Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-08-20
THE
RED WIND
A Prophecy That Was
Fulfilled
BY cLARIssA rfAcKIE

yon. a crisp gray-brown expanse of
dry heritage from which the sun had
drained every drop of moisture.
Hester Moore standing in the door.
way Of the ranch house. scanned the
nralrie from under the arch of her
bent hand. The sun was setting.
great ball Of fire dropping below the
sky line.
Hester" came her fathers voice
from the house. Its getting cooler,
isn't It. dearr'
Just little. father" she said gen.
tly She went into room where be
was stretched on q wicker couch be-
fore an open window. his broken leg
propped stifiiy on pillow. She took
down the sheet that hung before the
window and dipped 1t once more In a
nail OF water, wrung II lightly and re-
turned It to the window.
The injured man stirred beneath the
grateful GOODNESS. THAT feels good,
Hester" he murmured. "If l hadn't
had the III luck to step into the gopher
hole we might have had little run
up into the hills for a spell, at least
until this biistering weather is over"
"Never mind, father. II you hadn't
broken your leg you know you would
not have taken vacation. Perhaps
you will get rested now" smiled Hes
ter, tanning him gently.
PERHAPS Where In Henderson,
"He went 10 look up the herd. l
may as well tell you now. dad"-and
Hester's eyes clouded with anxiety
that the herd has beer missing since
Monday, and MFR. Henderson Is afraid
that Dixon and his gang have rustled
them"
Mr.. Moore struggled to sit up, groan-
ed and sank again upon his pillow.
"Confound II all, Hester. why did II
happen at this time. when am on my
back and can't stir stepY
Because you are helpless, | suppose.
II you had been as active as usual
hardly think that Dixon would have
dared 20 steal them"
What Is that Hesterf'' Mr.. Moore
shifted the air suspiciously and tried
to look through the screened door. but
II was out of his range OF vision.
Hester went to the door. looked out
and came hurriedly back. Fires at
Alkail." she said briefly. "They seem
TO be coming this way. but the wind
Is south and
There cafne a rap at thekitchen door.
Hester answered 1t, leaving her re-
mark unfinished.
Two Indian women sat on the door
step. their blankets sagging from their
bent shoulders. Their black eyes were
mutely appealing.
well. Annie. how?" said Hester
pleasantly.
Bread. meat. drinkT uttered Annie
gutturaliy.
"Of course" Hester went to the
pantry and prepared several large sand
witches for the two women. She pour
ed two great glasses Of lemonade and
carried the whole to the doorstep. The
women fell upon Il ravenously. When
II had disappeared Annie lifted her
eyes 10 those OF the pretty white girl
'Fortuney she muttered-
Again." laughed Hester why.
Annie. you tell my fortune every time
you come! The last time you promised
me a husband and bag OF gold. and
haven't seen a sign OF them yet"
ION the way" muttered Annie.
snatchingSt Hester's brown little hand
and scanning the palm closely. He
rides before the red wind. He brings
peace and plenty. The lost cattle come
home. and the maiden marries her
lover"
How lovelyr' Knocked Hester And
my tatherf What Of himy"
He runs away on another mans
legs" she said gloomiiy. and. beckon-
Ing her stolid companion to follow. she
grunted farewell and went YEARLY up
The trail toward the reservation
The two Indians paused on a knoll
and looked away into the west. where
dark cloud marked the horizon. An
ME stretched out a lean arm and point
ed, and Frightened fawn'threw up her
hands and went waiting out of sight
They hook like two old priestesses
4AhS eouit uoIIlu iiltt ohaN
oered Hester as she locked the door
and went back to her father.
There is danger. HesterT" he asked
anxlously.
The same sort that we always en-
counter at this season." the girl said
calmly Remember. every season
since we have lived here we have fear
ed the grass FIRE. and so far It has new
er conner"
1t has never come SO close before.
ARali Is only twenty miles away. and
inc smoke Is driving this way"
1 know 1t. but it may shift" Hes
.ers voice betrayed a strained note
mat her father was quick to catch.
What can we do. dear? Have you
made any preparations in case It does
Gomez he asked quickly.
On. yes. dadl There isn't much we