The Green Forest tribune., 1915-07-09
FOURTEENTH INSTALLMENT
A BOLT FROM THE BLUE.
CHAPTER XXI.

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 8 stool in front of the wagon with dish of potatoes between his knees.
 Say, where's eyeryone?" Laura sang out, after she had looked into Le- nora's tent and found it empty.
 The Chinaman looked up at her inadvertently.
 "All gone,' he announced. Cow boys gone workee. Missee gone hurry up find MT. Quest"
 Laura hesitated, puzzled. Just then the professor came 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.
 "Pshaw" she answered. "Who cares what a chink thinksi The fel- 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. 1 can't make out why shes attempted it."
 The professor unslung. some field gi4sses from his shoulder and gazed steadily southwark
 Tt is just possible,' he said, softly, s'that she may have received a warn ing of that"
 He pointed with his foreffnger. Laura peered forward. There was something which seemed to be just a faint cloud upon the horizon. The professor handed her his glasses.
 Why, it's fre!" she cried.
 The professor nodded.
 "Just a prairie fire" he replied s'very dangerous, though these dry seasons. The flames move so quickly that if you happen to be in certain position you might easily be cut off. !" Laura turned her horse round.
 Come on, professor" she ex- claimed. That's what it is. Lenora's 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 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.
 1'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 riderless horse gallop out, stop for a moment with his head almost between his forelegs shake himself furiously and galloI 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 unlimbered hi. lariat swung it over his head and SC cured the runaway. Quest galloped III to where Laura and the professor wer, waving frantically.
 Say, that's some fire!" Quest ez claimed. Did you people come out t. see it?"
 No, we came to find Lenora! Laura answered, breathlessly. That her horse. She started to meet yo She must be somewhere"
 "Lenora?" Quest interrupted, fierce ly. What do you mean?"
 When I got back to camp Laur continued, rapidly, there wasn't soul there except the Chinaman. H told me that Lenora had ridden off few minutes before to find you W came to look for her. We found ht handkerchief on the road there, an that's her horse.