Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-26

7 AIuQSeIN OF Aue prairie IdELlS Win LuO
other. wealth Ito enable her to live
/ wherever she might choose herself and
also give her parents 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 its power of judging
wisely TO control her heart
Toward midnight she was aroused
by a strange pungent smell pervad-
ing her little room. Her breathing
was not quite free. ~-TYhat could it
mean?
She lay for minute dazed. yet with
what sense she could command. trying
to discover the cause Of the odor that
was gaining in strength and sitting
power
Suddenly a great crimson light iIlu-
mined the small window. With a
quick movement Rachel sprang from
bed. and as she did so there came to
her ears the rapid beat OF horse'R
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 firep'
Father. Motherg 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,"
rhn IL
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 Ieaping flames.
Bring the blankets, quickp' 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 It
seemed as If the whole world was ar |
rayed against them, and all the while |
the moon looked down, cold and IN
caring, while the FIRE swept fiercely |
onward until it caught in row of dry !
cornstaIks 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 best back the angry flames.
Even in that terrible situation the /
girl felt a singular strength and cool |
ness in working by Southard's side. |
She felt that the enemy must yield to |
such grand and compelling superior !
ity.
When the fire attacked them from |
another vulnerable point 1t was Dams 1
exhaustIess energy that saved the day. /
By sacrificing 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
for the preservation of these. the old
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.
"Everythings safe now. Rachel" he
said huskily, starting toward his
horse.
Dan" she questioned. a queer chok-
ing in 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.
"AlI 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 I could bear TO
have you leave us. Dan" There was
a tender pleading in her tones.
''The dangers over, Rachel" he re-
assured her. land l must ride all the
way to Westfield before daybreak."
''Why to WestfieldY' she asked
Without a word he pointed across
the blackened prairie toward his
claim.
Only a mass Of smoking ruins mark
ed. the place where his house and
stable had been She understood