The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-12-30
FOURTEENTH %lNSTALLMENT
A BOLT FROM THE BLUE.
CHAPTER XXX.

CHAPTER XXI.
There was a peculiar, almost fore
boding silence about the camp that
morning when Laura returned from
her early ride. The only living person
TO be seen vas TIA Uhinaman, sitting
on a stool in front OF the wagon with
a dish OF potatoes between his knees.
"Say, where's everyone?" Laura
sang out. after shs had looked into Lee
nora's tent and fosnd it empty.
The Ohinamah hooked up at her
malevolentiy.
"All gone" he announced. Sow
boys gone workfe. Missee gone hurry
up find Mr.. Quesa>"
Laura hesitated. puzzled. Just then
the professor carrie cantering In with
a bundle OF grass In his hand. He
glanced down ek the Chinaman.
Good morninn. Miss Laura!" he
said. You dont seem to be getting
on with eHr friesd here" he added in
an undertnae.
"Pshaw!" she answered. who
cares what a chink thinks! The fel-
lows an fAist. Ina worried, professor.
Lenora's gene ent after Mr.. Quest and
the inspector. she wasn't at to ride
q horse. I can't make ost why she's
attempted H."
The professor unslung some field
glasses ffom has shoulder and gazed
steadily so4shward.
at Is Just possible" he said. softly,
shat she may have received a warn
Ing Of that
He pointed with his foretlnger. Laura
peereA forward. There was something
which seemed to be just a faint cloud
upon the horizon. The professor
handed her his glasses.
why, it's q fret" She cried.
The professor nodded.
"Just a prairie fire." he reSlied-
"very dangerous. though, these dry
seasons. The flames nov 10 quickly
that IL you happen to be IN a certain
position you might easily be cut off,"
Laura turned her horse round.
"Come on. professor" she OK
CAAiliiCu. Auah Wudt Nv 10. A<CuOtap
gene to try and warn the others"
They rode to the very edge OF the
tract Of country which was temporar-
lily enveloped in smoke and flame.
Here they pulled In their horses and
the professor looked thoughtfully
through his field glasses.
Laura gave a little cry and pointed
with her riding whip. About twenty
yards farther on. By the side OF the
road, was a small white object. She
cantered on, swung herself from her
horse and picked It UP.
'Tenora's hanAksrchiefl" she cried.
The professor waved bis arm west
ward.
"Here come oMAst and the inspec-
tor. They are making q circuit to
avoid the fire. The cowboy with them
must have shown them the way. We'd
better hurry up and find out IL they've
seen anything Of Miss Lenora."
They galloped across the rough
country towards the little party, who
ven now clearly In sight.
From the center of one of the burn
ing patches they saw a rideriess horse
ga1lsp out. stop for a moment with
Ills head almost between his forelegs,
shake himself fariously and gallop
Dlindly on again.
Laura would have turned her horse,
but the professor checked her.
LET us walt Tor Quest" he advised.
The cowboy, riding q little behind
.he two others. had unlimbsred his
lafiat. swung It over his head and -
cured the runaway. Quest galloped up
- where Laura and the professor were
waving frantieally. +
s'Say. that's some fire!" Quest ex-
claimed. Did you people come out to
ooe ~"
mo. We oans to nnd Leuora!"
xenra answered, breathlessly. THAT'S
- Morse. Che started to meet you
70 must Be aonewhere-
rLensraYs Qospt interrupted. fierce
y. What do yoa meant"
Whea I ~ bask 70 camp" Laura
Gnntfn4e1, rapidiy, -tsare wasn't =
there sxoept ne OhiEaman. He
m No Hat Eaora had ridden on =
IN Mfnata bscere % and yca. We
80 q laok - %: We fosA1 ~
- = - - - =.
H#HHN0I #FN*H24 .t"tME NJ.