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The full September moon shone
down upon a a3
little cabin on the
lighting
ung man and WO-
Prairies western Kansas,
ap the ces of a ¥
aman who were
dow ih e hefore
1." the man
owly walking up and | I
the door.
L wa ¢
said. trong. beautiful | 1
¥u “when I heard | -
“voming moun-
1 were coming |
were coming to
for. Rachel.
o
SO,
3 ! toward the girl
20 Hi, t of his avowal on
her.
But Ba liei vv
gion.
She merely turned her dark eyes
from the man’s eager face and looked
off across the moonlit prairie.
“I've been working and waiting, Ra-
cbel,” he continued, his voice husky
with feeling, “until I had something
¢o offer you. I was sure you wouldn't
xlve up teaching for just anything—
you're not that kind.
“But I've loved you ever since two
years ago, when we all came out to
these prairies together in our covered
wagons. | remember, after we were
here, how.bravely you worked to help
your parents get started off comfort-
ably before you went with your uncle
to Wyoming to teach that ranch
wmchool.”
“Dan,” she exclaimed almost sternly,
«J haven't ceased to remember our old
house, which father lost on that se
«curity debt, the house we were forced
%o leave when we came here! Mother
and 1 were not very brave, for we'
shed tears most of the way, though no;
one knew it. We came because it was’
the only thing to do, but this pioneer
iife is a hard, hard one.
“In my heart I am at war with it
and always have been. It takes away
youth and kills all high and noble am-
ditions. See how mother has aged dur
fing the two years we have lived here.
It makes me bitter. That's why I go
back to teach. I'm’ going to make
enough to take them away from this
Hee.” 3
“But, Rachel,” he pleaded, “you shall
mever work as your mother has had to.
1 promise it.” Then, suddenly, with a
catch in his voice, “Say, girlie, there's
mo truth in the report about your car-
‘tng for that rich Wyoming ranchman?”
“Mr. Miles has been very kind to
me,” she answered without pretending
mot to understand. “He has offered to
fet father and mother have the lovely
Mome he owns in Denver if T'll marry
fim. It would be an ideal place for
them to end their days in.”
“My God, girlie!" I couldn’t stand it
¢0 Bee you the wife of another!” the
young man cried, his strong frame
shaken with emotion.
“You mustn't care so much, Dan,”
she returne . tender pity for his suf-
fering malin her tones kind. “Get
iiton betrayed no emo-
a better © share your home—one
who cuough to make the
“el!” he answered,
e only you. If
ay heart and see
i surely care just
a Lb. Your ranchman, rich
as he is. ~ver love you as I do,
Rachel! Nevor!”
“J couldn’t love eny man well enough
to give up all I enjoy and settle dowa
to this isolated life, this continual
treadmill of drudgery,” she retorted,
turning away; then in a milder tone.
“Forget me, Dan.”
Forget her! That he would never
do—he never could. There was a time
—it was when they lived in their cov-
ered wagons and camped at night by
the trall; yes, and even after they
were settled here—that he had thought
whe cared for him.
Those had been the happiest days in
Bouthard’s life. He had never dream-
«ed that she hated those free, rolling
prairies so intensely.
Blind to this, he had been toiling on
his new claim to get things in good
shape before asking her to marry him.
Bitterly now he felt that it was all
Rabor lost, for without Rachel Winton
mothing was worth while.
After gazing at the girl a moment in
silent reproach Southard walked over
#0 his tethered horse, mounted and
xode away.
The moon climbed higher as Rachel
stood looking after the vanishing
Sorseman.
“Poor Dan!” she murmured. “He
48 so strong and good. Father and
another love him like a son, but I just
can’t, can’t!” And the tears gathered
4m her eyes.
“] was intended for something bet-
ar £71 wasn't why should I dislike
~ » rough, wavs of pioneer life
£ ein. 1
s th: ou ou her lips Rachel
¢ nip oe’ ge -abin, where her
2 TI8 w- arendy asleep, and
mUug uy aer .-
For a lon. ..ue she lay awake, her
smind, much against her will, busy com-
pearing young Southard and Mr. Niles.
Dan’s clear cut but somewhat boyish
face lost nothing by comparison with
drudgery of the prairie farm; with the
other,
wherever she might choose herself and
also give her parents a comfortable
grew
she
quite free.
vy | what sense she could command, trying
to discover the cause of the odor that
was gaining in strength and stifling
| mined the small window.
noofs on the prairie road.
