The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-09-12
THE
RED WIND
A Prophecy That Was
Fulfilled
By CLARISSA MACkIE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The July day drew to its sultry end.
The sagebrush stretched to the hori-
zon, 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
prairie from under the arch Of her
bent hand. The sun was setting, 6
great ball of fire dropping below the
sky line.
Hester" came her fathers voice
from the house, ''it's getting cooler,
isn't 1t, dear?"
"Just little. father" she said gen.
tly. She went into a room where he
was stretched on a wicker couch be-
fore an open window, his broken leg
propped stiffly on a pillow. She took
down the sheet that hung before the
window and dipped 1t once more In a
pail Of water, wrung 1t lightly and re-
turned it to the window.
grateful GOODNESS. ''That feels good,
Hester" he murmured. 'Tf hadn't
had the i'll luck to step into the gopher
hole we might have had little run
up into the hills for spell, at least
until this blistering weather is over"
"Never mind, father. If you hadn't
broken your leg you know you would
not have taken a vacation. Perhaps
you will get rested now" smiled Hes
ter, tanning him gently
"Perhaps. Where is Henderson,
HE went to look up the herd. l
may as well tell you now, dad"-and
Hester's eyes clouded with anxiety
shat the herd has been missing since
Monday. and Mr.. 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 1t all, Hester, why did 1t
happen at this time, when l am on my
back and can't stir step?"
Because you are helpless, suppose.
II you had been as active as usual !
hardly think that Dixon would have
dared to steal them"
"What is that. Hester? Mr.. Moore
shifted the air suspciously and tried
to look through the screened door. but
It was out Of his range Of vision.
Hester went to the door, looked ont
and came hurriedly back. "Fires at
Alkali." she said briefly. 'They seem
to be coming this way. but the wind
Is south and
There came a rap at the kitchen door.
Hester answered It, 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, howT' said Hester
pleasantly.
Bread, meat, drink?' uttered Annie
gutturally.
"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 1t ravenously. When
It had disappeared Annie lifted her
eyes to those Of the pretty white girl.
"FortuneT' she muttered.
"Again" laughed Hester. why,
Annie. you tell my fortune every time
you come! The last time you promised
me husband and bag Of gold, and
haven't seen sign Of them yet"
ION the way" muttered Annie,
snatching at Testers 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"
slow lovelyw Knocked Hester. "And
my father? What Of him?'
"He runs away on another mans
legs" she said gloomily. 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 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 wailing out Of sight.
"They look like two old priestesses
performing some horrid rite" shud-
dered Hester as she locked the door
and went back to her father.
There is danger, Hester?" he asked
anxiousIy.
"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 Gomez"
ut has never come so close before.
Alkali Is only twenty miles away. and
the smoke is driving this way"
II know It. but 1t may shift" Hes
ter's voice betrayed a strained note
that her father was quick to catch.
What can we do. dear? Have you
made any preparations In case 1t does
Gomez he asked quickly.
oh. yes, dad! There isn't much we
can do, you know! I've had the hay
wagon bedded with blankets and sup
piled with food and water for q week