The Red Cloud chief., 1913-10-23
Observation-Disclosures NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
BEFORE THE FLAMES
BY JUNE GAliAN.

Helena Storrs stared resentfully
after the Eastern Express as It dwin-
died to a black spot In the distance.
When It had quite disappeared from
sight and the black smoke had drifted
away into the sagebrush. She turned
and surveyed her surroundings.
The station agent was watching her
curiously from the open doorway. She
was worth looking at, too, this beauti-
ful daughter Of John Henry Storrs. the
financier; she was very lovely In her
plain blue cloth travelling gown and
chic little hat, with the late afternoon
sun turning her hair to red and gold
and warming the rose and ivory tints
OF her complexion.
The station agent jumped when
Helena suddenly fixed her lovely gray
eyes on him.
rs there a garage near by?" she
asked. pleasantly.
The station agent scratched his
head Lord. miss. there amt motor
car short Of Cheyenne. I guess
Miss Storrs looked displeased.
What a desolate spot" she ex.
claimed. Can you tell me when the
next train Is due?"
There ain't another one till morn.
ing. miss. This one wouldn't have
stopped only there was something
wrong with her engine. They ought
not to have let you of the train ut
ALL
II threatened to report them II they
did not" said Helen. haughtily. What
am to do?" she asked.
The answer to her question came in
an unexpected way. There was the
sound OF wagon wheels and the clatter
OF ho0fs and, around the bend OF the
trail there whirled q light blackboard
driven by q man In a broad.brimmcd
hat. He handled the fiery black
horses skillfully and brought the
wagon wheels to a standstill without
an inch to spare beside the station
platform.
HI. there. Jonesey." he sang Justify
got an express package for me?"
Walt q minute. Jerry-its inside"
The agent hustled indoors. Presently
he came out with O package, which
he placed In the back Of the wagon
Then he conversed In low tones with
the driver. Helena surmised that they
might be talking about her and she
felt uncomfortably at disadvantage
She stepped from the platform
went around the side Of the station
and. without glance at the men
turned into the dusty trail that led tC
Duggold-ten miles away.
She had walked perhaps half mile
when there came the clatter OF hoofs
behind her. She did not turn around
As the sound grew nearer she stepped
aside into the sagebrush and kept or
at a quicker pace.
Mingled with the hoofs we're wagor
wheels: they passed her and ther
stopped. sending up a choking clout
Of dust.
Il beg your pardon" said a pleas
ant voice.. but would you not like t
ride to Duggold"
Thank you. no." she said. stifly: :"
prefer to walk"
1T Ia q tough walk" said the stran
ger little insistently. Helen thought
especially II you are not acquainted
with the region. You may meet al
sorts OF people-the grass Is afire q
Fox creek and II is coming this way.
Helena looked around and saw com
ing from the east cloud Of gra!
smoke. Birds were flying before tn
wind and little charred shreds Of gras
drifted past.
"Fire?" asked Helena DO yo,
mean that they are permitting the dr.
to get beyond control?"
The man laughed shortly. THE fir
had been beyond control from the be
ginning. There Is little hope that
will stop at the trail. did not knos
It had gained such headway or l.
will try backfire! Step back. please
over thereon the other side of tn
trail" he said.
Helena obeyed. meekly following q
he drove the horses several hundre
yards into the sagebrush on the SAT
side OF the trail.
Stay close to the wagon-it's you
only way to escape" He bent I
touch q match to the grass on tn
eastern edge OF the trail.
A long line Of red flames trickled U
and down. fighting against the wint
The man ran to and fro. beating
back where 1t threatened to ignite tn
grass on the further side OF the tral
At last the flames gathered headwa
and another cloud OF smoke went ou
to meet the blacked cloud coming fror
the east
Helena felt the intense heat and III
der the mans direction she drove tn