The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1919-02-14
CHAPTER xvI-contInued.

lie heard the little girl screaming
"Oh, Uncle joel On, Uncle Joe Here
we arei"
Cherry ratified the blackboard down
20 the bottom Of the hollow and
stopped. There was some smoke 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.
"Josephl Thank GodI" murmured
Amanda.
The hardware dealer strobe to 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 latel"
"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 shoulders, while she looked earn.
estly into his face.
"Oh, Joel Joel" II was like a sur
rendering sob.
"It's not too late, is II, Mandy? Say
1t isn't too latei" he pleaded.
mo, it's not too late" she whis-
pered. Tiff we're not too old"
"Oldl" almost shouted Joseph Stage.
~ don't remember of ever feeling so
young as / do right now!" and sud-
denly he stopped and kissed her.
"Bless mel what fools we've been all
this timei"
"Oh, Uncle joel Oh, Miss Amanda !"
cried Carolyn May, standing before
them, and pointing with rather grimy
index finger. "You aren't mad at each
other any more. are you? Oh, am so
glad so glad" and her face showed
her pleasure.
But the situation was too difficult to
allow Of much but practical thoughts.
where's the old woman?" asked Jo-
seph Stage quickly.
'sHer husband came with a horse
and buggy late last night and took her
over to the new camp" was the reply.
"The fire was coming into the camp
when left. We must get out of here
In a hurry" declared Mr.. Stage.
Eve aren't going to be burned up
now, when Uncle Joe is here, Miss
Mandy" Carolyn May declared with
confidence. "See hcw 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 Stage
happiness shining In her eyes, and
looking prettier than ever before In
her life, he thought.
The hollow was rapidly becoming
filled with smoke. The man did not
understand this. but 1t foreboded
trouble. He turned Cherry and the
blackboard around, and then he helped
Amanda into the seat.
Sup you 60, too, Car'lyn May" be
said. lifting the little girl into the rear
Of the blackboard.
Joseph Stage felt very serious as he
seated himself by Amanda's side and
picked up the reins. The horse quick
ly retrnced his steps up the hill to the
tote road. As they came out into this
broader path they saw the smoke pour
Ing through 1t in a choking cloud.
"Oh. joe" gasped Amanda, ats
ccmingl"
"It surely Is" agreed the hardware
merchant. "We'rc In hot corner, my
girl. But trust to me-"
"Oh, I do, Joep she exclaimed,
squeezing his arm. II am sure you
know what is rest to do"
"rIl try to irpve that So" he said
with subdued thnckle.
"Oh. Uncle Joel" cried Carolyn May
suddenly. "can't we get out Of this
awful smoker lit chokes mep
"wait," whispered Amanda to the
man. "rl 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
Ne held In the nervous Cherry for
moment till the change was accom-
pnshed.
The roaring of the FIRE grew louder
and louder in their ears.
Suddenly Joseph Stagg dragged
cherry's head around. The hose
snorted and hesitated. for the smo'e
was binding him.
II pretty near missed these forks
Exclaimed the hardware merchant
This left road takes us toward the
lake"
@Oh, Joe, can we reach itr whis-
pered Amanda.
swe've got tor he returned grimly.
IT'S three miles. II It's an Inch. but
Cherry has got to make It."
They were relieved after minute or
two n this new road. The smoke had
DOT 90 completely filed It. But 1t was
q rouEher way. and the blackboard
bounced until Carolyn May cried out
On fear.
They drove over . little hillock that
raised them higher than the tote road
lad done. Amanda clutched Mr..
Btagg's arm again and uttered halr-
nifed -ohIs