The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-06-05
A BOLT FROM THE BLUE
CHAPTER XXX.

ABoLT FROM THE BLUE
CHAPTER XXX.
There was . peculiar almost foreboding, silence
about the camp that morning when Laura returned
from her early ride The only living person to be
seen the Chinaman, sitting = stool in front
Of the wagon with dish Of potatoes between his
knees.
SAY where's everyone.' Laura sung out after
she had looked into Lenoras tent and found 1t
empty.
The Chnaman looked UP at her malevolently.
All gone' he announced. Cowboys gone
workee. Missee gone hurry up ind Mr. Quest"
Laura hesitated puzzled. Just then the profess
sor came cantering In with bundle OF grass In
his hand. He glanced down at the chin.man
Good morning, Miss Laura!" he said. You
don't to be getting on with our friend here
he added in undertone = "a
"Pshaw!" she answered. ."Who cares what a
chink thinks! The fellows m idiot. I'm worried
professor Lenoras gone out after Mr.. Quest and
the inspector, She wasn't at to ride horse. l
can't make out why she's attempted it,
The professor unslung some neld-gasses from
his shoulder and sazed steadily southwark
1T Is just pei sible" he said, softly. that she
may have reces ed warning OF that"
He pointed with his forefnger Laura peered
forward. There something which seemed to
be just faint cloud upon the ho11son. The profes-
handed her his glasses.
why it's . dre" she cried.
The professor nodded
"Just prairie fire." he replied-"very danger.
GUS, thought, these dry seasons. The flames move
quickly that II you happen to be in q certain
position you might easily set cut Oh" ''>
Laura turned her horse round.
Come on professor" she exclaimed. That's
what 1t is. Lenora's gone to try and warn the
others"
They rode to the very edge Of the tract Of coun-
try which was temporarily enveloped with smoke
and fame. Here they pulled in their horses and
the professor looked thoughttully through his field
glasses
Laura gave little cry and pointed with her
riding whip. About twenty yards farther on, by
the side Of the road, was small white object
She cantered on, swung herself from her horse and
picked it up.
"Lenora's handkerchief!~ she cried
The professor waved his arm westward.
Here come Quest and the inspector. They are
making q circuit to avoid thu IRE"
They galloped across the rough country towards
the little party, who were now clearly in sight.
From the center Of ono Of the burning patches
they q riderless horse gallop out, stop for
moment with his head almost between his fore
legs. shake himself furiously and gallop blindly
again.
Laura would have turned her horse. but tho pro.
fessor checked her.
Let wait for Quest" he advised. "They are
close here"
The cowbody, riding little behind the.two 9TH
ers, had unlimbered his laffat. and, while they
watched swung 1t over his head and secured the
runaway. Quest saloped up to where Laura and
the professor were waving frantically
Say that's some dr0!" Quest exclaimed. Did
you people come out to see It?
mo, we came to find Lenora!" Laura answered.
hreathlessly. That's her horse. She started to
meet you. She must be somewhere"
"Lenora:" Quest interrupted. nercely What
DO you mean?"
When got back to the camp" Laura continued
rapidly. "there wasn't q soul there except the
Chinamau. He told me that Lenora had ridden
of few minutes before to md you. We came to
look for her. We found her handkerchief the
road there, and that's her horse"
Quest did not wait for another word. He jumped
a rough bush of scrub on the rghthand side. gal
loped over the ground, which 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 trees. volume of smoke almost blinded
him. Ills horse became wholly unmanageable. He
slipped from the saddle and on staggering
from right to left like a drunken man. About
forty yards along the road Lenora was lying In
The drs volume Of smoke rushed over her.
The tree vnder which she had collapsed al
ready afre. A .wig fell from it as Quest stag
gered >uo, and her skirt began to shoulder He
tore of his coat. wrapped it around her, beat out
the Are which was already blazing at her feet and
e1atch~d her irtb his arms She opened her eyes
FL moment.
Where are wsy' she whispered. THE nre!"
That's aE right" Quest shouted. We'll be out
OF Il IL { moment. Hold tight to my neck
H- nrsced himself Cor a supreme effort and
Along the pathway. Ills feet were blstered with
The heat, there was great burn on one OF his
Am. At last: however he passed out of the
IusxHY IONS aud staggered up to where the pro-
lessor the Inspector aud Laura were waiting.
Say that 4 c!ase shave" he faltered,
h. laid Lsaora upon ths ground. Another i've
1uins.ea-wel we Won. talk about it. Let's lift
her "u ~ ~o:- horne, Laura and get back to the
! Carp"
CHAPTER XXX.
rse ;..otc-ape laid down. hi. hook and sased with
az an..Able smile tcwards 2ucst aud Lenora