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

GHAT IN NNNJ.
There was . peculiar, almost fore
bodinE 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
4 dish Of potatoes between his knees.
Say. where's everyonef" Laura
sanx out, after she had looked into Lee
nora's tent and found It empty.
The chinaman looked up ut her
mAlevolently.
"All gone" he announced. Sow
boys gone workee. Missee gone hurry
up ind Mr.. Guest"
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
m undertone.
"Pshawl" 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 to ride
horse. cant make out why she's
attempted H."
The professor unslung some field
glasses from his shoulder and gaxed
steadily southwark.
1T II Just possible" he said. softly,
shat she may have received warn.
Ing OF that"
He pointed with his forennger Laura
peered forward There was something
which seemed to DO just faint cloud
upon the horizon. The professor
handed her his glasses.
"Why, It's a fret" she cried.
The professor nodded.
"Just prairie fire." he replied
very dangerous. though, these dry
seasons. The flames move so quickly
that II 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 la. Lenora's
gone to try and warn the others"
They rode to the very edge OF the
tract Of country which was temporar-
lily enyeloped In smoke and flame.
Here they pulled in their horses and
the professor locked thoughtfully
through his field glasses.
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 tho inspec-
tor. They are making circuit to
avoid the fire. The cowboy with them
must have shown them the 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 tho burn.
ing patches they saw riderless horse
6allop out. stop for 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 VIZ wait for Quest" he advised
The cowboy, riding q little behind
the two others, had unlimbered his
lariat. swung It over his head and 80.
cured the runaway, Quest galloped w
TO whore Laura and the professor were
waving franticaliy.
SAY. that's some fire!" Quest OK
claimed. did you people come out te
ooe itf'
mo. We came to find Lenora!'
Laura answered. breathlessly. That's
her horse She started to meet 20,
She must be somewhere"
.Lenora7" Quest interrupted. fierce
~. What do you meant"
when ! got back to camp" Laurs
continued. rapidly. "there wasn't Z
soul there except the Chinaman. H,
told me that Lenora had ridden or Z
few minutes before to ind you. W.
came 70 look for her. We found heI
handkerchief on the road there. ant
that's her horse" -~.,