The Prescott daily news., 1915-05-08

said Thompson. He found some tar paulin and placed it over the wheat Lets try to get some sleep he said.
 They must have all slept for sudden ly the young people started to their feet at cry from the old man.
 Look! Where's the window: Whatve you done with it?" he de, mauded.
 To their astonishment the wheat rose above the level of the window. They were now lying in little depres- sion, and there were only two and Q half feet between the wheat and th roof. The elevator had evidently grounded, for there was no sense ot motion.
 She's fermenting!" yelled Thomp- son. We'll have to get the window open and shovel some out
 But as the three moved over the wheat, with a rattle whole pile came down on them, nearly burying them At the same time, by some disturbance of equilibrium, the elevator tipped on one corner, and the window totally disappeared, leaving them in darkness, save for the faint light that came through the chinks in the walls.
 The grains swelling" explained Thompson. Maybe it'll stop before it crushes us, if not"
 It was horrible situation. For, inch by inch, the fermenting wheat pushed them upward. Now they could only kneel. and presently. even kneeling, their heads graZed the roof of the structure. Thousands of tons of wheat were expanding, each molecule sepa- rating from it's neighbors as the fer ment spread The atmosphere was now intolerable. Their hands and knees were blistered from the exces- sive heat
 We'll die like rats" said old Karl son. Nan, I'm sorry you're here"
 The girl shrank into Thompson's arms. I'd die happier to feel you didn't mind about Sim, father" she said.
 Old Karlson hesitated. He was the most stubborn man in Upas City, and had always been proud of his reputa- tion; however, he did not feel like pride at that moment.
 If 1 could burrow toward the win dow and get it open!" he whispered.
 The fear of death was upon him, not for himself, however, but for the girl You can have her. Thompson" he ssid. "I wish I'd given her to you be- fore-this happened"
 He felt Thompson's hand grasp his. And now the roof was pressing against their heads even as they sat, and the hot grains were mounting. It was an atrocious sensation to feel them creep ing upward. The lower parts of their bodies were completely buried. With hands above their heads they waited for the end. And already they were in the wise, between the unyielding roof and the wheat.
 Thompson, his arm around the girl, waited. They had exchanged their last kiss, and few minutes would see the end.
 Suddenly there came a report that seemed to rend the heavens and earth Thompson had a confused idea of clutching at Nan; then he seemed to fly through the air. A few moments later he came to himself, to find that he was struggling in the muddy water of the Divide. Near him were Nan and the old man, struggling in half uncon- sciousness.
 Thompson felt bottom. He waded toward them, drew Nan into his arms, then grasped her father and laid them both upon the island of wheat that had suddenly emerged from the bottom of the river.
 The explanation was clear The force of the fermenting grain had rent the elevator from top to bottom.
 Its lucky I gave you Nan, young fellow" muttered old Karlson, when he had recovered. I'm a man of my word, though"
 T know" grinned Sim. And I'm go. ing to take out patent to a quarter section right here Lord. what wheat crop we'll have by summer."
 Copyright, 1915, by w o. Chapman)