The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-10-01
FOURTEENTH INSTALLMENT
a BOLT FROM THE BLUE.
CHAPTER XXX.

There was q peculiar, almost fore
boding silence about the camp tina
morning when Laura returned from
her early ride. The only living person
to be seen was the Chinaman, sittinf
on a stool in front OF the wagon with
a dish OF potatoes between his knees
Say, where's everyone?" Laura
sang out, after she had looked into LIE
nora's tent and found 1t empty.
The Chinaman looked up at hei
inadvertently.
"Ali gone" he announced. Cow.
boys gone workee. Missee gone hurry
up find Mr.. Quest"
Laura hesitatef puzzled. Just then
the professor carae cantering in with
a 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.
"Pshawi" she answered. ssWho
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 to ride
"A horse. can't make out why she's
attempted it,
The professor unsiung some field.
glasses from his shoulder and gazed
steadily southwark.
1T is just possible" he said, softly,
shat she may have received warn.
ing OF that"
He pointed with his forefinger. Laura
gpeered forward There was something
which seemed to be just faint cloud
upon the horizon. The professor
handed her his glasses.
why, It's fret" she cried.
The professor nodded.
Just prairie fire" he replied
very 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 off"
Laura turned her horse round.
"Come on, professor" she ex-
claimed. That's what 1t is. Lenora's
gone 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 thoughtfuliy
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 small white object. She
cantered on. swung herself from her
horse and picked it up.
t'Lenora's handkerchief" she cried.
The professor waved his arm west
ward.
Here come Quest and the inspec-
tor. They are making a circuit to
avoid the fire. The cowboy with them
must have shown them the way. We'd
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 a riderIess horse
gallop out, stop sfor a moment with |
his head almost between his forelegs,
shake himself furiously and gallop |
.blindly on again.
Laura would have turned her horse,
but the professor checked her.
Let us wait for Quest" he advised. |
The cowboy. riding a little behind |
the two others. had numbered his
lariat. swung it over his head and Sc
cured the runaway. Quest galloped up
to where Laura and the professor were
waving frantically.
Say. that's some 'firel" Quest ex-
claimed. did you people come out to
see it,"
mo. we came to find Lenora!"
Laura answered, breathlessly. That's
her horse. She started to meet you
She must be somewhere"
"Lenora?" Quest interrupted, fierce
Iy. what do you mean?'
when ! got back to camp" Laura
continued, rapidly, there wasn't a
soul there except the Chinaman. He
told me that Lenora had ridden off a
few minutes before to find you. We
came, to look TOR her. We found her
handkerchief ON the road there, and
hats her horse"