Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-09-27

'a .S ,rbere It turned closely along th'
,aso Of the swamp, he plunged boldl,
,s,o the woods, directly toward th'
n.mes and Peter, even more eager thar
:. ron ahead, peering to right ant
80, for signs OF the cabin which now
I'D not be far away. The roar ant
~. cracklipg we're now ominously neal
..d The flames seemed to be all about
.hou while the treetops seemed to be
s,,od with flaming brands. Sparks and
,,ro cinders fell upon them and the hot
tr,otb Of the wind blistered them with
It's heat.
Suddenly the painting Shad grasped
poter sharply by the arm with his un-
injured hand.
"Tbe cabin! My God! It's burning
rov--Quick, mister-or--'
PETER sprang forward through the
aom;ng leaves. He seemed to be in the
n.rv midst OF the flames. Blinded and
,unocatcd by the smoke, Peter plunged
,orward and reached the cabin. One
ind and side Of II was blazing furiously.
hut he dashed around the lower end Of
q seeking the door. It was open and
.lready ahame. The hut was empty. He
ron ont again, blinded by the smoke
and glare Was 1t a FOOLS errand? And
had he and Shad only entrapped them
selves to no good end? To the right of
him the fire roared, and with his back to
tbe glare his eyes eagerly sought the
shadows down the wind. Vague shapes
of gnarled branches and pallid tree
trunks. spectral bushes quivering be-
fore the advancing demon, some Of them
already alight. Snfcty lay only In this
one iirection-for Beth, if she had
been there, for Shad---- Peter suddenly
remembered the lumbcrman and turned
10 his left to look. when suddenly he
espied a figure moving away from him
and ran after 1t, calling. He realized
Immediately that his hoarse cry was
lost in the inferno Of the flames, but
he ran more rapidly, beating out the
rmbers which had ignited the sleeve Of
lis shirt.
He saw the figure clearly now. but
Il was not Shnd-for Shad had been in
bis shirt sleeves. This figure wore a
coat and stumbled away half bent. one
orm over its head, pushing something
some one ahead of It. Peter drew his
revolver. lcaping the burning leaves and
calling aloud
He saw the figures ahead of him halt
and turn as they heard his voice and the
glare behind him shone full upon them.
the face of the man agape with in
famed surprise-Hawk Kennedy's. and
the other. wide led as at the sight of
an ppnrition-Beth'
a. ~ Al.
when Hawk Kennedy fired. Peter heard
BethS scream and saw her strike ut the
mans arm. but furiously he swung her
in from Of him and fired again. But her
struggles and the uncertain light sent
the bullet wide. Peter did not dare TO
shoot, for the man was using her as n
shield, but he did not hesitate and ran
in. trusting to luck and Bcth's strug-
gcs One bullet struck him somewhere
ns Beth seemed to stumble and crumplc
to the ground, but he went on unspcnr
md catapulted into his man with n
rush that sent them both sprawling into
the smoldcrng foliage. Blinded by the
smoke. but mad with fury. Peter struck
and Clutchcd, and Hawks lust shot
went upward. for Peter wrcnched his
wrist and then struck him full on the
head with his own weapon.
He felt the man relax and slim down
into 'he dust and smoke, where he lay
| motiOnlCss.
Peter drew himself up to arm 8
length wondering at the fccblencss Of
his muscles and the trouble with his
breathing.
Beth" he gasped. frantically,
searching the smoking ground her her.
all
just at his ear and an arm went around
his neck.
"Beth' Beth! You've got to get out
Of this"
Come, Pcter-there's time"
Just then branch crashed down Just
beside them. showering them with
sparks
Come. Peter-come :" she cried.
he struggled up with an effort, one
hand cutching at his breast
sake, go!'
Beth stared Mt him for one short ter
tloe moment as she realized what had
happened to him.
Peter You-you 're-"
Isn't much"
He swayed, but she caught him and
put an arm around one shoulder, clutch
ing It with the other hand.
Lean on me-" she muttered. "I'm
strong enough"
No-gO, Beth"
But she put her strength under him
and began walking while he staggered
on beside her. Sparks and fiery brands
,,aIhed down upon them, blistcring and
turning, inc hot breath of the furnace
Move their breath poisoned back into
@ ae,r lungs and scored their bodies. but
Sill they remained upright-and by a
miracle still moved on.
l., TO the left" Peter heard di,nIy
me swamp is close by"
al, ne oDCy"d her, more dead than alive,
anu Dy sheer effort of will kept his feet
~ walking as though in red fever. on
eaden feet. carrying a BODY that had
No weight or substance.
;. but after while his feet too seemed
grow llg hter and he felt himself fall
S ...u through space. But her arms were
SUI about him.
/ Lieter: he heard her voice in agony,
MY a few yards further"
s,,'th WIN last remaining effort he
tMuffseG ana then, his feet stumbling,
,ytt'eu yntt forward and sank into something
soti ti something deliciously cool and
him hi'",mg' Ing lie felt hand tugging at
nSa. out ne mad no pain now, no weak
SoSr only the perfect happiness Of
WY that, seeking rest. has found il
q, Alter while he revived at the sound
Sr,oa voice at his ear. Water was
mn prTn'"Snlng over his face and he struggled
voios Nso-keep down" he heard Beth's
wjnS Sf saying We're safe, Peter-the
,And you, Beth--?"
tcpc%sHl %l riight' dear. A little pa
The yoico tro,,tIoJ