Beadle's Dime Novels No. 35: East and West — page 77: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE PRAIRIE ON FIRE. vid t “His master knows me as well,” replied Constance, haughtily, “yet I have no inclination for a further acquaint- ance.” “Can not you forgive me, Constance? Can not you believe that I am no longer the fool I was? I swear by every thing in earth or heaven that I never have ceased to regret my folly —that I now scorn it as you do.” “Do you imagine I am rich?” asked Constance, with a sarcastic smile. . “I will answer you, calmly, Constance. Jam in a fair way to be rich—and if I were not, should offer you what I had, without asking if you had any thing. Can not you believe me ?” : “Tt is not easy to change well-founded opinions,” replied Constance. at . “Farewell, then, till your opinions fave changed !” and swiftly mounting, Harry Stewart dashed off over the prairie, Seeing not and caring not whither. “ Oh, Constance, you were cruel, I am sure !” cried Minnie. “ Please don’t talk of it, Minnie ;—you can not understand “my feelings.” They had crossed the creek at the upper bridge, and were following its windings on the other side, when Minnie’s quick ear caught the crackling sound of flames. “The prairie’s on fire behind us!” On every side was grass, gTass, nothing but tall, dry grass, that burnt like tinder. The wind blew the flames right after them, and at a fearful rate ; while escape seemed impossible. Even the creek was separated from them by a marsh deep enough to sink them in. They tried to mount the pony together; but it would not carry double, and they only lost time by the effort. It was still two miles to the mill, and they should have to run, to jly, the whole distance, if they made good their escape. Constance still led the pony, fearful to let it go; for it . _ might yet be needed to save ene life. And so they ran as fast as their feet could move, $0 far as they could run; and still they had not advanced more than an eighth of a mile, before they could feel the hot air from the fire. Minnie knew there was nothing to stop its course before comlicbooks.com