woman?"
mind your own business. Wyatt"
retorted Ralph. Get TO work there on
your FOOLS jobr'
There was no time for further argu
ment. The men, who had strung out
In wide semicirclc, were drawing
closer together. They had started n
back fire. and there was danger when
the two fires met that the sudden leap
Of flames might ignite the vegetation
on the blum. II II did the woods were
doomed. But the farmers fought
valiantly. aud little by little the flames
were beaten back from the crossroads
until they smodered down and left
charred and blackened desolation
wherever their blasting fingers had
touched.
Tired ana exhausted. the fire fighters
lay painting in the sand Of the roads.
II was Beth who sent lurking pick
aninny TO call the fugltives home to
the cabins. and II was she who found
a pail and dipper I'm Judy Browns
kitchen and went to the bubbling
spring for water To refresh the tired
men. Before II came Ben Wyatt's
turn to drink from the dlppcr she slip
ped away down the road toward home.
As she passed him Ralph Clinton arose
and followed her
See here. Beth he said disagree
ably. I'D like 10 know what I've done
10 deserve such treatment at your
hands"
Beth turned and surveyed him with
level eyes. III isn't anything you've
done. Ralph" she said quietly. ION
the contrary. It's what you haven't
done. ldon't think You can understand
how feel about II. Ralph. | thought
| cared for you. but | am afraid II
was your appearance | loved after
all. Please forget all about me II yor
can" Beth said contritely
well. seem to have got all that's
coming TO me today" he said iauntily.
"Goodby~
"Goodby" said Beth gently As
she watched him walk slowly away
she felt pang NJ the SCATTERING Of
n cherished illusion. while at the same
time there was n strange. sweet Joy
IN her heart. mingled with fear that
she had dallled with real love and
lost H.
Ralph Clinton turned TO fling back
ward taunt. II suppose you think
Won can whistle Ben Wyatt back.
but you're too late Beth." Theu he
went on and disappeared
The girls face whltened ~ the taunt
aud It's insinuati0n. and with little
strangled sob she leaned against the
friendly trunk Of tree aud hid her
eyes.
Ben wyait's voice behind her star.
tied her 10 bctray tcIltaIc tears on
the thick lashes. Grimy aud scorched.
hatless and taitered and scratched. he
was sorry looking lover. The look