Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1914-06-10
CHAPTER XXI.
Rich and Poor Alike.


He lay staring at the window while
rose and fell, mingling in a steadily
growing crescendo of sound. AS he
stared, he noticed suddenly faint
glow in the east. 1t was too early for
daybreak and the glow was of a diff
ferent color, brighter, more orange in
tint. He watched it a while without
compromising, waiting until it was
time for him to steal away from Billy,
back to the road again. And as he
watched, he was brought to quick con-
seriousness of what it was by tiny
crimson flame which appeared in the
distance and was gone
The Watermelon leaped to the win
dow. The barn, which, fortunately,
was unlike Maine barns, stood some
little way from the house instead of
being attached TO it. With a mighty
burst of flames the roof caught from
the sides, which had been slowly smol-
dering. Every moment the flames
mounted higher and higher, famed
by a bit of a wind that had arisen
when the sun went down. The place
was filed with the summer hay, and
even as the Watermelon took in the
scene. he knew that there was no hope
to do more than to save the live stock,
if they could do that.
Turning he aroused the general and
Bartlett
Get up" he whispered, not to dis
turb the girls. "the barns on fire."
Bartlett was up and half in his
clothes before the general had opened
his eyes. The Watermelon had al
ready slipped quietly from the room.
Fire." cried the general hoarsely.
at last awake. Then he swore.
my carl"
Quick" snapped Bartlett "The
gasolene-"
There was no gasoIene." said the
general sadly, as one would talk about
a loved and dying friend. He turned
mournfully from the window.
The fire had gained too much head
way to leave the slightest possibility
of saving the barn. The farmer, with
the help OF the Watermelon, Bartlett
and the general, had barely time to
lead out the horses and turn the cows
into a temporary shelter. When that
was done there was nothing more that
could be done but to watch the walls
crumble and the roof fall In shower
of sparks and roar of flames. leap
ing and dancing in mad riot of de-
struction. Ill night the fire burned
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
~ell 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.
the few sparks which did threaten
were, quickly extinguished and save
for a 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 semi
circle around the smoldering heap
which had been the barn, and forIorn-
ly watched the last tiny flames licking
around the twisted, blackened 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"
I'VE 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.
Il have a little" said Henrietta.
About six dollars"
I'VE owe at least all of that here .or
supper and rooms" said Bartlett
Henrietta glanced from one to the
other, then laughed. 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
I'VE can telegraph" suggested Billy