The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-01-30
CHAPTER xvi-continued.

ldr IynI
He heard the little girl screaming:
''Ch. Uncle Joe. Oh. Uncle Joe Here
we arei"
Cherry ratified the blackboard down
TO che bottom Of the hollow and
stopped. There was some smoke here.
but not much. The man Ieaped to the
ground when he saw a figure rise up
from the foot Of tree by the spring
. figure In brown.
"Joscph! Thank God!" murmured
Amanda.
The hardware dealer sfrode 10 her.
She had put out both her hands to
him, and he saw that they were trem-
bling, and that tears filled her great
brown eyes.
"Oh. joel" she said. II feared you
would come too later
'But I'm here. Mandy, and I'm not
too later he cried; and. somehow
neither Of them could. perhaps, have
explained Just how--his arms went
around her and her hands rested on
his shoui6ers. while she looked earn
estly into his face.
"Oh. joel Joei" II was like sur
rendering sob.
'It's not too late, In II, Mandyi Say
II isn't too latei" he pleaded.
mo. It's not too late" she whis-
pered. "If--if we're not too old"
'Oldi" almost shouted Joseph Stagg.
II don't remember of ever feeling no
young as I do right nowi" and sud-
denly he stopped and kissed her.
"BIcss me! what fools we've been all
this timei"
"Oh, Uncle Joel Oh, Miss Amanda 7"
cried Carolyn May. standing before
them. and pointing with rather grimy
index finger. You aren't mad at each
other any more. are youf Oh, am no
glad no gladl" and her face showed
her pleasure.
But the situation was too difflcult to
allow Of much but practical thoughts.
sWhsre's the old womanr asked Jo-
seph Stage quickly.
"Her husband came with Q horse
and buggy late last night and took heI
over to the new camp" WIS the reply
'sThe fire was coming into the camT
when left. We must get out Of hers
IN q hurry" declared Mr.. Stage.
I'VE 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 usl Why. they are reg'lar
heroes. aren't theyf"
'They are, indeed, child" agreed the
woman. She turned to Joseph Stagg,
happiness shining In her eyes. and
looking pretticr than ever before In
her life. he thought.
The hollow was rapidly becoming
filled with smoke. The man did moi
understand this. but Il forebodet
trouble. Hc turned Cherry and ths
blackboard around. and then he helpet
Amanda Into tho seat.
''Up you 70. too. Car'lyn May" hi
said, lifting the little girl Into the real
Of the blackboard.
Joseph Stagg felt very serious as hi
seated himself by Amanda's side and
picked up the reins. The horse quick
u Pstraced his steps up the hill to the
tote road. As they came out Into this
broader path they saw the smoke pour
ting through It In q choking cloud.
'Oh. Joe," gasped Amanda. 'it's
scomingi"
1T surely is," agreed the hardware
merchant. "We're In hot corner. my
Gtrl. But trust to me-"
"Oh, ! do. joel" she exclaimed.
squeezing his arm. Il am sure you
know what is best to do"
"Tll try to prove That so.- he said
with q subdued chuckie.
"Oh. Uncle Joel" cried Carolyn May
suddenly. "can't we get out OF this
awful smoker lit chokes mel"
"Wait," whispered Amanda to the
man. "Tll lift her over the back of
the seat. think she had better be In
my lap"
"P'r'aps that's so." he agreed, and
he held In the nervous Cherry for q
moment till the change was accom-
plished.
The roaring Of .he flre grew louder
and louder In their ears.
Suddenly Joseph Stagg dragged
Cherry's head around. The horse
snorted and hesitated. for the smoke
was binding him.
II pretty near missed these forks r.
exclaimed the hardware merchant.
This left road takes us toward the
lake."
'Oh. Joe. can we reach itr whis-
pered Amanda.
"we've got to-" he returned grimly.
tits three miles. II It's an inch. but
Cherry has got TO make It."
They were relieved after minute or
two In this new road. The smoke had
not so completely filed It. But It was
. rougher way. and the blackboard
bounced until Carolyn May cried out
In fear.
They drove over little hillock that
raised them higher than the tote road
had done. Amanda clutched Mr..