Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1915-07-08
FOURTEENTH INsTALLMENT
A BOLT FROM THE BLUE.
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 was the Chinaman, sitting
on stool in front of the wagon with
q dish of potatoes between his knees.
Say, where's everyone?" Laura
sang out, after she had looked into Le-
nora's tent and found it empty.
The Chinaman looked up at her
malevolently.
."All gone," he announced. Cow.
boys gone workee. Missee gone hurry
up find Mr. Quest"
Laura hesitated, puzzled. Just then
the professor came cantering in with
bundle of grass in his hand. He
glanced down at the Chinaman.
Good morning, Miss Laura!" he
said. "You don't seem to be getting
on with our friend here" he added In
an undertone.
"Pshaw!" she answered. who
cares what chink thinks! The fell
lows an idiot. I'm worried, professor.
Lenora's gone out after Mr.. Quest and
the inspector. She wasn't fit I'd ride
a horse. can't make out why she's
attempted it"
The professor unslung some field
glasses from his shoulder and gazed
steadily southwark. 1''-s's'9zs.-.
ut is just possible" he said, softly,
shat she may have received warn.
Ing of that" -
He pointed with his forefinger Laura
peered forward. There was something
which seemed to be just faint cloud
upon the horizon. The professor
handed her his glasses.
"Why, it's a fire!" she cried.
The professor nodded.
Gust a prairie FIRE." he replied
Every dangerous, though, these dry
seasons. The flames move SO quickly
that If you happen to be in a certain
position you might easily be cut on
Laura turned her horse round.
Come on, professors" she ex-
claimed. That's what it is. Lenoras
gone to try and warn the others.
They rode to the very edge Of the
tract of country which was temporal
lily enveloped in smoke and fame.
Here they pulled In their horses and
the professor looked thoughtfuily
through his field glasses. E
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. 1t up.
"Lenora's handkerchief" she cried.
The professor waved his arm west
ward.
Here come Quest and the inspec.
tor. They are making q circuit to
avoid the fire. The cowboy with them
must have shown them the way. Wed
better hurry up and find out If they've
seen anything of Miss Lenora.
They galloped across the rough
country towards the little party. who
were now clearly in sight.
From the center of one of the burn
ing patches they saw riderless horse
gallop out, stop for moment with
his head almost between his forelegs
shake himself furiously and gallon
blindly on again.
Laura would have turned her horse
but the professor checked her.
Let us wait for Quest" he advised
The cowboy, riding little behind
the two others, had numbered his
lariat swung it over his. head and se
cured the runaway. Quest gailcped VI
to where Laura and the professor wert
waving frantically.
Say. that's some fret" Quest 81
claimed. Did you people come out u
see it?"
mo, we came to find Lenora!'
Laura answered, breathlessly. Thati
her horse. She started to meet yo'
She must be somewhere"
"Lenoraf" Quest interrupted. herce
~. what do you meant"
when I got back 20 camp. Laur'
continued. rapidly. 1there wasn't
soul there except the Chinaman. r
told me that Lenora had ridden on
few minutes before to ind you, "
came to look for her. We found ne
handkerchief on the road there. an
that's her horse.