The Red Cloud chief., 1913-10-23

Helena was obliged to cling desperate
ly to the strong arm OF her compan.
ion to keep from falling out. At last
one Of the horses lurched forward
and fell with a shrill scream Of an.
guish. The other horse was dragged
down with him and kicked frantically
against the tangled traces.
Gopher hole!" muttered the man.
jumping out and lifting Helena down.
He went forward. bent over the
fallen animals. and called back word
Of warning to Helena.
An instant later shot rang out.
there was brief struggle. and the in.
jured horse lay quiet. The stranger
released the other animal from the
traces. helped 1t to its feet. and then
called to Helena.
IT'S our only chance-can you stay
on a horse?"
TRY me!" cried Helena. In an in
slant he had tossed blanket across
the trembling animal. strapping 1t
firmly In place. Then. with scant cere
money. he lifted Helena to a seat, bid.
ding her place one foot In the fold
OF the blanket.
I'm five minutes the fire will reach
the wagon" he said. Its a ride for
life--ready? Co."
Away went the black horse. with the
man running swiftly alongside. one
hand on the animals shoulder.
Faster. faster. they went. with the
flames gaining on them every in
stant
To Helena Storrs the ride was
revelation. Never before had she come
SO near to the very marrow of life.
Here. fleeing before the blasting
wind. she might have been the prim-
eval woman with primeval man at her
side.
At last the ground sloped sharply
over fiinty stones. The horse stumbled
bravely down the declivity. snorted
with pleasure and waded into wide
creek, where It stood. breathing
heavily.
The man leaned against the animal
and closed his eyes. The water com.
ing to his knees reused him and he
lifted his head and smiled at Helena.
II reckon we're safe enough now"
he said. You're all tired cut. eh?"
1T was glorious" said Helena.
quietly.
For a moment they looked into each
others eyes. then Helena spoke nerv.
ously. THE fire cannot come beyond
the creek?" she said.
mo. 1t will be pretty hot for
awhile and we can keep cool In the
water. After that-why. I'll take you
over to Duggold; my sister will make
you welcome at my ranch. l suppose
you left your money on the train?"
Helena nodded
well. Nancy can help you out" he
said practically. Nov prepare to keep
your face wet and your eyes covered
another hundred yards and the
flames will lick up this grass along
side the creek"
Helena never forgot that hour. The
stranger made her get down into the
water and wet her gown thoroughly
The heat from the approaching
| flames caused a steam to arise from
the blue serge gown and the smoke
was sitting. but Helena earned the
eternal admiration Of her companion
by her courage. and finally the flames
flickered out and left q dreary black
and smoking pairie.
Now. fol. home" said the stranger
swinging Helena into the saddle and
leading the horse up the opposite bank
into the sagebrush.
Il was long after sunset when they
dragged up the trail to Rainbow
ranch, where Nancy Mather gave Hell
ena warm welcome. Nancy's broth
er. Jerry. who had been Helena's com
panion. fingered moment that night
and spoke to his sister.
| Man." he said. seriously, "how
would you like Miss Storrs for sis
teri"
Jerry! At last?" asked Nancy
smiling incredulously. 80 soon?"
He nodded. III I marry at all-it
will be that GIRL" he said. seriously
as he bent to kiss her goodnight.
Good luck. then. brother. She's I
dear!" cried Nancy. And when she
was alone she murmured: I'll not tel
him who she Is! He will be surprised
to find that he's going to marry thu
rich Miss Storrs."
And when the news was finally
broken 1t was after he had won Hell
enas consent to be his wife. Ther
his sturdy American independence as
serted itself and he said tersely:
Nancy. l love her In spite OF th'
money! Say. Nancy. you ought t
have seen her the day of the fire!"
(CopyrRht. 1918. by the Mcclure News
| paper Syndicate.)
May Recover Antiquities.
| o,toutobtnn Atccnuarv hos haov