Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-05
The Daily Story
THE RED WINDY CLARISsA MACKIE.
Concentrated 1919 by Assnciatel Literary Is,,rean
Copyrighted 1918. by Associated Literary Bureau.

ana 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-
maps the house will be spared after ALL
These adobe walls ought not to burn"
All" he cried sharply and pointed
away TO the southwest where a long,
lurld line was creeping across the
width or 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 Il place beyond the cor
raj where earlier in the day Dick Hen
dcrson had plowed Il wide furrow OF
fresh earth around the homestead.
She touched 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 c.. red
tongues of fame. and broad blanket
or 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 a heavy man. and now his
weight was inert Leave me here
and go, dear" he begged
Never" she said scornfully pausins
for breath.
! In that instant Il 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, father she cried pitt
fully. but his gaze was bent upon her
I! 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 our
chances here"
Nearer the two lines of fire crept.
When they met there was leaping
wall of fame thirty feet high. and the
dreaded happened. a flying cinder
drifted across the furrow and ignited
the dry grass of the corral. There was
lurid fare OF light. and the chickens
in the houses squawked noisily.
In few moments the wooden doors
and window frames would be ablaze
and the contents of the house would
follow. Hester was thankful that the
artesian well had been piped to the
kitchen. She flew to 1t and pumped
pail after pail of water and had them
in readiness. She filed wash boilers
and tubs and gave her father q long
handled dipper so that he might help.
Then it was that there came q thun-
der Of horses hoofs outside and mems
voices shouting. Hester flung open the
door. and Dick Henderson staggered
in. You are here!" he cried breath
lessIy. II hoped you had gone"
Hester explained.
Get on Dipsie. Hester, and ride for
your life. will bring your father, and
the boys will fight the fire."
Without a word Hester obeyed the
, young man. Dick Henderson had al
| ways been good neighbor. and he
had not failed them in their greatest
need.
Then Dick lifted Mr.. Moore IN his
strong arms and carried him out Ia
where a man offered horse and help.
ed the two on its back. Then away
they went before the red wind that
Indian Annie predicted.
Miles away in little canyon Hester
, found refuge beside the sagacious
Benny. who had arrived there safely
: with his load Later. when Dick Hen
derson came with his unconscious bur
cen. the two worked together to make
the injured man comfortable.
you have done so much for me-
t said Hester gratefully when he told
! ! her that that the fire had broken VI
Dixon's gang and that the stolen cattl,
Ind been driven to safe place. Will,
the rustlerS had escaped over the Dor
= Ger
Because ] love you. Hester" b.
: tIlurted out suddenly, and then, over
r come by his shyness. he hurried ava,
Q ~ the mouth of the canyon to view tn
progress of the fire.
r After awhile, when he could repor
that the worst was over and that the
e might return to the ranch, he wen
lack to Hester, who had made q littl
e fire of sticks in the dry bed of th
/ creek and was cooking supper
: what are you smiling ati" he asI,
d ed sheepishly.
e "At Indian Annie's prophecy" sal
n Hester demurey. "She came tonigh
r and said that my lover would ride bs
fore the red wind and that he woul
bring peace and plenty; the lost ca
7, tie would come home and father woul
lie run away on another mans legs"
d. Dick Henderson shifted uneasily.
a Did she soy-er-that you-er-I-
what did she say, Hester?"
e, "She said the maiden married be
ID lover" whispered Hester
lie will she?" whispered Dick.
3 "of course-iust to make the propl
lie ecy come true" was Testers answer
pr -----