Cheyenne Wells record., 1922-12-21
CHAPTER XVII

Bruce stood as II entranced. gazing
with awed face at the flaming tree.
There was little danger of the house
itself catching fire. The wind blew
the flame in the opposite direction:
besides, the rains were beating on the
roof. The fire In the great tree itself,
however, was too well started to be
extinguished at once by any kind Of
rainfall; but 1t did burn with less
fierceness.
Dlmly he felt the girls hand grasp
ing ut his arm. Her fingers pressed
until he felt pain. Ills eyes lowered
to hers. The sight of that passion
drawn face-recalling In an instant the
scene beside the camp fire his first
night at Trails End-called him to
himself. "ShoOt. you fool!" she
stormed at him. ''The trees lighted up
the whole countryside, and you can't
miss. Shoot them before they run
away"
He glanced quickly out. The clan
that had drawn within sixty yards OF
the house at the time the lightning
struck had been thrown Into confusion.
Their horses had been knocked down
by the force Of the bolt and were llee-
ing. riderless. away. The men followed
them, shouting, plainly revealed In the
light from the burning tree. The great
torch beside the house had completely
turned the tables. And Linda spoke
true; they offered the best Of targets.
Again the girls eyes were lurid slits
between the lids. Her lips were drawn,
and her breathing was strange. He
looked at her calmly.
"No, Linda. can't"
"You can't!" she cried. "Y0u cow
ard-you traitor! Klll-kill-kill then,
while there's time!"
She saw the resolve In his face, and
she snatched the rifle from his hands.
She hurled 1t to her shoulder and three
times fired blindly toward the retreat
Ing Turner's.
At that instant Bruce seemed to
come to life. His thoughts had been
clear ever since the tree had been
struck; his vision was straighter and
more far-reaching than ever In his life
too. He sprang toward the girl and
sntched the rifle from her hand. She
fought for 1t, and he held her with IA
strong arm. ....
"Wait-waIt, Linda" he said gently.
you've wasted three cartridges now.
There are only two left. And we may
need them some other time"
He held her from him with his arm
and 1t was as II his strength flowed
into her. Her blazing eyes sought
his. and for a long second their wills
battled. And then deep wonder
seemed to come over her.
"What Is it7" she breathcd. "Wha,
have you found out:'
She spoke In strange and distant
voice. Slowly the fire died in her eyes
the drawn features relaxed, her hands
fell at her side. He drew her away
from the lighted doorway, out of the
range Of any Of the Turner's tha,
should turn to answer the rifle fire
The wind roared over the house and
swept by in .clamoring fury, the elec
trlc. storm dimmed and lessened as /,
jOurneyed on.
These two knew thar II death spared
them in all the long passage Of theil
years, they could never forget that mo
ment. The girl watched him breath
lessly, oblivious to all things else. H.
seemed wholly unaware of her now
There was something aloof, impassive
Infinitely calm about him, and a great
| far-reaching understanding was In hi.
eyes. Her own eyes suddenly file,
with tears.
LINDA, there's something come t.
me-and don't know that can max,
vou understand. can only call I,
strength-a new strength and a great
.r strength than ever had before
IT'S something that the plne-tha
; grear tree that We Just saw split epel