Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-02-23

Dy strange pungenc smell pervadlnH
her little room. Her breathing was not
quite free. What could It meanH
She lay for minute dazed, yet vita
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
quick movement Rachel sprang from
bed, and as she did so there came to
her ears tho rapid beat Of a horses
hoofs on the prairie road.
Then she heard Dams voice burden
ed with awful import.
"Rachelv he called. "Mr. Wintonl
Get upl Get up Quicki The prairie IL
on flrer'
"Fatherl Motherr' the girl called.
running to their bed. Get upi Do
you hear2 There Is a big fire. Yes,
Dam" she called from the window az
she helped her mother to dress.
there's not minute to lose" South
ard called back. 1.-THE fire 10 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 az
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
filing every pail he had been able to
nnd about the place.
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! It
seemed as II 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 fercely on
ward until 1t caught in a row Of dry
cornstalks that reached nearly to the
cabin. Here the battle must be fought
with renewed energy.
The smoke OF the burning grass and
grain assailed their nostrils, scorched
their throats and blinded their eyes,
but with hands torn and blistered they
toiled on.
When the old couple fell back over
come Dan and Rachel took their places
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 the
girl felt a singular strength and cool
ness in working by Southard's side.
She felt that the enemy must yield to
such grand and compelling superiority.
When the fire attacked them from
another vulnerable point 1t was Dams
exhaustless energy that saved the day.
BY sacrificing patch Of ripe grain,
through a prompt back fire, the foo
was met and made to recoil In wrath
full flames upon itself.
After time the great body OF the
fire swept away northward, having
consumed everything Of the Wintons'
except cabin and stock.
With thankfulness In their hearts
for the preservation OF these, the old
couple entered the house and threw
themselves upon the floor.
Then Southland and Rachel came back
with weary, tagging feet from their
last successful onslaught.
"Eyerything's safe now, Rachel" he
said huskily, starting toward his horse.
"Dan," she questioned, a queer chok-
ing In her throat, you are not going
nowT
He stopped aud looked at her. She
had never appeared more beautiful to
him than now, with the marks OF that
great fire battle upon her face and
tattered dress.
"All we have left we owe TO you,
,ana hIaodIno h,nds and burned cloth.
ing.
rr,a aba, ,,,aoo, ho, tJ.oLo,od hand
on hia sIo,,Idor How no ,romh,e1
,,ndar ,ha, ,""ch,
~, 49,, o., n 10 o,,1 ,oa. 10
h.no n"n L,avo no nan" Thara Gas
a ,aniar ,iaadIne i, hor ,or.s
,Srha dnn,,or,s ogar Rachel" ma re-
.',a, 49,. aa.S 80, .,d, al ,ha