The Irish standard., 1913-03-01

sciOueness of what it was by q tiny
crimson flame which appeared in the
distance and was gone.
The Watermelon leaped to the win
dow. The barn, which, fortunately,
was unlike Maine barns, stood some
little way from the house instead of
being attached 10 it. With a mighty
burst of flames the roof caught from
the sides, which had been slowly smol-
dering. Every moment the flames
mounted higher and higher, famed
by bit of wind that had arisen
when the sun went down. The place
was filled with the summer hay, and
even as the Watermelon took in the
scene, he knew that there was no hope
to do more than to save the live stock,
II they could do that.
Turning he aroused the general and
Bartlett.
Get up" he whispered. not to dis
turb the girls, "the barns on fire."
Bartlett was up and half in his
clothes before the general had opened
his eyes. The Watermelon had al.
ready slipped quietly from the room.
. Fire." cried the general hoarsely,
at last awake. Then he swore.
my carl"
"Quick," snapped Bartlett. "The
gasolene-"
"There was no gasolene," said the
general sadly, as one would talk about
a loved and dying friend. He turned
mournfully from the window.
The fire had gained too much head
way to leave the slightest possibility
of saving the barn. The farmer, with
the help of the Watermelon, Bartlett
and the general. had barely time to
lead out the horses and turn the cows
into temporary shelter. When that
was done there was nothing more that
could be done but to watch the walls
crumble and the roof fall in a shower
of sparks and roar of flames, leap
ing and dancing in a mad riot of de.
struction. All night the fire burned
and all night the four men and the
three women turned their efforts to
protect the house.
The general, by right and instinct,
took command. He formed bucket
brigade, stationing the Watermelon on
the roof, at. one end of the line, and
the girls and the farmers wife at the
we'll to fill the buckets at the other
end of the line. They worked hard
and quietly. as people work when face
to face with the grim forces of nature.
Under the generals able management
the few sparks which did threaten
were quickly extinguished and save
for slight scorching here and there
the house was safe. In the excitement
no one but the general thought of the
generals car.
The cold, gray streaks OF dawn
found them worn out, excited and hun.
cry. Unable to console the farmer
and his wife, the five drew in a semi.
circle around the smoldering heap
which had been the barn, and forlorn.
ly watched the last tiny flames licking
around the twisted. blackened. ruin
that had once been motor-car.
"Gone," said the general sadly.
And Billy smiled.
Better Alphonse had taken It," Ia.
mented Henrietta.
what shall we do now" asked Bart.
lett. 1t was Saturday and Bachelor
would not be able to reach New York
now. no matter what happened. Hs
had won, the ring was safe, but he
turned sadly to the general, and laid
his hand kindly on his old friend'a
shoulder. lizard luck, man." said he,
Hard luck"
we will have TO go home" said
Henrietta DULY.
I'VE have no money" replied the
general quietly, unmoved by his penni.
less condition, thinking only Of the
motor-car that was no more.
Il have littlc," said Henrietta.
About six dollars"
I'VE owe at least all of that here for
supper and rooms" said Bartlett.
Henrietta glanced from one to the
other, then laughed. gay little bubble
Of mirth. They had no money, but
what did that matter? What did any.
thing matter when one loved and ia
loved? She felt guilty because she
was not sorrier over the loss of the
car. and she patted the general low.
tngly on the shoulder.
"Cheer up, daddy, we haven't cent,
none Of u.s." she crooned.
1--WE can telegraph" suggested Billy.
Trom where ?" asked Bartlett short
ly..
':Why. we can drive somewhere
where we cam returned Billy des.
perately, under her fathers calm scru.
tiny Of amusement.
Drive what?" asked Bartlett.
"A HORSE" said Henrietta mildly.
what horse?" questioned Bartlett
There are two. The farmer wants
them both to help clear up and. go to
q neighbours for assistance. What
shall we driver"
."Shank's mare" said Henrietta. "At
the nearest farm, we can get a team
and drive to some town where we can
telegraph"
Bartlett and Billy agreed. The gen.