Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-07-29
FOURTEENTH INsTALLMENT
a soLr FROM THE BLUE.
CHAPTER XXX.

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There was peculiar. almost fore
bodinx silence about the camp that
morning when Laura returned from
her carly ride. The only living person
70 be- seen was the Chinaman, sitting
on stool In front Of the wagon with
. dish Of potatoes between his knees.
Say. where's everyonef" Laura
rang out, after she had looked into Lee
nora's tent and found II empty.
Tho Chinaman looked up at her
maleyolently.
All gone" he announced. Cow
boys gone workee. Missee gone hurry
up ind Mr.. Quest"
Laura hesitated, puzzled. Just then
tho professor came cantering In with
bundle Of grass In his hand. He
glanced down ut tho Chinaman.
"Good morning. Miss Laura!" he
said. "You don't seem to be getting
on with our friend here" he added In
IN undertone.
"Pshawl" she answered. "Who
cares what chink thinks! The fell
lows an idiot. I'm worried, professor.
Lenora's gone out after Mr.. Guest and
the inspector. She wasn't fit to ride
. horse. cant make out why she's
attempted IT,"
The professor unslung some field
glasses from his shoulder and gaxed
steadily southwark.
1T is just possible" he said. softly,
that she may have received warn.
Ing OF that"
He pointed with his forennger. Laura
peared forward There was something
which seemed to be just faint cloud
upon the horizon. The professor
handed her HIS glasses,
"Why. It's fire!" she cried.
The professor nodded.
"Just prairie Are" he replied
very dangerous. though, these dry
seasons. The flames move 40 quickly
that II 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 II Ia. Lenoras
gone to try and warn tho 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
tho professor looked thoughtfully
through his field glasses.
Laura gave little cry and pointed
with her riding whip. About twenty
yards farther on. by tho side OF the
road. was a 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 tho inspec-
tor, They are making circuit to
avoid the FIRE. The cowboy with them
must have shown them tho way. We'd
better hurry up and find out II 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 riderless horse
Gallop out, stop for moment with
his head almost between his forelags.
shake himself furiously and gallop
blindly on again.
Laura would have turned her horse.
but tho professor checked her.
let us wait for Quest. he advised.
The cowboy, riding little behind
tho two others. had numbered his
lariat. swung 1t over his head and no.
cured the runaway. Quest galloped up
20 where Laura and the professor were
waving frantically.
.Say, that's some fire!" Quest az.
claimed. did you people come out to
go 1T"
mo. We came to find Lenora!a
Laura answered. breathlessly. That's
her horse. She started to meet you
She must be somewhere"
"Lenoraf" Quest interrupted. fierce
II. What do you meant"
when got back to camp" Laura
continued. rapidly. "there wasn't .
soul there except the Chinaman. He
told mo that Lenora had ridden on q
few minutes before to find You. We
came 70 look for her. We found her
handkerchief on the road there, and
that's her horse"