ourney, hung on the handle of
the windlass at the newly sunk well. The dried lumps of blue clay heaped
themselves about the new pine curb and the young man stumbled awkwardly
over the sunbaked clods as he reached for his coat. As he turned back
toward the wagon an exclamation of dismay escaped him. The storm had
gathered so rapidly that the boiling clouds could be plainly seen now
above the tops of the ragged trees which surrounded the place. Instead of
waiting to put the coat on, Luther flung it into the back of the wagon,
and, climbing hastily over the hub, turned the horses and drove them into
the open road. One glance after they were free from the grove was enough.
With a shout, he stood up, urging the horses into a gallop.

Boiling like smoke from the stack of a rapidly moving locomotive, the
storm bore down upon the level Kansas prairie. Not a sound was heard
except a dull roar from the north. Urging the horses to their utmost
efforts with voice and threatening gestures, Luther looked back at the
girl on the spring seat reassuringly.

"We're makin' good time, Lizzie," he shouted, "but I'm afraid You'll get
th' starch took out of that purty dress. I never thought of this when I
brought you."

Elizabeth, clinging to the backless spring seat with both hands, smiled
back at him. It was only a storm, and at best could only soak their
clothes and hair; but to Luther more than that was indicated.

As they rounded the corner and turned toward the north, a sudden puff of
wind jerked the shapeless straw hat from Luther's head and sent it
careening dizzily over the stubs of the hay field at the right. Hats cost
money, and Luther pulled up the galloping horses. Hardly waiting to see
whether Elizabeth caught the lines he flung to her, he sprang to the
ground and gave chase. The hat rolled flat side down against a windrow and
stuck, so that it looked as if it were to be captured, but before he
reached it the wind, which had now become a steady blow, caught it, and as
the only loose thing of its size to be found, played tag with its owner.
At last he turned back, gasping for breath and unable to lift his head
against the blast.

A fleeting glimpse of Elizabeth standing up in the wagon was all that he
got, for a blinding flash of lightning split the sky from north to south,
followed by a terrific crash of thunder. Half stunned, he fell into the
deep rut of an old road crossing the hayfield at right angles to his
course.

A