Smyrna times., 1911-01-18

Isl" with one meant the unrCaSlfI
drudgery of the prairie farm: with tn,
other. wealth to enable her to live /.
Wherever SHE might choose herself auG ,
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 he able in any event to conpei
her mind with its power of judgin.
wisely to control her heart
Toward midnight She was aroused
by strange pun2ent smell pprvad-
ing her little room Her brcathing
WAS not quite free. What could it
mean:
She lay for Il 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 great crimson light illu
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 a horse's
hOOfs on the prairie road
Then she heard Dams voice bur
dened with awful import.
"Rachel! he called MIR. 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 Il big fire Yes
Dan" she called from the window as
she helped her mother to dress.
There's not a minute to lose"
Southard called back. 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, quick 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 urder his directions, the girl
mounted her fathers pony, and sh"
and Dan carried water for Mr. all"
Mrs. Wint' l to wet the blankets. this
being their only means of fighting the
fire.
How they worked and fought! II
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 tht
cabin. Here the battle must be fough'
with renewed energy.
The smoke of the burning grass am
grain assaiied their nostrilS. scOrchC(
their throats and blinded their eyes
but with hands torn and blistereG
they toiled on.
When the old couple fell back over
come Dan and Rachel took thei
places with the heavy wet blanket.
| anu NOlhGd SldC Oy olNC. lnCn ny AllN
!, they beat back the angry flames.
Even in that terrible situation tn,
girl felt a singular strength and cool
ness in working by Southard's side
She felt that the enemy must yield t
such grand and compelling superior
ity
When the fire attacked them from
another vulnerable point it was Dan
a., eXhaustless energy that saved the day
BY sacrificing patch of ripe grain
through prompt back fire. the fo
was met and made to recOil in wrath
full flames upon itself.
After a time the great body of ;h
fire swept away northward. havin|
consumed everything of the Wintons
!. except cabin and stock.
With a thankfuneSs in their heart
for the preservation of these. the oil
!. couple entered the house and threv
L themselves upon the floor
Then Southard and Rachel cam
4 back with weary, tagging feet fror
/ their last successful onslaught.
/ "Everythirg's safe now. Rachel" h
: said huskily, starting toward hi
II horse.
Dan" she questioned. queer choI
It ing in her throat, you are not goin
e nowT
y He stopped and looked at her. Sh
y had never appeared more beautiful t
Y him than now. with the marks of tina
1t great fire battle upon her face an
tattered dress.
n "All we have left we owe to yoI
D. Dam" she went on, noting his scorche
S face bleeding hands and burned clotl
ing.
III Then she placed her blackened han
d on his shoulder. How he tremble
n. under that touch.
IL 81 don't feel as if l could bear I
IN have you leave us, Dan" There VIZ
a tender pleading in her tones.
in ''The dangers over. Rachel" he r
or | assured her land | must ride all II