The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-01-12

ueT little roOu. der breathing was not
quite free. What could it mean?
She lay for a minute dazed. yet with
what sense she could command. irving
to discover the cause OF the odor that
was gaining in strength and sitting
power.
Suddenly 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 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. Motheri' 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. "The fire is sweeping
this way as fast as strong wind can
bring it,
There had been no rain for three
weeks, and everything was as dry as
tindeY.
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
Southard. 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
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 un-
caring, while the fire swept fiercely on
ward until 1t caught I'm 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 threats 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 bea'
back the angry flames.
| Even I'm that terrible situation tht
girl felt singular strength and cool
ness in working by Southard's side
She felt that the enemy must yield t.
such grand and compelling superiority
| When the fire attacked them from
another vulnerable point it was Dan'
exhaustless energy that saved the day
BY sacrificing patch of ripe grain
through prompt back fire, the fo'
was met and made to recoil in wrath
full flames upon itself.
After time the great body of TIN
fire swept away northward. havin!
consumed everything Of the Wintons
except cabin and stock.
| With a thankfulness in their heart
for the preservation of these, the OLE
couple entered the house and threw
themselves upon the floor.
Then Southard 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
"Dan," she questioned, queer chok
ing in her throat, you are not goin'
now?'
He stopped and looked at her. Sh,
had never appeared more beautiful t.
him than now, with the marks of tina
great fire battle upon her face ant
tattered dress.
| "An we have left we owe to you
Dan." she went on, noting his scorchet
face, bleeding hands and burned cloth
ing.
Then she placed her blackened hant
ON his shoulder. How he tremblet
under that touch,
| 81 don't feel as If l could bear {,
have you leave US, DAN" There wal
tender pleading In her tones.
'The dangers over, Rachel" he re
assured her, "and l must ride all thu
way to Westfield before daybreak."
why to Westfieldf" she asked.
| Without word be pointed across
the blackened prairie toward his claim
Only a mass of smoking ruins mark
ed the place where his house and stable
had been. She understood.
You left all you had to come to us
| Dan," she said, with a sob. Now yor
i have nothing left. Without your hell
everything here. even our lives. would
have been sacrificed. oh, Dan, the light
Of that fire has given me a sight of my
own heart see that the true life foI
l. n -