The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-09-12

where are the other horses, your
own little Bess?" he demanded
sharply.
"Gone-stolen," she murmured hope
lessly, and he swore harshly.
Hester went into the kitchen to pre-
pare the evening meal. Now and then
she paused before the open door to
look searchingly into the dusk that
was creeping fast over the land. The
smoke was growing thicker, and she
noticed with start Of terror that the
sky was obscured.
Something brushed Hester's face.
She caught it in her hand and found 1t
was q charred cinder.
She darted into the house and light
ed lamp.
The fire has come. father" she said
calmly. II will get the wagon ready
and back 1t to the door. think l can
transfer you from the couch to the
wagon"
Every 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-
haps the house will be spared after all.
These adobe walls ought not to burn"
"Ah!" he cried sharply and pointed
away to the southwest, where a long,
lurid line was creeping across the
width Of the prairie. Hcnderson's
place was to the east of IT. Perhaps
his men would start back fire and
head it off.
Back fire, Hester" he ordered, and
the girl few to place beyond the cor
raj where earlier in the day Dick Hen
derson had plOwed 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 1t reached out red
tongues Of fame, and broad blanket
Of 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 heavy man, and now his
weight was inert. Leave me here
and go, DEAR he begged.
"Neverr' she said scornfully. pausing
| for breath.
In that instant 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. fatherw she cried pitt
fully. but his gaze was bent upon her
| 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 a leaping
wall Of fame thirty feet high, and the
dreaded happened. A flying cinder
the dry grass Of the corral. There was
a 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 few to 1t and pumped
pail after pail of water and had them
in readiness. She filed wash boilers
and tubs and gave her father long
handled dipper so that he might help.
Then it was that there came 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.
lessly. 81 hoped you had gonev'
Hester explained.
Get on Dipsie, Hester, and ride for
your life. l 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 to
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-
den, the two worked together to make
the injured man comfortable.
"You have done so much for me-"
said Hester gratefully when he told
her that that the fire had broken up
Dixon's gang and that the stolen cattle
had been driven to safe place. while
the rustlers had escaped over the Dor
der
Because l love you, Hester" he
blurted out suddenly. and then, over
come by his shyness. he hurried away
to the mouth of the canyon to view the
progress of the fire.