Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-09-26

| Cne outside.
There was no time now to hesitnt
unless unless she wished to be burned alive
win an effort she threw hersel
against the door-again and again, bu
" would not yield Despairing an,
pplinded by smoke, she staggered to tn
Dox' hunting an AK, when her finger
met the handle of the friendly saw. |
was heavy, but she knew how to us
IT, ana set 1t at the hole in the wall
drawing it bnck and forth. The WOO
was dead and she felt it yield to tn
strong teeth of the tool, so that sh
Struggled on. the width Of the board
then cut again, at the upper edge o
the aDcrture, and in a moment til,
bon'd fell away.
as she crawlcd through the opening an,
fell exhausted on the outside, one enc
OF the building suddenly caught fire
blazing frrcelr. The sparks were al
around her md her skirt caught fire ir
me flaming leaves into which she had
lalen. but she put it out with her blis-
tcrcd hands and rose to her feet, 4
hgure wns coming toward her, bent
ltS hand before its eyes. She could not
make out who II was, but as she turned
TO run Hawk Kennedy cspied her.
no. there, kid. Got loose, hey:
Just IN time. Did ye think was goin'
to let .ye be burned to DEATH"
with !ricrly leading them TO the ma =
chlne and listening to Peters story as
th"y went. Peter made his way across
tne loot OF the lawn to the road where
the machine was waiting for them. As
th"y climbed into It. the glow to the
south had turned lurid red, staining
thc dusky sky to the zenith Briprlv
droN" ana for preCautiOn'S sake Peter
Iat IN the tonncau with Shad. But the
Iumborman. IL hc had ever been con
Sldercd formidable even in his own es-
tlmation. showed no evidence of onv
sell confidence. Peter had given him
signs of mettlc which were NOT +, be
denied, and like all bullies Shad knew
that he was bC0tCn. Tho one veStige OF
his deccncy-hiS honorable affection for
Beth, which had blinded him to rea-
~ and all sense of duty-was now
dcdicnted to the task Of saving her.
And though the duh hatred of Peter
still burned in his breast. the instinct
OF self preservation, and the chance of
retrieving himself at the last made 1t
necessary for him to put his pride in
his pocket and ncccpt the inevitable.
. yen keep yer word. mistcr?" he
INQUIRED Of Peter. after moment. 81
didn hav" nothin' to do with ecttin'
them woods. afirc. Ie'll get me out o
this scrape?"
Yes" said Potter shortly. "I will.
But he watched him nevertheless.
The x-Soldier drove the car at q
curious pace over the rough road. re-
l0lcinS in the open cut -out and the
rush o. the wind past his ears. lie had
Been, for time, a chauffeur of stat
car on the other side, and the present
conditions were full of promise of the
Kind OF excitement that appealed to his
youthful spirit.
Shad shouted instructions over his
shoulder, but Briefly only nodded and
sent the car on over tho corduroy 10
which they had come with the throttle
wide. Night had nearly fallen, but
the road was crimson track picked
out with long pencilings of shadow. The
wind was still tossing the treetops and
leaves and twigs cut sharply across
their faces. There was no mistakinS
the danger to the whole of the Lower
Reserve unless the wind fcll-a
''"rown' fire after two weeks of
drought was not a subject for jest.
But Peter was not thinking rf tho
"amagN TO Mrtiurr'S property. lie
roared questions eagerly Mt Wells as t.
the location Of the cabin with reference
to the prChahl" course of the flames
The man only shook his head dubiousIy
but il was plain that he was consider
ing that danger. AS they npared the
fire they could see the famcs clearly
now. beyond the pines just before them.
which were etched in deeply bitten
lines, every Quivering frond in sill
louctt" against the glare.
AS the car ncarcd the "Forks." Shad
directed Brierlr TO take the turn to the
Getaway from the main road 10
amp, and thCy swung into a sandy
'oad, the wind at their backs. thci"
way for time almost parallel to the
curse of the flames. They passed the
mall settlement of the "Forks." the
cw denizens of which were standing
beside the road. their few household
,oods packed in barrows and carts. un-
lCcided whether or not the red terror
would come their way. The flames were
learly visible now. lcaping skyward
ike devils freed from hell. and so hot
vas the fire and so high the wind that
whole branches were carried high into
he air and, flaming fell beyond into the
ool dark to kindle new destruction.
Anything that lay to lceward of the
holocaust was doomed. Peter furiously
Questioned Wells again, but he only
hook his head while he anxiously
watched the flames as the road con
'crged toward them. But as the road
wung to the left Shad shouted and held !
lp his hand and Briefly brought tie
ar to stop.
This is the nearest point. I guess, |
mister. From here on to Cranberry |
own the road runs to the left of Cedar
swamp"
"Whcrc's the cabin?" quCricd Peter
nxiously.
"In yonder, not far from the edge of
he swamp" Shad replied with n
rown. ''Looks like the fires pretty
ear there"
Come on. them" said Peter quickly.
'Brirrly, YOU go back to Black Rock |
nd bring the men here. Follow in. |
Ven be on the lookout for you"
And leaving Bricrly to turn the car.
e started off with Shad Wells into the
nderbrush. His heart sank as he saw
ow furiously tho fire Was raging and
ow near it scCplcd to be-. but Shad
erdcd no urging now and led the way
With n long stride. Peter following
loosely. Tho woods were not so heavy
ere and the forest was now as bright
: at midday. and so they made rapid
rogress, coming out at the end of some
linutcs at the edge of the swamp,
hose FURNISHED pools suIlcnly reflected
ne fiery heavens. There they found a
ath and proceeded more quickly. To
cter's anxious questions. Shad shook
is head and only pecred before him.
,rgetting his own suffering in the
readful danger to which the girl they
ought might be subjected. A terrible
lought had come into Peters mind in
lc last few moments--that it was