«d with awful import.
Jet up!
; mn fire!”
. seemed as if the whole world was ar-
Life with one meant the unceasing
wealth to enable her to live
1011€.
But which of the men held the key
o her heart?
Really ste couid not tell, but she
drows: making herself believe
would be able in any event to
-ompel her mind with its power of
uldging wisely to coutrol her heart.
Toward midnight she was aroused
yy a strange pungent smell pervading
er littie room. Her breathing was not
wwhat could it mean?
She lay for a minute dazed, yet with
ower,
Suddenly a great crimson light illu-
With a
juick movement Rachel sprang from
eld, and as she did so there came to
ser ears the rapid beat of a horse's
Then she heard Dan's voice burden-
“Mr. Winton!
The prairie is
“Rachel!” he called.
Get up quick!
“Father! Mother!’ the girl ‘called,
running to their bed. “Get up! Do
you hear? There is a big fire. Yes,
Dan,” she called from the window as
she helped her mother to dress.
‘“There’s not a minute to lose,” South-
ard called back. “The fire is sweeping
this way as fast as a strong wind can
bring it.”
There had been no rain for three
weeks, and everything was as dry as
tinder.
The Wintons understood the terrible
danger impending.
Not only the cabin, but stock, crops,
even they themselves, were at the mer-
cy of those leaping flames,
“Bring the blankets, quick!” shouted
Southard. Qbeying him instantly,
Rachel dragged every blanket out of
the house.
Dan had ridden his horse to the little
spring in the hollow and was rapidly
filling every pail he had been able to
find about the place.
Acting under his directions. the girl
mounted her father's pony, &-3} she
and Dan carried water for Mr. and
Mrs. Winton to wet the blankets, this
being their only means of fighting the
fire.
How they worked and fought!
It
rayed against them, and all the while
the moon looked down. cold and un-
caring, while the fire swept fiercely on-
ward until it caught in a row of dry
cornstalks that reached nearly to the
cabin. Here the battle must be fought |
with renewed energy.
The smoke of the burning grass and
grain assailed their nostrils, scorched
theit throats and blinded their eyes,
but with hands torn and blistered they
toiled on. 3 y
When the old couple fell back over-
come Dan and Rachel took their places
with the heavy wet blankets and work-
ed side by side. Inch by inch they beat
back the angry flames.
Even in that terrible situation the
girl felt a singular strength and cool-
pess in working by Southard’s side.
She felt that the enemy must yield to
such grand and compelling superiority.
When the fire attacked them from
another vulnerable point it was Dan’s
exhaustless energy that saved the day.
By sacrificing a patch of ripe grain,
through a prompt back fire, the foe
was met and made to recoil in wrath-
ful flames upon itself.
After a time the great body of the
fire swept away northward, having
consumed everything of the Wintons’
except cabin and stock.
With a thankfulness in their hearts
for the preservation of these, the old
couple entered the house and threw
themselves upon the floor.
Then Southard and Rachel came back
with weary, lagging feet from their
last successful onslaught.
“Everything's safe now, Rachel,” he
said huskily, starting toward his horse.
“Dan,” she questioned, a queer chok-
ing in her throat, “you are not going
now?”
He stopped and looked at her. She
had never appeared more beautiful to
him than now, with the marks of that
great fire battle upon her face and
tattered dress.
“All we have left we owe to you,
Dan,” she went on, noting his scorched
face, bleeding hands and burned cloth-
ing.
Then she placed her blackened hand
on his shoulder. How he trembled
under that touch!
«I don’t feel as if I could bear to
have you leave us, Dan.” There was
a tender pleading in her tones.
“The danger's over, Rachel,” he re-
assured her, “and I must ride all the
way to Westfield before daybreak.”
“Why to Westfield?” she asked.
Without 4 word he pointed across
the blackened prairie toward his claim.
Only a mass of smoking ruins mark-
ed the place where his house and stable
had been. She understood. ;
“You left all you had to come to us,
Dan,” she said, with a sob. “Now you
have nothing left. Without your help
everything here, even our lives, would
have been sacrificed. Oh, Dan, the light
of that fire has given me a sight of my
own heart! I see that the true life for
me is right here, and if you'll let me
I'll help you make another home.”
