Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-28

What's this. Ed? Why can't these
people get IMP Jed, with David at his
heels, inquired of the proprietor
Wei. they got foolish and gave their
team to Mikes wife and the kids. Mike S
horses are laid up-been sick week.
The missus and the kids We're crazy with
the idea of being left to burn. Mike
phoned about three hours ago that he
would start off the wife and kids with
the team. Him and the girls and the
two old men are going TO try and make
it on foot until we can pick them up.
David swore Softly.
why didn't they put the girl on the
wagon: There must have been room for
her. said Jed, thoughtfully.
There was, but she wouldn't leave her
old man. Said the misSus and Kids would
have a better chance If the load was
light Fine girl, whoever she is. Tried
TO call up Just now. but the lines down.
Soon as can get the big team OF grays
In we're going after them.
Great Scott man." roared David.
they'll be burned to cinders before you
can get out there with the grays. Why
didn't you phone Lyndon Tor the auto
by gosh, L never thought gasped the
hotel keeper. That would
But Jed and David had bolted before
the sentence was finished. F'ranticaliy
they called central. Yes, Lyndon was
home; the car would be down IN min
uJe,' was the reply
The two men paced up and down in
front of the hotel. Even now they could
smile the acrid odor Of burning wood,
and in the west the setting sun was
molten blur.
You got your wish David, said Jed
Yes, feel like a murderer That wish
came home To roost i'll hurry
And then the big touring car swung
around the corner. Lyndon stepped out
and with a short nod of thanks the two
men jumped in, David driving.
Houses before which wide-eyed emil
dren played, scudded ny; telephone poles
did bumpy ragtime march as they scat-
tied past They left the town and struck
the wide state road.
Let her out shrieked Jed. Even as
he spoke the car, pulsing and tirohbing,
leaped forward like a. live thing The air
grew sitting with smoke. Five lnrles out
they passed Mikes wife and children
The horses we're almost spent. saiiopns
if-heartedly.
Keep out. Well pick you up on the
way back shouted Jed as the car tore
by
The smoke was biting their eyes. Al
about the forest folk We're rushing ahead
OF the fire, \ terrified fox scuttled by.
Fine sifty ashes fiuttered down and coy
cred them and = hot breath like the wind
from n desert struck them in the face
We must be getting nearer David
shouted.
\ quarter Of a mile and they swung o.
the state road into the road TO the carp.
My Cod! burst from Jed bps. BE-
fore them was mile OF clearing ahd
back OF that the great forest A wall OF
flame thirty feet high, quarter of mile
long, leaped and cracked IN the giant
pines~-a roaring, nsatiable, devastating
iiend.
Far down the road struggled four liz
ures. As they looked the woman sank TO
her knees and fell forward on her face
Two Of them picked her up ana staggered
forward; then dropped. exhausted. Yard !
by yard the car was eating up the dis
tance.
Suddenly David half rose and the car
lurched, almost upsettins them JED.
he shrieked. It's Clarice and Mr.. How
ard and father"
Brace W, nttie Cir he cried. David