News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1913-03-26

and all night the four men and the
three women turned their efforts to
! protect the house.
The general, by right and instinct,
| took command. He formed a bucket
| brigade, stationing the Watermelon on
! the roof, at one end of the line, and
the girls and the farmers wife at the
well to fill the buckets at the other
end of the line. They worked hard
and quietly, as people work when face
! to face with the grim forces of nature.
Under the generals able management
the few sparks which did threaten
were quickly extinguished and save
for slight scorching here and there
the house was safe. In the excitement
no one but the general thought of the
generals car.
The cold, gray streaks of dawn
found them worn out, excited and hun
cry. Unable to console the farmer
and his wife, the five drew in a semi
circle around the smoldering heap
which had been the barn, and forlorn-
ly watched the last tiny flames licking
around the twisted, b1ackened ruin
that had once been a motor-car.
"Gone," said the general sadly.
And Billy shifted.
Better Alphonse had taken it," Ia
mented Henrietta.
what shall we do now?" asked Bart
lett. 1t was Saturday and Bachelor
would not be able to reach New York
now no matter what happened. He
had won, the ring was safe, but he
turned sadly to the general, and laid
his hand kindly on his old friends
shoulder. Hard luck, man." said he.
Hard luck"
eve will have to go home," said
Henrietta DULY.
I'VE have no money" replied the
general quietly, unmoved by his penni-
less condition, thinking only Of the
motor-car that was no more.
81 have little" said Henrietta.
about six dollars"
1--WE owe at least all of that here for
supper and rooms" said Bartlett.
Henrietta glanced from one to the
other, then laughed, a gay little bubble
of mirth. They had no money, but
what did that matter? What did any
thing matter when one loved and is
loved? She felt guilty because she
was not sorrier over the loss of the
car, and she patted the general low
ingly on the shoulder
Cheer up, daddy, we haven't cent,
none of u.s." she crooned.
eve can telegraph" suggested Billy.
From where?" asked Bartlett short
ly.
why, we can drive somewhere
where we can," returned Billy des-
perately, under her fathers calm scru-
tiny Of amusement.
Drive what?" asked Bartlett.
"a horse" said Henrietta mildly.
What horse?" questioned Bartlett.
There are two. The farmer wants
them both to help clear up and go to
a neighbours for assistance. What
shall we driver"
"Shank's mare" said Henrietta. "At
the nearest farm, we can get team
and drive to some town where we can
telegraph"
Bartlett and Billy agreed. The gen.
eral said nothing. There was moth
ing to say. The dream of his heart,
the occupation of his days, was gone.
What was there to say?
The Watermelon also was silent.
He felt that he could not leave them,
now that they were again in trouble.
When they reached the town and had
telegraphed. he would go-back to
the road. He was chewing a straw,
hands in his pockets, gazing with the
others in dull apathy at the remains
of the car. and he raised his head in
stinctively to read the sky for ap-
preaching storms. There would be
moon that night and good breeze,
which would make walking easy.
"Hungry?" asked Billy gaily, smil-
ing at him, her eyes asking what the
matter way.
I'm always hungry, Billy" said
he and joined the general on the way
to the house.
Billy stood a moment, hurt and
-. I'll