“Rachel !” he cried. “You can’t mean
it! Do you really love me?”
“I bav= loved you all the time, my
| knight of the prairies,” she answered
| as his strong arms gathered her to his
breast.
A time came when the home was re-
that of the bearded, middle aged ranch-
quan who had been wooing her per-!
agistently for the past year.
built and all the other property re-
stored. The pair lived a new sud a
| different life.
THE
JOU|
Saturday, Dec. 23rd
“Liberty” Episode No. 14
“A Modern Joa of Arc”
Featuring Marie Walcamp and Eddie Polo.
The Serial Every one is Coming to See.
“Her Chance’’ and “Motor Mat and His Eliv.”
6 REELS
Monday, Dec 25th
A treat for the little ones and a treat for every
|
one who attends our Matinee Xmas afternoon. |
change of program in the evening. You will not see |
the same pictures in the evening that you saw in the
afternoon. Every gentleman will receive a Sc cigar. |%
“The Shielding Shadow”
Will be shown in the evening,
and evening.
Ritchie.
Matinee 2 to 5 PP. M.
Get in early
A good 2 reel comedy featuring Billie
Evening, open 6:30, show 7:00
also a feature in afternoon
and avoid the rush,
Tuesday, Dec. 26th
“i he Emerald Pin”
A story of a society girl entrapped in the meshes of a
modern evil, featuriug Roberta Wilson.
Irma in Wonderland. A Capable Lady Cook
Arist vill sym baer: ; :
.See the mee Christina presents you can buy
| 3
3 50c to $8.00 Johnst ris and Reymers
I Ly : Thi RODASK P.rfam= and Toilet Articles
is wi makes a - fr
very nice present for j 25¢ to $15.00
| anv one a bottle
Columbi. Grafonolas
Stop and look at a real
A talking machine, the
Grafonola, and hear the
COUR OICHD Q 1 OL rs FALURIRC
istmas
|
Ch:
BE a
nd
Dto my store
CIGARS
In nice boxes
BOX CANDIES
30c to $5.00
world's greatest singers,
Lazaro, tenor, and Marie
Barientos, soprano.
F. B. THOMAS
LEADING DRUGGIST
MEY ERSDALE, PENNA.
Wednesday,
Dec. 27th
“The Grip of Evil”
Featuring Jackie Saunders and Roland Bottomley
“Into The Pit”
‘Circustantial Guilt’
An astounding m stery drama Featuring Burton
: Law and Jack Nelson.
“Lost in Babylon” and “How Do You Feel?” Comedies.
P
Thursday, Dec. 28th
Another of those features every one is talkrng about,
‘The Lost Lode’
A stirring drama of conspiracy and a girl's pluck, feartu-
ring Florence LaBadie and Edith Johnson.
“The Janitor’s Vendetta’ Comedy.
Friday, Dec. 29th
‘Should She
A dramtised story of a social outcast, a man’s honor end a woman’s
secret, with George Beranger, Edward Heain and Ruth Clifford. Don’t
miss this production. Three Parts.
¥ you want to make a
‘Christmas present to
your friends that will be
long remembered and give
the best satisfaction come
to our store.
We have a full line of
Boys Sleds, Wagons,
Skates, Tool Boxes, etc. |
Keen Kutter Pocket Knives, Shears, Safty Razors,
Blade Razors and Ender and Pen Safty Razors. Carving
Sets, Keen Kutter Knives and Fcrks Aluminum Ware,
American Model Builders, and many other useful articles
that would make some one happy. a
WE HAVE THEM
: The Meyersdale
Hardware and Supply.
Have Told’
| Saturday,
“Liberty” Episode No. 15
Universal Magazine No 1
. “When He Came Home”
Dec, 30th
iLegend of Fyvie Castle.
F'yvie castle, in Scotland, has a cele-
brated ghost. It seems that one of
the lords of Fyvie, early in the castle's
history, captured among other prison-
ers a little drummer boy, and because
the boy refused to perform his office
for the enemy he was thrust into hie
own drum and thrown off the battle-
ments of the castle. Ever since that
time whenever a member of the fam-
{ly is going to die the young drum-
mer sounds a warning by drumming
through the long corridors of the cas-
tle. This is only one of many cele--
brated Scotch ghosts.
