Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-04-05

wherever she might choose herself and
also give her parents a comfortable
home.
But which of the men held the key
to Eer heart?
Really she could not tell, but she
grew drowsy making herself believe
she would he able in any event to
compel her mind with it's power of
Judging wisely to control her heart.
Toward midnight she was aroused
by a strange pungent smell pervading
her little room. Her breathing was not
quite free. What could it mean?
She lay for a minute dazed, yet with
what sense she could command, trying
to discover the cause of the odor that
was gaining in strength and sitting
power.
Suddenly a great crimson light illu-
mined the small window. With a
quick movement Rachel sprang from
bed, and as she did so there came to
her ears the rapid beat Of a horses
hoofs on the prairie road.
Then she heard Dams voice burden |
ed with awful import.
"Rachel!" he called. "Mr. Winton!
Get up! Get up quick! The prairie is
on fire.
Father! Motherv' the girl called,
running to their bed. Get up! Do
you hear? There is a big fire. Yes,
Dan," she called from the window as
she helped her mother to dress.
There's not a minute to lose," South
ard called back. 1.-THE fire is sweeping
this way as fast as a strong wind can
bring it"
There had been no rain for three
weeks, and everything was as dry as
finder.
The Wintons understood the terrible
danger impending.
Not only the cabin, but stock, crops,
even they themselves, were at the mer-
cy Of those leaping flames.
Bring the blankets, quick" shouted
Southland. Obeying him instantly.
Rachel dragged every blanket out of
the house.
Dan had ridden his horse to the little
spring in the hollow and was rapidly
filling every pail he had been able to
find about the place.
i. Acting under his directions, the girl
mounted her fathers pony, and she
and Dan carried water for Mr.. and
Mrs. Winton to wet the blankets, this
being their only means of fighting the
fire.
+ How they worked and fought. 1t
seemed as if the whole world was ar
rayed against them, and all the while
the moon looked down. cold and I'M
!, caring, while the fire swept fiercely on
q ward until it caught in a row Of dry
q cornstaks that reached nearly to tne
8 cabin. Here the battle must be fought
With renewed energy.
The smoke of the burning grass and
grain assaulted their 1ostrils, scorched
!, their threats and blinded their eyes
nut with hands torn and blistercd they
toiled on.
When tire Old couple fell back over
% come Dan and Rachel took their places
q with the heavy wet blankets and work
ed side by side. Inch by inch they beat
back the angry flames.
Even in that terrible situation tho
,r girl felt a singular strength and cool
ness in working by Southard's side
it She felt that the enemy must yield t.
,a such grand and compelling superiority
When the fire attacked them from
another vulnerable point it was Dan:
,, exhaustless energy that saved the day
DIV. ~aarifIoip q n otnh of rinn ora i'm
through a prompt back fire, the fo'
70 was met and made to recoii in wrath
70 full flames upon itself.
After a time the great body Of thu
= fire swept away northwagd, havin'
= consumed everything Of the Wintons
except cabin and stock.
~ With a thankfulness in tlseir heart:
for the preservation of these, the oil
couple entered the house and threw
themselves upon the floor.
Then Southland and Rachel came bacl
- with weary, tagging feet from thei
- last successful onslaught.
- "Everything's safe now, Rachel" hi
- said huskily, starting toward his horse
q "Dan," she questioned, a queer chok
ing in her throat, -'you are not goin;
now?"
He stopped and looked at her. Sht
had never appeared more beautiful t.
y him than now, with the marks of tina
:. great fire battle upon her face ant
tattered dress.
"All we have left we w TO you
:, Dan" she went Oh, noting his scorche'
~ face, bleeding hands and burned cloth
. ing.
n Then she placed her biackened han'
Il on his shoulder. How he tremblct
under that touch.
II II don't feel as if l could bear Il
N nave you leave us, Dan" There wa
a tender pleading in her tones.
n "The dangers over, Rachel" he re
~ assured her, "and I must ride all th'
d way to Westfield before daybreak."
"Why to Westfield?" she asked.
=, Without q word ho nointed DcroS;