When the bell started ringing that Sunday night, neither Lydia nor Duncan paid it any attention. Hours later Lydia woke with a start and realized that the bell was still pealing. She slipped on her robe and went to her window. The entire southern horizon glowed red. Startled, Lydia went straightway to rouse Duncan. “Wake up, darling. I think the fire is near us, Duncan.” She pointed to the bright red landscape outside their window. He looked briefly and then started pulling on his clothes.
“I’ll go outside and take a look. Get dressed just in case, sweetheart. We can go to Josie’s.”
Lydia was dressed and had her valise packed when he returned. “I hitched up the carriage. We need to go now. It seems to be headed this way.” Lydia took one last look around her cozy home. She had little more
