The Huttig news., 1915-08-28
FOURTEENTH INSTALLMENT
A BOLT FROM THE BLUE.
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 stool in front of the wagon with a dish of potatoes between his knees. Say, where's everyonep Laura sang out. after she had looked into Le- nora's tent and found 1t 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 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 chink thinksi The fel- lows an idiot I'm worried, professor Lenora's gone out after MT. Quest and the inspector. She wasn't fit to ride a horse. I can't make out why she's attempted it."
 The professor unslung some field glasses from his shoulder and gazed steadily southward-
 '1t is just possible" he said, softly, "that she may have received warn ing of that"
 He pointed with his forefnger. Laura peered forward. There was something which seemed to be just faint cloud upon the horizon. The professor handed her his glasses.
 "Why. it's a fire!" she cried.
 The professor nodded.
 "Jpst a 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. Lenoras gone to try and warn the others"
 They rode to the very edge of the tract of country which was temporar- fly enveloped in smoke and flame. Here they pulled in their horses and the professor looked theughtfuliy 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 a small white object. She cantered on. swung herself from her horse and picked it up.
 "Lenora's handkerchief" she cried.
 The professor waved his arm west. ward.
 Here come Quest and the 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 If they've seen anything of Miss Lenora."
 They galloped across the rough country towards the little party, who were now clearly in sight.
 t'rom the center of one of the burn ing patches they saw riderless horse gallop 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 us wait for Quest" he advised.
 The cowboy. riding little behind the two others, had unlimhered his lariat, swung 1t over his head and se- scured the runaway. Quest galloped up to where Laura and the professor were waving frantically.
 Say, that's some fire!" Quest ex- claimed. Did you people come out to see it?"
 No, 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 ly. What do you meanf"
 When I got back to camp" Laura continued, rapidly, there wasn't a soul there except the Chinaman. He told me that Lenora had ridden on a few minutes before to find you. We came to look for her. We found her handkerchief on the road there, and that's her horse"