The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1913-08-23

own little hess" he demanded
sharply.
"Gone-stolen," she murmured hope
lessly, and he swore harshly
Hester went into the kitchen to pre-
pare the evening meal. Now and then
she paused before the open door to
look searchingly into the dusk that |
was creeping fast over the land. The |
smoke was growing thicker. and she /
noticed with a start of terror that the /
sky was obscured.
Something brushed Testers face. /
She caught it in her hand and found it |
was a charred cinder
She darted into the house and light |
ed a lamp.
The fire has come, father" she said
calmly. Il will get the wagon ready
and back it to the door. think | can
transfer you from the couch to the
wagon"
Very well, dear. Wheel me to the
door and give me two canes. Have
you got your mothers picture?"
Safe, father. and all your papers
| and plans and books and clothes Per-
haps the house will be spared after all.
These adobe walls ought not to burn"
"Ah! he cried sharply and pointed
away to the southwest, where a long,
! lurid line was creeping across the
width of the prairie Henderson's
place was to the east of it Perhaps
his men would start a back fire and
| head it off.
Back fire, Hester" he ordered and
the girl flew to a place beyond the cor
raj where earlier in the day Dick Hen
derson had plowed wide furrow Of
fresh earth around the homestead
She touched a match to the finder
dry grass on the far side of the fur
row. 1t blaZed up and ran in licking
leaps up and down the edge of the
fresh EARTH then it reached out red
tongues of fame, and a broad blanket
of fire went out to meet that other red
fire from the southwest.
Back she went to the house and tried
to lift her father to the wagon. Once
twice, she exerted all her strength but
he was n heavy man, and now his
weight was inert. Leave me here
and go, dear" he begged.
"Never"' she said scornfully. pausing
for breath.
In that instant a bunch of cattle ran
snorting past the house and startled
the restless Benny to action. Without
warning he dashed away to safety.
dragging the loaded wagon in his
wake, leaving Hester and her father to
the fate of the red wind behind
Hester's face went down into her
palms. "Oh, fatherr she cried pitt
fully, but his gaze was bent upon her
tenderly.
) 1T will come out all right, daugh,
ter" he said gravely. Hang wet
. sheets to the windows and doors
Close the doors and we will take ouI
chances here"
Nearer the two lines of fire crept
t When they met there was leapinG
t wall of flame thirty feet high, and the
l dreaded happened. a flying cindel
| drifted across the furrow and ignite(
the dry grass of the corral. There wa:
:. lurid flare of light, and the chicken:
: in the houses Squawked noisily.
In few moments the wooden door
: and window frames would be ablaZ
T and the contents of the house would
e follow. Hester was thankful that tn
artesian we'll had been piped to tn
r kitchen. She flew to it and pumpe,
pail after pail of water and had then
e in readiness. She filed wash boiler
and tubs and gave her father Ion
e handled dipper so that he might help.
l. Then it was that there came a thur
r der Of horses hoofs outside and men
ID voices shouting. Hester flung open til
a lnor nd
n in. You are herer he cried breath
ar lessly. Il hoped you had gonew
Hester explained.
Get on Dipsie, Hester, and ride fC
Y, your life. l will bring your father. an
ne the boys will fight the fire"
ID Without word Hester obeyed til
I'd young man. Dick Henderson had a
ways been a good neighbor, and /
e. had not failed them in their create
I'd need.
lie Then Dick lifted Mr.. Moore in h
gs strong arms and carried him out
ne where a man offered a horse and bel
er ed the two on its back. Then avs
they went before the red wind tn
nd Indian Annie predicted.
Miles away in little canyon Hest
iouhu AeluSe beSlue INC SdSdClO
m Benny, who had arrived there safe
he with his load. Later, when Dick He
up derson came with his unconscious bu
den, the two worked together to ma
oil the injured man comfortable.
re You have done so much for me
m said Hester gratefully when he to
Mt her that that the fire had broken
Ter Dixon's gang and that the stolen cat
: had been driven to safe place. VIII
ses the rustlers had escaped over the b.
Id der.
)or Because l love you, Hester"
blurted out suddenly, and then, ov
led come by his shyness. he hurried aw
to the mouth of the canyon to view {
en- progress of the fire.
aid Aftar awhiIa whom no cOuid ron,