Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-01-08
CHAPTER xvI-con.inued.

CHAPTER xvI-continued-
go onl Good dogr' cried Mr..
Stagg. Lead the way TO Hannah's
CarlynT
BE heard the little girl screaming:
'Oh. Uncle joel Oh, Uncle Joe Here
We arew
Cherry ratified the blackboard down
20 The bottom of the hollow and
stopped. There was some smO>e here,
but not much. The man leaped to the
ground when he saw a figure rise up
from the foot of tree by the spring
a figure In brown.
"Joseph Thank Godi" murmured
Amanda.
The hardware dealer strobe to her.
3he had put out both her hands to
l.n. and he saw that they were trem-
bling. and that tears filed her great
brown eyes.
'Oh. joel" she said. 81 feared you
would come too latei"
but I'm here. Mandy, and I'm not
too late!" he cried; and somehow
neither of them could, perhaps, have
explained just hOw-his arms went
around her and her hands rested on
his shoulders. while she looked earn
estly into his face.
"Oh. Joe! joel" 1t was like a sur
rendering sob.
ITS not too late, Is 1t, Mandy Say
1T isn't too late!" he pleaded.
mo. it's not too late" she whiS-
pered. Tiff we're not too old"
"Old!" almost shouted Joseph Stage.
81 don't remember of ever feeling so
young as do right now!' and sud
denly he stopped and kissed her.
BLESS me! what fools we've been all
this time ~
'Oh. Uncle Joel Oh. Miss Amanda !"
cried Carolyn May. standing before
them, and pointing with a rather grimy
index finger. you aren't mad at each
other any more. are you? Oh. / am so
her pleasure.
But the situation was too difficult to
allow OF much but practical thoughts.
where's the old woman?" asked Jo-
seph Stagg quickly.
Her husband came with a horse
and buggy late last night and took her
over to the new camp" was the reply.
1.-THE fire was coming into the camp
when l left. We must get out of here
In a hurry" declared Mr.. Stagg.
1--WE aren't going to be burned up
now, when Uncle Joe is here, Miss
Mandy" Carolyn May declared with
confidence. "See how nice he and
Prince found us? Why. they are regular
heroes, aren't .they?'
''They are. indeed, child" agreed the
woman. She turned to Joseph Stagg,
happiness shining in her eyes, and
looking prettier than ever before In
her life. he thodght.
The hollow was rapidly becoming
filled with smoke. The man did not
understand this. but it foreboded
trouble. He turned Cherry and the
blackboard around, and then he helped
Amanda into the seat.
up you go. too. Car'lyn May" he
said. lifting the little girl into the rear
If the blackboard.
seated himself by Amanda's side and
picked up the reins. The horse quick
ly retraced his steps up the hill to the
tote road. AS they came out into this
broader path they saw the smoke pour
ing through II In choking cloud.
"Oh. joe" gasped Amanda, "lt's
comingi"
ut surely is" agreed the hardware
merchant Were in hot corner, my
girl. But trust to me-"
"Oh. ] do. Joel" she exclaimed.
squeezing his arm. 81 am sure you
know what is best to do"
'I'll try to prove that So" he said
with subdued chuckle.
"Oh. Uncle joel" cried Carolyn May
suddenly. cant we get out of this
awful smoke? lit chokes mel"
''Wait," whispered Amanda to the
nan. III lift her over the back of