The state herald., 1915-04-30
CHAPTER XXI.
Rich and Poor Alike.

growing crescendo of sound. As he
stared. he noticed suddenly faint
glow in the east 1t was too early for
daybreak and the glow was of diff.
ferent color, brighter. more orange in
tint. He watched 1t a while without
comprehending. waiting until 1t was
time for him to steal away from Billy.
back to the road again. And as he
watched. he was brought to quick con-
seriousness Of what 1t was by tiny
crimson fame which appeared in the
distance and was gone.
The Watermelon leaped to the win
dow. The barn. which. fortunately.
was unlike Maine barns. stood some
little way from the house instead OF
being attached TO It With a mighty
burst of flames the roof caught from
the sides. which had been slowly smol-
dering. Every moment the flames
mounted higher and higher. famed
by bit of wind that had arisen
when the sun went down. The place
was filled with the summer hay, and
even as the Watermelon took In the
scene. he knew that there was no hope
to do more than to save the live stock,
If they could do that
Turning he aroused the general and
Bartlett
Get up" he whispered. not to dis
turb the girls. "the barns on fire."
Bartlett was up and half in his
clothes before the general had opened
his eyes. The Watermelon had al.
ready slipped quietly from the room.
Fire" cried the general hoarsely,
at last awake. Then he swore.
MY carl"
Quick" snapped Bartlett "The
gasolene--"
general sadly. as one would talk about
loved and dying friend. He turned
mournfully from the window.
The fire had gained too much head
way to leave the slightes. possibility
of saving the barn. The farmer. with
the help OF the Watermelon, Bartlett
and the general, had barely time to
lead out the horses and turn the cows
into n temporary shelter. When that
was done there was nothing more that
could be done but to watch the walls
crumble and the roof fall in a shower
of sparks and roar OF flames. leap
ing and dancing In a mad riot of de.
struction. IL night the FIRE burned
and all night the four men and the
three women turned their efforts to
protect the house.
The general. by right and Instinct,
took command. He formed a bucket
brigade, statloning the Watermelon on
the roof. at one end OF the line, and
the girls and the farmers wife at the
well to fill the buckets at the other
end of the line. They worked hard
and quietly as people work when face
to face with the grim forces OF nature
Under the generals able management,
the few sparks which did threaten
were quickly extinguished and saw
for slight scorchlng here and there
the house was safe. In the excitemen,
no one but the general thought Of ths
generals car.
The cold. gray streaks OF daur
found them worn out. excited and hun
gry. Unable TO console the fnrne,
and his wife, the i've drew In n sem,
circle around tho smoldcring hear
which had been the barn. and foriorn
ly watched the last tiny flames lickins
around the twisted. blaokened ruir
that had once been n motor.car.
Gone" said the general sadly.
And Billy shifted.
Better Alphonse had taken It," Ia
mcntcd Henrietta.
What shall we do now 7' asked Bart
lett II was Saturday and Bntchelo,
would not be able to reach New Yorl
now no matter what happened. II,
hnd won. the ring was safe. but h,
turned sadly 10 the general. and lnic
his hand kindly on his old friend,
shoulder. Hard luck. man." said he
Hard luck"
we will have to 40 home" nait
Henrietta duly.
we have no money" replied tn,
general quietly. unmovod by his PENN
less condition. thinking only OF th'
asoierosr that was no more.
II have littic." said Henrietta
About six doiisrs."
We owe at least all OF that hero fol
supper and rooms" said Bartlett
Henrietta glanced from ono to tn,
other. then laughed. gay little bubbi,
OF mirth. They had no money. bul
what did that matter1 what did any
thing matter when one loved and II
loved7 She felt guilty because ph'
was not sorricr over the loss OF IN,
car. and she pattcd tho general lov
ingly on tho shoulder.
"Cboe, up. daddy, we haven't . cent
none OF us" she crooned.
we car telegraph" suggestsd Billy