The Washington times., 1915-06-13
FOURTEENTH INsTALLMENT.
A BOLT FROM THE BLUE.
CHAPTER XXI.


the Chinaman. sitting on a stool In
front Of tho wagon with a dish Of po-
tatoes between his knees. .
Say, where's everyone" Laura sung
out, after che had looked into Lenora's
tent and found 1t empty
The Chinaman continued to peel po-
tatoes. He took no notice of the ques-
/ ton. Laura touched her horse with the
whip and cantered over to his side. At
the last moment the animal swerved a
little. The Chinaman. trying to draw
i back hastily. let the bowl slip between
his knees. He gazed at the broken
! pieces Of the dish in dismay.
Never mind your, silly potatoes!"
Laura exclaimed. Tell me where
Ths chnss%sn sEns To- icoksd ssn' up at her ma
movement forwsrd. ard ana Laura aaf backed sey hey
horse The purpose which had cleaned
eyes seemed to fade away.
All gone.' he announced. Cowboys
gone workes Miasee gone hurry up And
Mr.. Quest" ~"
Laura hesitated. puzzled. Just then
bundle Of grass in his hand. He
glanced down at the Chinaman.
Good morning, Miss Laurap he said,
our friend here he added in an under
tone. IF you would permit me to
offer you just word Of advice, 1t really
%uch Phsy h nexer Sno forset se s'e didae ike ike
the way that fellow was looking at you.
! was watching him all the way from
'Pshaw!' she answered. who cares
what q Chink thinks! The fellows an
idiot. I'm worried, professor. Lenora's
gone out after Mr.. Quest and the in
spector. She wasn't At to ride a horse
n olr hxy hn q otf tad
The professor unslung some field
glasses from his shoulder and gazed
steadily eouthward.
''that she may have received warning
He pointed with his forehnser. Laura
%Sieh sesmed to t. Just ,snt elonS
upon the horizon. The professor handed
her his glasses.
TSe TMShy; professor is,s f'rs! nodaed. sse cried
''Just a prairie fire.'' he replied-"very
dangerous, though, these dry seasons.
The flames move SO quickly that IL you
happen to be In certain position you
might easily get cut off,
Come on, professor!' she exclaimed.
That's what 1t is. Lenora's gone to
try to warn the Others"
She Is very brave young lady
the professor declared, as he touched
his pony with the spurs. ''AIl the same.
Miss Laura, you take my advice and
leave that Chinaman alone"
They rode to the very edge Of the
tract of country which was temporarily
enveloped with smoke and flame. Here
they pulled In their horses and the pro-
lessor looked thoughtfully through his
held glasses
The road straight on is the ordinary
way to the depot" he said, but, as you
can see, at the bend there It is becom-
Ing almost impassable; The thing. is,
far as this. she must have seen that
further progress was dangerous.
witS hS"Ta ber gave s,ns little Si cry and pointed
read. was small white object She
centered on, swung herself from her
horse and picked it up.
Lenora's handkerchief" she cried.
The professor waved him arm west
Here come Quest and the inspector.
They are making circuit to avoid the
hre The cowboy with them must have
hurry up and find out II they've seen
anything Of Miss Lenora"
try towards the little party, who were
''Lenora isn't with them" Laura de-
clared. anxiously. 'and look-what's
From the center of one OF the burning
patches they saw a riderless horse gall
lop out stop for a moment with his
head almost between it's forelegs, shake
himself furiously and gallop blindly on
again. =
ITS Lenora's horse" Laura cried
"she must have been thrown. Come"
Laura would have turned her horse,
but the professor checked her.
lie. Let US wait for Quest" he advised.
'"They are close here'
COWDOV hal M hA
two others. had unlimbered his lariat,
end. while they watched, swung II over
bis head and secured the runaway,
the professoS were %aiving e frantieailY ns HHa
Say. that's some ire!" Quest ex-
claimed ID Did you people come out to
mo, we came to nnd Lenora!" Laura
horse. She started to- meet you. She
must be somewhere" |
Lenora7" Quest interrupted. fercely |
What do you mean?" |
Laura continued. rapidly, there wasn't |
a soul there except the Chinaman He |
told me that Lenora had ridden of q |
Few minutes before to find YOU. We
handkerchief on the road there. and |
that's her horse. |
Quest did not wait for another word. |
He jumped rough bush OF scrub on |
tile Tlknt-nh1u slue, Balloped over the |
ground. which was already hot with the |
coming fire. and. followed along down |
the road by which Lenora had passed |
When he came to the first bend, he |
could hear the roar of flames in the |
blinded him; his horse became wholly |
unrnanageable. He slipped from the |
saddle and ran on. staggering from |
right TO left like a drunken man. About |
forty. yards along the road. Lenora |
was lying in the dust A volume of |
smoke rushed over her. The tree un- |
der which she. had collap was al- |
ready atire. A twig fell from II as |
Quest staggered up. ana her skirt be- |
gan to shoulder. He tore off his coat |
wrapped II around her, beat out the |
fire which was already blazing at hor |
feet and snatched her into his arms. |
She opened her eyes for a moment
nre,y
'-Ghat's all right" Quest shouted.