Democratic messenger., 1910-03-05

sisiently for the past year.
Life with one meant the unceasing
drudgery Of the prairie farm; with the
other. wealth 20 enable her 10 live
wherever she might choose herself and
also give her parents a comfortable
home.
But which OF the men held the key
tp her hearth
Really she could not tell. but she grew
drowsy making herself believe she
would be able In any event 10 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 1t
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 illu-
mined the small window. With a
quick movement Rachel sprang from
bed. aud as she did so there came 10
her ears the rapid beat OF a horses
hoofs on the prairie road.
Then she heard Dams voice bur
dencd with awful import.
RACHEL" he called. "Mr. winton!
Get up Get up quick! The prairie is
on fire.'
Father. Mother!' the girl called.
running to their bed. Get up. DO
you hear? There is big fire. Yes.
Dan" she called from the window as
she helped her mother 10 dress.
"Therc's not n minute to lose.'
Southard called back. "The fire Is
sweeping tbs way as fast as a strong
wind can bring IL"
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. quickw shouted
Southard. 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! II
seemed as IL 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 II caught In 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 assai,ed their nostrils. scorched
their throats and blinded their eyes.
but with hands torn and blistered
they foiled on.
When the old couple fell back over
come Dan and Rachel took thei'
places with the heavy wet blankets
and worked side by side. Inch by inch
they beat lack the angry flames.
Even In that terrible situation the
girl felt singular strength and cool.
ness in working 10y Southard's sid"
She felt that the enemy must yield ta
such grand and compelling superior.
ity.
When the fire attacked them from
another vulnerable point 1t was Dams
exhaustlcss energy that saved the day
BY sacrificing patch of ripe grain,
through prompt back fire, the fee
was met and made TO recoil In wrath.
ful flames upon itself
After time the great body of the
fire swept away northward. having
consumed everything of the Wintons
except cabin and stock.
With thankfulness in their hearts
for the preservation OF these, the old
couple entered the house and threw
themselves upon the floor.
Then Southard and Rachel came
back with weary. tagging feet from
their last successful onslaught.
"Everything's safe now. Rachel he
said huskily. starting toward his
horse.
Dan" she questioned. n queer chok
Ing In her throat. you are not going
nowT
lie 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 II could bear 10
have you leave us. Dan" There was
n tender pleading In her tones.