Literary Inference.
“Who wrote ‘The heights by great
men reached and kept were not at-
tained by sudden flight, but they while
thelr companions slept were toiling up-
ward in the night? ”
“I dunno. Must have been some poet
who hadn’t heard about the eight hour
day.”—Washington Star.
Not Aeking Much,
“] presume you hope fortune will
smile on you some day.” remarked the
cheery individual.
“No,” replied the pessimistic man.
“I’m so tired of her frowns that I
would be satisfied if she simply gave
me a noncemmittal look.”’—Spokane Re. |
view |
|
|
|
|
He who is firm and resolute in will
molds the world to himself. —Goethe,
(Continued from page one.)
for hire, or hackney coaches, were in-
troduced into London in 1625 and rap-
idly grew in popularity. Notwithstand-
ing the opposition of the king and:
court, who thought they would ruin
the roads, they grew to number over
800 by 1650. In Paris they were in-
troduced during the minority of Louis
XIV. by Nicholas Sauvage, who lived
in the Rue St. Martin at the sign of
St. Fiacre, from which circumstance
hackney carriages in Paris have since
been called “flacres.” By 1694 there
were over 700 of thesd conveyances in
London.—Argonaut.
(Continued from page one.)
he went abroad in such a way as to
prevent his directing affairs he might
well be held to have disabled himself,
and the vice president might act for
him in his absence.—Willlam Howard
Taft in Youth’s Companion.
Her Old Habit.
Me@um—Ah, I bear the knocking of
your late wife! Patron—That so?
‘Who's she knockin’ now ?—Puck.
How apt men are to hate those they \
injure !—Fielding.
Children Cry
FOR FLETCHER'S
CASTORIA
Ay NN NP ND ND
eS
A Little Red Bank Book
for a Christmas Gift.
Useful Gifts is the Christmas Shopping
Slogan this year,
What gift more useful than a Savings
Account? What gift shows more thoughtful-
ness on the part of the giver or more flatter-
ingly demonstrates the faith in the recipient’s
possibilities and character?
Make it a happy Yuletide, for the young-
sters—helpful, instructive, and habit-forming.
ONE DOLLAR DOES IT.
May we help?
The Citizens National Bank
‘The Bank With The Clock With The Million”
A Il PPP
PAA ANAS ed NSIS
lim dis Paya bea tes
Mor
Subscribe for the Commercial
VOL. X
"WORK!
CoM
Decision of
Makes R:
Compensatic
James W. Le
the case of 1
a
a
¥
Fla:
%
££
{
Run against tl
pany, has ma
_ caused wides
which is belie
of the most 1
so far handed
pensation: law
view of Mr. L
- get forth in t
“The decis
+ Leech of the
“tion board, in
Mary Watson
‘claim for the
in a mine of t
pany, takes tl
demnity out o
technicality a
social © obliga
ored bar of ne
or eriminal ne
fellow-servant,
by this opin
Leech and the
tion law brou;
public mind he
enacted. The
son case decl
from liability
takes his own
the act of ano
sonal reasons
“against him b
ment.
“Watson lo:
explosion of o
into and secre
~ he worked. TI
+» and Commissi
He man’s act:
red other th:
was no eviden
take his own
says, and whi
gross ‘and “wi
+mine code ar
z NAC Tie
eliminated as
"the man ki
man. - *
“In other we
compensation
W ject of the c
provide for th
trial workers k
y calling. Depen
der one cond
makes no diff
little children
er it was thro
of a fellow-w
protect by th
The big facts
winner is dead
and orphans n
either through
by charity.
“Since the
is charged ag
same as any ot
indirectly by =
- sumers, the or
Leech goes st
things by dec
more reason W
fenses should
tion.”
It is interes
to announce
board now has
ing all: decisio
enforcement «
ume will con
arguments, et
the rulings tI
to be in great
neys. The bo
the state prin
the next few
stood. ;
Lost Sha
Durant |
When you
convince his
proper. to foll
sure sign thal
gether a succs
Now Is the F
. From the |
The only re
ter is the det
gens to have
Boston Bar]
Boston sal
doned for fee
on “Billy” Su
“The movi
deal for me.”
big salaried a
almost 'as wel
turer.— Louis
I
By J. J. Mont
Mr. Bryan
braska, Neb:
some time ag