The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-16
THE TINES RICHMOND VA. SUNDAY FEBRUARY 10. 1895

past, they had for years been dependent
upon their own Efforts for amusement
the household having scant time for play
But n change had come suddenly.
change greeted By them with rapturous
delight. Mary Eliza was exhibiting
most unusual fondness for the society
of her younger brethren. and had inau-
gurated n species OF play which they re-
ceiycd with pleasure not unmiXed with
awe. The nursery was turned into nos
pital, and their sister, with the utmost
diligence and CELEBRITY. attended TO case
atter'case. now putting Fred 10 bod with
| a compound fracture Of the leg. or i@nd-
ing mp Johnnie's wounds in what seemed
to him terribly realistic manner Again,
Fred was requested to fall from a house
top. represented by a chair. and. Mary
Eliza, after viewing his margiFi remains
with scientific delight. proceeded TO band
age him with yards OF linen procured
surreptitiously from the mending bas-
ket: or an imaginary cable car dashed
wildly into Johnnie, and his injuries. too.
required the greatest skill ana careful
handling, the victim moaning feeblv
meanwhile. one rarely saw the bows
without bandage Of some kind adorn-
ing them, which they feared to remove
lest the fascinating games should cease
"A.
joke. and the girl came in for the usual
amount OF teasing. but Mrs Deppish
would not let them run her too hard. and
upon one occasion even her father inter-
posed ana uttered few words of COM
mendation. which made the heart OF
Mary Eliza bound with j0y How she
ionged TO put her newly acquired knowl-
edge 20 proof and command the respect
iul admiration Of those skepucal hreth-
rem. And the long waited for opnortuni-
~ came az last. During game of plav
az recess, one OF her school fellows brush
ell carelossly close 20 the blazing logs
upon the hearth, and in "a moment her
dress was ON fire. Some Of the girls turn
ed faint az the sight, others rushed in
terror from her, screaming wildly. Tho
material being rather heavy. burned
slowly, but as the nanic-strickcn girl
rushed wildly down the long hail. che
blaze famed by the draft began 10
wfeathe itself about her. one of the
teachers, i'm answer TO the calls. ran
quickly out upon the upper landing and
paused for moment FOO hOrrinel indie
cision. During that pause. Mary Eliza
Deppish entered the han from the lower
end, took i'm the situation az a glance. and
catching up a large oriental rug from
the floor. ran towards the almost frantic
girl, envclOping her in its folds. the force
of the contact throwing them both tO the
floor IL was over before the teacher
could reach them. and only the smoke
and the smell of the burning fabric re-
manned 10 toll OF what might have been
so horrible. When the girls We're un-
tangled from the folds OF the ring. it was
Mary Eliza who restored the hall-faint-
ing girl TO consciousness, and tcndcriy
ministcrod 10 her injuries. which were
fortunately but slight Jennie, siih hale
crazed from pain and fright. chung 10
her prcseryer and broke into a 90 of hy-
steiical weeping whenever an attempt was
made TO separate them. so Mary Eliza,
although her own nerves were quiverng
from the strain. and she longed for Is
chance % put her head on her mothers
shoulder TO Doc pettcd into Quicncss.
bravcy pat aside her own WISHES and
consented TO take Jennie home, which
they reached after a short drive. during
which the uunerved girl stil shivcring
with terror. clung about her neck As
the carriage stopped 40 the door if was
opened quickly and an elderly gentleman
came hurriedly down the steps. gazing
with wonder upon the two pale, dishevel-
led figures. As Mary Eliza met his eyes
rosy blush spread over her face and
her own eyes sparNled with pleasure.
why what is the matter2' DE cried.
'it looks as though you both required my
services" and turning back he lod the
way into his private office. AS Jennie
az sight Of him, had again burst into a
paroxysm OF weeping it fen 90 Mary
ELIAS lot TO describe the accident. whi.n
she did as briefly as possible. mOdcsuy
suppressng her own part in the affair
He turned pale at the recital. and gath
cred Jennie into his arms as though he
would never let her 20 again. Thank
God. my child, you were saved
And she saved me. grandfather" Jon-
ME sobbei. III it had not been for her
/ would have been burned 90 death"
Then it was you vino threw the rug
over her?' ne asked, looking keeuly at
Mary Eliza.
''Yes. SIR she answered briefly.
THAT was brave OF YOU. my child"
"It was only my duty. sir" was the
quiet reply. lie was, while speaking. ex-
| aiming as 10 the extent of Jcnuic's iu-
juries, and while doing go, turned again